Wooden Ladle Face Masks

Wooden Ladle Face Masks

　　With a history of 1,500 years, wooden ladle face masks are beloved by people both at home and abroad. Here you’ll find a range of series including hanging ornaments, Shehuo (a traditional folk performance), and ancient mascot designs. Nearly 300 pieces offer a visual feast.

　　In the Guanzhong and southern Shaanxi regions of Shaanxi Province, there was historically a custom of hanging wooden ladles painted with colorful fierce deity images to protect homes and ward off evil spirits. Whenever families encountered misfortunes—such as a lack of offspring or unexpected disasters—they would ask Shehuo artists to paint a fierce deity image on an ordinary wooden ladle used for scooping water, then hang it on the door frame or under the eaves. It was believed this could protect the home and drive away evil. Today, such an act might seem amusing, but in those less scientifically advanced times, people placed their hopes in such a wooden ladle. This sometimes provided spiritual comfort, much like other traditional customs in our country—such as pasting Spring Festival couplets or replacing peachwood charms, inserting calamus swords during the Dragon Boat Festival, or hanging images of Zhong Kui.

　　For thousands of years, our ancestors lived through these diverse and intricate folk customs.

　　Why were fierce deity images painted on wooden ladles?

　　According to Shehuo artists, there are three reasons:

　　First, wooden ladles are commonly found in every household, meaning the material is readily available;

　　Second, the shape of a wooden ladle closely resembles a human head, making it convenient for depicting the image of Chiyou;

　　Third, in ancient China, there was a belief that peach and willow wood could ward off evil, and since most wooden ladles were made of willow, they were believed to have protective properties in themselves.

　　Why was this custom once prevalent in the Guanzhong region? It’s related to history. Guanzhong was the birthplace of the Western Zhou, Qin, and Han dynasties, and was less influenced by outside cultures. The legacy of the Western Zhou, Qin, and Han dynasties still remains today, and rituals such as worshipping Chiyou have left their mark.