萨满面具的功能与特征

萨满面具是萨满教思想观念的物化形态和特殊的表意符号 ,反映着信仰萨满教的北方民族的信仰、禁忌、思维心理和审美意识。本文论述了萨满面具所具有的神象征、通灵媒介、隐己屏障、赐福灵物和护魂盔甲等多重功能 ;并以傩文化为参照系 ,阐述了萨满面具的特征 ,揭示了我国萨满面具文化和傩戏面具文化迥然不同的历史命运及其成因

The Shamanic Mask: It Functions and Features

As the material form and the special symbolic sign of shamanism, the shamanic mask reflects the beliefs and taboos, psychology and aesthetics among the northern peoples believing in and practicing shamanism. This paper discusses the multifold functions of the shamanic mask, in terms of the symbol of divinity, the intermediary to spirits, the barrier for concealing oneself, the magic article for blessing, and the armor for souls. Moreover, with the Nuo (exorcist) culture in southern China as the reference frame, the paper expounds the features of the shamanic mask and the complete difference between the shamanic and Nuo masks in their historical destiny. The causes behind it are also revealed.