The document discusses the different motivations behind masquerades at carnival celebrations. Some use masks and costumes to emphasize and exaggerate aspects of their real personality, essentially caricaturing themselves [1]. Others see masquerades as a chance to recreate their personality and live out fantasies through an alter-ego, denying their real personality [2]. Both approaches allow people to temporarily express feelings and desires in an acceptable way due to the context of carnival [3].

1. CARNIVAL
THE MEANING
OF MASQUERADES
February is the month of carnival. By hearing this opportunity to release stress and pressure, to es-
word, some people will spontaneously think about cape from the everyday routine. The masquerade,
the famous Brazilian tradition of carnival, characte- that typifies Carnival, helps to mark this break from
rized by the scantily-clad well-curved women. For daily life.
those who are rather fond of a more ‘artistic’ carni- Let’s put this tradition of disguise in current soci-
val, the word may remind of the carnival of Venice. ety under the microscope and have a closer look at
This feast is associated with meticulously painted what drives people to participate in masquerades.
masks. For Belgians, the word carnival will proba- A masquerade is a way of expressing feelings and
bly remind of the ‘voil jeanetten’ (men disguised as emotions and even of misbehaving in an accepta-
showy women) of the carnival in Aalst. The way ble way. Who would lose his temper over a man,
people from all over the world celebrate carnival disguised like Robin Hood for carnival and steeling
differs a lot, but they all have one thing in com- from the rich as part of his role? Indeed, no one.
mon: it’s about letting go. Yet, the feelings and emotions expressed by wea-
ring costumes and masks are not always as consci-
Carnival started as a pagan tradition and has been ous as one might think. Whether one is aware or
adopted by Christianity. Originally, it was the ul- unaware of the expressed feelings plays a pivotal
timate occasion to let go before the Lent (the role in the underlying motivations of disguising
40 days of fasting and reflection before Easter). oneself:
During the last days before Lent, a giant party was
held to finish up the food (especially the fat) they
had stocked during winter because otherwise it
would rot. This party that involved the entire com- “Emphasize
munity was characterized by a lot of enthusiasm
and delight expressed in masquerades and feasts. your
It sharply contrasted with the following 40 days of
fasting. The prospect of spring and the blooming
personality”
nature offering a lot of new possibilities helped
people to make it through the Lent.
For some, a masquerade can be a way to manifest
conscious feelings and emotions. Mostly, one com-
In current society, the original meaning of Carni-
ponent of the ‘real’ personality is accentuated and
val as moment of release before fasting is pushed even enlarged. This zooming in on a specific cha-
to the background, giving the lead to a derived,
racteristic reveals not only the self-knowledge of
non-religious related interpretation of carnival: an
someone, but also his or her ability of self-mocke-

2. ry. One makes a caricature of himself. In this per- The limited duration of the disguise allows to enjoy
spective of masquerade, the fun-factor is of major the experience of the fantasy to the fullest, since
importance. A masquerade is a moment of joy, almost anything is accepted within the framework
aimed at entertaining others and oneself. The use of carnival. An example of this motivation of den-
of carnival costumes masks a need for confirma- ying your own personality in favor of your deeper
tion for and attention to the ‘real life’ personality. lying desires is a shy boy disguised as Superman,
A beautiful woman disguised as Barbie illustrates as such giving expression to his (unconscious) de-
this caricature-masquerade. sire to be assertive and noticed by others.
Carnival gives a framework to express feelings and
“Recreate desires, both conscious ones and hidden, uncon-
scious ones. This well-defined frame/context al-
your lows you to let go and play with your own identity
but also to distance yourself from your behavior
personality” afterwards. Carnival is a valid excuse for experien-
cing your imagination or for exaggerating a typical
feature in an active way without being judged for
it or without having to justify your behavior.
For others, a masquerade is rather a ritual of self-
creation where imagination plays a major role.
Now it’s up to you to give yourself or your alter-ego
Costumes, masks and wigs are instruments that al-
their 15 minutes of fame. And if you get any questi-
low to create a total ‘new’ personality that is often
ons about your behavior, blame it on the carnival!
the opposite of the ‘real life’ personality. In other
words, masquerades give a voice to the alter-ego.
It is an opportunity to do what the ‘ego’ doesn’t
dare to do. The feelings and desires expressed by MOTIVATIONAL
the disguise are most often unconscious and are RESEARCH
linked with the imagination, desires and fantasy of FEB
the costumed person. Unlike the other motivati-
onal segment where disguise covered a need for 2012
confirmation, this segment conceals a need for ex-
by Mieke Van der Haegen
periencing one’s fantasy without being punished
Researcher at WHY5Research
or judged for it. Consequently, great value is atta-
ched to the temporary character of the disguise.