Origins of Face Painting
You will see many kids roaming around fair grounds, children’s parties and carnivals with painted faces. Face painting is one of the most popular activities for kids these days and booths can be found at almost every event. Face painting has been gaining ground the past couple of years and kids have been more than happy to close their eyes and sit still all in the name of having their face painted. Face painting started way back the early days of our ancestors and it’s not a newly introduced activity. It dates back to hundreds or even thousands of years ago when warriors were the ones who had painted faces and where ancient tribes and cultures used face painting for religious purposes, some for camouflage and others to separate one tribe from the next. Some of the people who used face painting before were the Chinese, Native Americans, and the Egyptians.
Warriors who paint their faces did it whenever they went out face enemies or to go to war. It was also used to intimidate their enemies or make them tremble in fear. Face painting were also used by some tribes to distinguish themselves from other tribes. Depending on the design and colors, the paintings on their faces imposed different meanings. When they are preparing for war, they would paint their faces in black color, while red stood for war and white is used to show or promote peace.
Face painting was also used by some tribes as camouflage for hunting and for going into battle. Those who did this would use paint from a natural source and would make their face and sometimes, other parts of their body the same color as the surroundings. This would help them hide from their enemies or secretly sneak up on animals they were hunting. Even in religious purposes, ceremonies, and rituals, face painting is being used too. There were tribes who believed that it meant powers when you wear certain colors of face paint.
Other than being a fun activity for kids during parties and in fairs and carnivals, face painting also has a very colorful history. Far much different from how we’re using it today, face painting back then was rooted on power, tribes, and spiritual beliefs. There is no harm in face painting children but explaining the wonderful history of this fun activity would also be a nice activity.
