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From: features@ihuxf.UUCP (M.A. Zeszutko)
Newsgroups: net.women
Subject: Re: Cutting hair - symbolically
Message-ID: <2118@ihuxf.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 26-Mar-84 14:09:34 EST
Article-I.D.: ihuxf.2118
Posted: Mon Mar 26 14:09:34 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 27-Mar-84 03:13:37 EST
References: <6328@uiucdcs.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
Lines: 25

As someone mentioned, it was quite common to have a maiden's hair cut
at her marriage ceremony.  It was also tied up with the example of
nuns' headdress.  I'd like to carry that analogy further.

In the (old) monastic/priestly ceremony of tonsure, the monk/priest's head
was cut or shaved, creating something that looked like a bald spot on
the cleric's head.  This (so I was told) was to symbolize the slavery
that the cleric had given up, and to indicate his new status in the
new order.  It is also a classic example of divestiture of power.
The cleric was to give his life to the service of God and the church.
Who knows why they chose tonsure?  Maybe they were thinking of the
story of Sampson and Delilah.

Cutting of hair has long been a symbol of dominion over someone.  Could
be that's why the religious had to do it, and the married women.  (Can
anyone recall some folk tale where a witch had short hair, signifying
she had given up her power?)

As far as today is concerned, I nearly got fired from one job when I
had long hair.  It didn't fit the corporate image.  Now I wear short,
but it's because I find it easiest to care for when it's really long
or fairly short, but not in between.  It's nice to have a choice in
the job I have now.

Mary Ann Zeszutko   AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville.