How did masks serve religious purposes in early Korean performing arts?

In early Korean performing arts, masks served as vital instruments for religious and ritualistic expression, rooted in animistic beliefs and shamanism.12

Archaeological evidence indicates that by the 3rd century CE, masks were used to impersonate animal spirits to placate them. Shamans utilized various types—including demon, medicine, and spirit masks—during dances to draw the addressed spirit into themselves. This possession was intended to achieve specific religious or practical outcomes, such as curing illnesses or influencing daily life.1

Beyond shamanistic rituals, masks were integrated into broader religious contexts:
* Exorcism: Certain dances, such as the narye, were performed to exorcise evil spirits.3
* Buddhist Influence: Rituals often incorporated Buddhist elements, such as the kiak masked dance play. Performances were frequently dedicated to maintaining peace and harmony, sometimes held during significant religious observances like the Feast of Lanterns.13
* Memorialization: Masks were used to honor figures of spiritual or historical significance, such as the son of the Dragon God or warriors who died in battle.23

Over time, these religious masked dances were increasingly secularized by professional troupes, eventually evolving into forms of social satire.3