Buy Anonymous Mask

People that present themselves as Anonymous or as their supporters are usually wearing an anonymous mask. They are of course not the only ones. Lots of groups and individuals that protest against the establishment and against politicians, banks and other financial institutions use this mask as their own. This mask was made popular by the comic book and film titled V for Vendetta. But where does this mask really come from?

The "Anonymous mask" is actually a mask that represents the face of a man called Guy Fawkes. Guy Fawkes was the best-known member of the Gunpowder Plot - this plot was an attempt to blow up the English Palace of Westminster in London in 1605 (which by the way failed). With this plot Guy Fawkes and his stylized face became a symbol of resistance against the politicians, power & corruption.

The mask as we know it today comes from the 1982 comic book titled "V for Vendetta". This comic book was written by Alan Moore and illustrated by David Lloyd. While they were brainstorming for ideas on how to present the main character in the comic Lloyd came up with this idea:

"Why don't we portray him as a resurrected Guy Fawkes, complete with one of those papier-mâché masks, in a cape and a conical hat? He'd look really bizarre and it would give Guy Fawkes the image he's deserved all these years. We shouldn't burn the chap every Nov. 5th but celebrate his attempt to blow up Parliament!"

This is how the Guy Fawkes / Anonymous mask was born.

Apart from giving the face to the masked man called "V" the "V for Vendetta" book/film is not a recreation of the Guy Fawkes and The Gunpowder plot story. The plot of the movie goes something like this: "A shadowy freedom fighter known only as "V" uses guerrilla tactics to fight against his terrorist, totalitarian society. Upon rescuing a girl from the secret police, he also finds his best chance at having an ally."

If you need more than just a mask, then check out these costume kits and accessories.

Anonymous masks are so widespread that even politicians in European parliament wore stylized anonymous masks as a sign of protest against the ACTA agreement.

The Gunpowder Plot of 1605

A group of provincial English Catholics led by Robert Catesby attempted to assassinate King James I by blowing up the House of Lords during the State Opening of England's Parliament on 5 November 1605. There were many members of the plot but Guy Fawkes was the only one with military experience so he was in charge of the explosives. But the plot was revealed before the could go through with it and Fawkes was arrested in London on the night before the plot together with 36 barrels of gunpowder. Other members of the plot including Robert Catesby fled London but were mostly shot and killed in pursuit. Eight members were captured alive and were convicted and sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered.