Historical Christian hairstyles
 | This article includes a improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (March 2010) ) |
The hairstyles adopted in the Christian tradition have varied widely over time as well as between locations, social and economic classes, ethnicities, denominations, and the cultures from which Christians have emerged. Among the Clergy and consecrated religious hair styles have also varied between orders and positions with in the church. These variations, along with the regulation of hair styles by church dress code, enabled hair styles to convey information about their wearers role in the church and their relationship to faith.[1]
Prior to 500 C.E.
The paintings in the catacombs permit the belief that the early Christians simply followed the fashion of their time. The short hair of the men and the braids of the women were, towards the end of the second century, curled, and arranged in tiers, while for women the hair twined about the head over the brow. Particular locks were reserved to fall over the forehead and upon the temples.
Women then wore a round head-dress which encircled the face. Emperors and empresses wore a large, low
Middle Ages
 |
The invading
Church councils regulated the head-dress of clerics and monks: according to
In the ninth century there is more distinction between freemen and slaves, as regards the hair. Henceforth the slaves were no longer shorn save in punishment for certain offences. Under
Fashions changed, from hair smooth on the top of the head and rising in a sudden roll in front, a tuft of hair in the form of a flame, or the more ordinary topknot. Not every one followed these fashions.
Early Modern times
|
The clergy followed with a sort of timidity the fashion of the
See also
References
- ISSN 1474-0648.
- Attribution
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Hair (in Christian Antiquity)". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. The entry states that:
- "Information relative to the head-dress of Hélyot, Histoire des ordres religieux. See also:"
- DAREMBERG AND SAGLIO, Dict. des Antiques grecques et lat., s. v. Coma;
- BAUMEISTER, Denkmäler des klass. Alterthums, I, 615 sq.;
- KRAUSE, Plotina, oder die Kostüme des Haupthaares bei den Völkern der Alten Welt (Leipzig, 1858);
- RACINET, Le costume historique (1882).
- "Information relative to the head-dress of
