A N  A Z T E C  M A S K

 

Sacred ritual objects crafted from stone, wood, and human skulls decorated with mosaics of turquoise, shell, and obsidian to represent deities and honor the dead. Priests and performers wore masks during ceremonies to embody specific gods like Tlaloc (the rain god) or Tezcatlipoca. Many authentic masks were made strictly for display or placement on bundles of deceased rulers and human skulls rather than to be worn on the face. Elaborate mosaic masks attached to human skulls were sometimes worn by warriors on their backs into battle to project divine power and intimidate enemies.

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