Hair Beliefs & Superstitions
Published: 2007-03-04Hair Mystic
The hair has always been surrounded by some sort of mystic and many ancient superstitions, such as the belief that the red hair possess something diabolic and that women with black hair are witches.
Longer Hair equals more Strength
A lot of myths talk about the magic power of the hair. In the Hinduism mythology, hair means, “power lines” of the universe tied to Shiva’s hair - a powerful god. Ancient gods, evangelic and apostles, are presented with long hair most of the time, which represent their physical resistance and spiritual strength. In ancient times, there was a belief that the soul inhabited in the hair, and when cut, the person could lose its psychic and physical strength.
On the other hand, short hair was seen as bad fortune. In Ireland, for instance, there was a belief that people with short hair were related to supernatural forces.
Color = Character
The length of the hair played a very important role in ancient beliefs, but so was the color of the hair.
White or Golden Hair
It means the light of God and symbolizes the immortality. Angles present themselves with long, golden hair most of the time.
Brown Hair
It indicates that this person posses a great interior strength.
Red Hair
They were related to the Goodness Venus. At that time, Venus was a symbol of adultery, and it was thought that red hair provoked a diabolic character and low moral values. It is not surprising that Venetian painters painted prostitutes with this color only.
Women with red hair were blamed for relating to malignant spirits. This color was the mark of low moral and treason. Judas was represented with this hair color.
Black hair had a bad reputation as well. It was said that people with black hair had evil marks. Malignant spirits were represented with this hair color most of the time.
Ancient Beliefs around the World
In Occidental Serbia, they would leave a lock of hair when cutting the hair of children… for good luck.
In Germany, people looking for revenge did not cut their hair to keep their strength.
In medieval times, there was a belief that the malignant force of witches and wizards was transmitted to the environment through the hair. Therefore, the executioners of the inquisition would shave all the hair from their body.
The Buddhist monks shave their hair as a gesture of sacrifice to their divinity.
There was a belief that cut hair could not be thrown away to avoid attracting diseases and bad luck.
In some societies, it is still not uncommon to help someone sick by leaving the locks of hair on tree branches. It is believed that in this way the sickness will pass to the tree and the sick person will heal.