• Mexican masks can take virtually any form depending on their function.masks image by Vaida from Fotolia.com
  
  Mexican masks have a rich history, spanning back to the time when the continent was populated by the Mayans. These beautifully decorated masks have a variety of purposes, from commemorating rituals to celebrating holidays. In recent history, many Mexican masks are made out of fabric and used in sporting events.
  
  

Wrestling Masks

• In the Mexican style of wrestling, commonly known as "lucha libre," contestants don colorful masks that cover their entire faces and lace up along the back of their head. Frequently, these masks highlight their wrestling persona; an all-blue mask, for example, will usually become a signature part of that wrestler's identity, as in the case of the "Blue Demon." Most wrestling masks are made out of colorful fabric, with a zipper or laces at the back.
  
  

Dia de Los Muertos Masks

• Traditionally made from papier-mâché, Dia de los Muertos masks usually take the form of an exaggerated skull. An enormous amount of creativity can take place within this form, including the addition of flowers, gems and paint. The masks are used to commemorate the passing of the dead. The festival is not macabre, but rather aims to celebrate life and death. The masks, with their playful decorations and purposefully exaggerated features, are used to convey this feeling.
  
  

Dancing Masks

• Perhaps the most vivid and complex of Mexican masks, folk art masks used for dancing can take the form of animals, other people, demons and more. These masks are made from a variety of materials, including papier-mâché, clay and wood. The masks feature rich colors and incredible detailing in facial expressions. Some of the masks have artificial hair, while others sprout horns. Depending on the specific dancing event, especially if it is in connection with a holiday, the masks will take the form of a local legend or figure.