I was watching TV the other night and I came across Jack Black's recent film 'Nacho Libre'. The film involves a monk (Black) becoming a Luchador (Mexican wrestler). Although this film wasn't particularly well received it portrayed some aspects of Mexican culture and the importance of Lucha Libre.
A common characteristic (and the most intriguing from a design point of view) of nearly all Luchadors is the wearing of a mask to wrestle.
There are several reasons for the development of the mask in Lucha Libre and Mexican Culture. Lucha Libre was very popular in working-class Mexico and wrestlers often would have a day job as well; the mask was a means of keeping their athletic career separate to the rest of their life. A more primal reason for the use of the mask is the creation of a persona.Wrestling in its simplest form is entertainment that borrows from archetypal imagery and ritual. Every society has an understanding of good verses evil through mythology and religion. Lucha Libre is no different; wrestlers fall into two categories: the hero (techino) and the villain (rudo) and the battle between good and evil is represented in some form in every match. The mask allows the luchador to fully become the character they represent and protect their true identity - this is very similar to comic book superheros who take on their status through their costume; they are no longer 'human' but instead a living icon. Wearing a Luchador mask is to deny an opponent your true identity and to become the character the mask represents. To be 'unmasked' by an opponent is to lose this identity/ reveal that the luchador is only human.
Whilst researching Lucha Libre I noticed, as with many sports, there are shared archetypal images with religion. For example, the 'church' is the wrestling arena and the battle between good and evil is well documented in many religious texts in some form or another.
A common characteristic (and the most intriguing from a design point of view) of nearly all Luchadors is the wearing of a mask to wrestle.
There are several reasons for the development of the mask in Lucha Libre and Mexican Culture. Lucha Libre was very popular in working-class Mexico and wrestlers often would have a day job as well; the mask was a means of keeping their athletic career separate to the rest of their life. A more primal reason for the use of the mask is the creation of a persona.Wrestling in its simplest form is entertainment that borrows from archetypal imagery and ritual. Every society has an understanding of good verses evil through mythology and religion. Lucha Libre is no different; wrestlers fall into two categories: the hero (techino) and the villain (rudo) and the battle between good and evil is represented in some form in every match. The mask allows the luchador to fully become the character they represent and protect their true identity - this is very similar to comic book superheros who take on their status through their costume; they are no longer 'human' but instead a living icon. Wearing a Luchador mask is to deny an opponent your true identity and to become the character the mask represents. To be 'unmasked' by an opponent is to lose this identity/ reveal that the luchador is only human.
Whilst researching Lucha Libre I noticed, as with many sports, there are shared archetypal images with religion. For example, the 'church' is the wrestling arena and the battle between good and evil is well documented in many religious texts in some form or another.
1 comment:
I found this a very interesting read!
There's something very facinating and fresh about the masks... maybe they could work as a logotype for some bold company? I can see myself being represented by one :)
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