If you love Japanese style tattoos, then one classic option is the Hannya Mask. You’ve certainly seen it before, although you might not have known the name. The Mask looks almost demonic, twisted into rage that also reflects an underlying agony… it’s really a hard image not to stare to see all the emotions at play.
There’s a reason for that, of course, and today we’ll tell you all about Hannya Mask tattoos, delving into their history, meaning, and their designs, to give you a better understanding of these complex and often frightening Masks. Brace yourself – as a skin art option, this one is definitely powerful and we’ll tell you all about it!
What is the History of Hannya Mask Tattoos?
Hannya Masks have been used in Shinto ceremonies for quite some time, though they wouldn’t ‘go public’ until around the 14th century, when they became a staple in Noh Theatre. They represent the transformation of a woman into something almost demonic, as the result of intense emotions stemming from scorn or betrayal.
The woman, whose heart has been broken, becomes something dangerous, and you can see this in the Masks. While they look frightening and otherworldly, if you look beyond the features twisted in rage and hatred, there is always an underlying grief or sadness that is at the core of the Hannya Mask.
Needless to say, this is definitely something everyone can understand, as almost nothing on the planet has the potential to twist us as much as feeling betrayed or broken-hearted, and looking at the Mask brings an intuitive understanding, even if you’ve never seen one before. You know right away that you are looking at pain.
With such a powerful and universal appeal, these Masks of feminine fury have naturally made their way into the world of skin art, where they continue to gracefully express something that’s almost impossible to fully communicate any other way.
What Do Hannya Mask Tattoos Symbolize?
Hannya Masks symbolize the impact of betrayal, scorn, neglect, abuse, and the score of other tragedies that someone else might inflict on our hearts. It’s a complex message.
While the Mask itself inspires terror, with its combination of rage and heartfelt agony, it is also quite clearly a Mask – not the person beneath it – though for the space that it is worn, it might as well be. Anyone who has ever been used, betrayed, or discarded can see a Hannya Mask and know it for what it is.
Simply put, it’s a symbol that represents pain and the transformation that it can force upon us. Sometimes something hurts so bad that your options are to break or to let it out, but if you do the latter than it is important to understand this: It is only a Mask and one day you must take it off.
What Do Hannya Mask Tattoos Mean?
Hannya Mask tattoos typically mean that someone has experienced one or more heart-rending betrayals in their time. When you see one of these tattoos, often you are seeing someone that has been pushed beyond their limits at some point in life.
This isn’t always the meaning, of course, as Hannya tattoos are also a popular subject simply because they are Japanese and deeply ingrained in the culture. These scary Masks, holding rage and horror in a frightening balance, have a cultural and visual appeal that took hold in the 14th century and never went away.
So, the meaning could simply be about the aesthetics. Some people might even wear one as a way to remember someone, now lost, who ‘put on the Hannya Mask’ and the emotion proved to be too much for them.
Think about what it is that you wish to express and spend some time with the Mask design. Inked with care, Hannya Mask tattoos are nothing short of profound – it’s really rare that you see such complex emotions captured and perfectly displayed in a way that anyone who has felt them can instantly recognize.
Characteristics and Styles of Hannya Mask Tattoos
As far as style, the most common one used with Hannya Mask tattoos is definitely going to be Japanese. These are cultural icons, so this is the natural choice, but it’s really going to be up to you.
You could certainly take the classic design and depict it Geometrically or exaggerate the features with New School style. It all depends on what you are trying to say. As far as coloration, you could do black and white or go with color – both will have a strong impact.
With black and white, the tattoo will be a lot starker, bordering on the grim, though full color allows for a photorealistic depiction if you’ve got the patience, which can also help to showcase that wide range of emotion emanating from the mask.
Where Do Hannya Mask Tattoos Usually Go?
For placement, you should check with your artist to see what will be the best, based on your unique body-shape, but the most common spots are the outer arm and shoulder.
The next most popular spot is the back, because one can create a large and truly fearsome Hannya mask, and it also lends well to a tattooing strategy of placing the mask on one side and leaving the other as smooth, untouched skin.
Don’t worry – once you know what you want, the perfect spot will come to you in a ‘eureka’ moment in no time at all!
Some final words regarding Hannya Mask Tattoos
So, now you know all about Hannya Masks and the rich history behind them. We have to admit, when it comes to tattoos that really ‘say it all’, it’s pretty difficult to top Hannya Mask tattoos.
While they look ‘demonic’, once you’ve gotten a good look at one of these masks, they are arguably the most human thing that you’ll ever see. This makes Hannya Mask tattoos just about perfect someone who understood them the very first time that they saw one!
