Byzantine Dress - Hair

Hair

Men's hair was generally short and neat until the late Empire, and often is shown elegantly curled, probably artificially (picture at top). The 9th century Khludov Psalter has Iconophile illuminations which vilify the last Iconoclast Patriarch, John the Grammarian, caricaturing him with untidy hair sticking straight out in all directions. Monk's hair was long, and most clergy had beards, as did many lay men, especially later. Upper-class women mostly wore their hair up, again very often curled and elaborately shaped. If we are to judge by religious art, and the few depictions of other women outside the court, women probably kept their hair covered in public, especially when married.

Read more about this topic:  Byzantine Dress

Famous quotes containing the word hair:

    A bracelet of bright hair about the bone,
    Will he not let us alone,
    And think that there a loving couple lies
    Who thought that this device might be some way
    To make their souls, at the last busy day,
    Meet at this grave, and make a little stay?
    John Donne (1572–1631)

    “You are old, father William,” the young man said,
    “And your hair has become very white;
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    Do you think, at your age, it is right?”
    Lewis Carroll [Charles Lutwidge Dodgson] (1832–1898)

    Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves’ eyes within thy locks: thy hair is as a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead.
    —Bible: Hebrew Song of Solomon 4:1.