Masks of the hidden self

So many shapes, so many options.
What does each mean? And how can you use them yourself?
It may be a deep symbology or an innocent quirk.
It is always up to you to interpret the meaning of the masks

 

Description

The Masks of hidden selves are oftentimes simple, made out of regular ceramic or bone by those seeking extra attention.
These masks are extremely rarely left in their original, white, pristine state.
Instead, they are painted, intentionally broken, put together, and otherwise altered to mimic the innermost mental state of the wearer.   These masks are never made as a gift, or by someone else.
The idea of them is that only the person who makes their mask knows themselves well enough to design it.    

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Purpose

Used for self-expression in anonymity, these masks represent the suppressed personalities, scars, pains, or traits one is afraid to show as part of their normal day-to-day life.
Being used during the Night of mute dance people donning the masks are often time mute by choice, as the use of voice could give up the veil of anonymity these masks create.   The masks need to be combined with anything capable of hiding the arm tattoos - which spell out the person's name as well as the name of their lifelong partner.
For this purpose, and due to the oftentimes cold temperatures, people cover their bodies in dark robes dedicated to being paired with masks.    

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Common symbolism

There are many ways in which these masks and robes can be decorated. Some decorate them to express emotions, while others use them to express deeper struggles.
However apart from the multitudes of personalities that decorate the masks, some decorative elements serve a common role in the tradition.   The soul behind the third eye. It is not uncommon for one person to have multiple masks to express their changing moods. Therefore after many years, an unwritten rule to maintain a sort of signature between them emerged.
The place or third eye is used as a signature, a chosen symbol representing the person, and a kind of second name.
This designation is then maintained across all the masks a person wears. Because even in the anonymity, sometimes a person wishes to be a mystery to be recognized, a puzzle to be pieced.
And sometimes, in cases where the third eye is left blank, a person just wishes to express themselves.     The ones who protect. The Night of Mute dance is a tradition with its dangers. As anonymity tends to bring good as much as bad.
Luckily some people decided to dedicate their time to ensure the tradition stays safe and welcoming to all who participate. Bearing a symbol of protection around the eyes.
Disrespect, while in a moderate amount a way to express oneself, can be a very dangerous thing if left unchecked.
The ones who protect are often serving as silent judges, ensuring that even the darker, more dangerous ways of expression are used in ways that bring no long-lasting harm to anyone else or the cities themselves. They are also the only ones allowed to use force during the night, and even then it's only to bring a person to the nearest planner who will then strip away the offender's mask. Revealing their identity to all.     The silent parade. Each Atocite tends to have a combination of decorations, which it acknowledges as protestors and celebrators.
This allows people to use negative or positive symbolism in their mask, and yet not be perceived as someone belonging to a group protesting or celebrating anything that is being decided or being done.   Those who don the mask of a silent parade usually group, and then march across the night of the day a thing they protest or celebrate happened. Often ending the march at the place most relevant to their cause. The strong emotions that make people use this way, rather than put their influence as a contributor to society, often lead to dangerous and long-lasting damages.
In terms of protestors, the long-lasting damage can happen to literally anything and anyone.
The celebrating ones are afraid of consequences to their name and normal life when they decide to support something this way.