The Rangda (widow in Balinese) mask is intended to resemble a wife's soul when she follows her departed husband to the netherworld. Unlike the Barong, which represents the good, Rangda personifies the dark side of the universe. The struggle between those two forces continues eternally, just like good and evil will always coexist on earth.
The Balinese believe that disease and misfortune are the results of an imbalance between the forces of good and evil. The performance of the Barong and Rangda dances are part of the sacred ceremonies, meant to maintain the balance between the two.