The Mother Goddess, or Mask Dancer, was a later addition to Bal Anat that evolved from the Pink Ladies.  The Mask Dance became the iconic opening performance for the show, representing the Mother Goddess or Mother Earth.  The mask dancer represents both the beginning of time as well as the present and future, forever watching over the earth and the continual renewal of life through birth and re-birth.

Great Mother

Daughter of the Moon

Mother of the Earth

We were borne in your vessel

And emerged from your sacred portal

In your image

Merciful Mother of consciousness

Protectress of women in childbirth

Patroness of women in labour

Goddess of birth

And 

Re-birth

Jamila Salimpour