Naga Raksha mask
Throughout its history, Sri Lanka has been known as Taprobane, Ceylon and Lanka, names that reflect the island’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage. Mentioned in the Hindu epic Ramayana as the land of the demon Ravana, it has become a symbol of myths and beliefs that integrate animist practices with the dominant religion, Buddhism.
The ancestral use of masks, as powerful intermediaries between men and the supernatural, has deep cultural, spiritual and artistic roots. Three main types of masks can be distinguished: Sanni masks; Raksha masks and, lastly, the masks of the Kolam Theatre.
Each type of mask reflects a unique and complex aspect of Sri Lankan culture, but the Naga Raksha Mask, with its protective and transformative symbolism, occupies a prominent place in the museum’s collection.
This mask, despite its demonic appearance, does not have a malevolent nature; on the contrary, it symbolizes the principle of transformation and the duality between danger and sacred protection.
The Naga presents well-defined visual symbols, each with its own meaning. The snake hood represents divine knowledge, spiritual protection and immortality; the bulging eyes were designed to ward off evil and intimidate undesirable presences; the vibrant colours follow a chromatic code that refers to vital energy, spiritual strength, the process of purification and the dimension of latent danger; the extended tongue symbolizes constant vigilance, assertive communication and the revelation of truth without fear.
All of these attributes give the mask a ritualistic and protective role, reinforcing its function within symbolic practices in the Asian cultural context.
The masks are carved from Kaduru wood, a light but resistant material that is easy to carve and naturally repels insects. The wood is harvested during the last quarter of the moon and left to dry for weeks, depending on its thickness. After being carved, a natural resin or clay is applied to seal its surface and then painted with natural and mineral pigments.
