Significance of hair in spiritual traditions

[Celtaur]

From my understanding the shaving of the head in Buddhism is in regards to detachment from the ego self symbolic of connection to the spiritual self (in terms of detachment of course). In Sikhism the hair is regarded as highly spiritually significant and is not to be cut as symbolic of connection to the spiritual self. In universal terms, with such vastly different perceptions, are they both false, and only to the individuals culturally based perceptions the significance holds value?

[Mohandas]

I recently cut off my dreadlocks after sixteen years and it sure is refreshing to say the least.

[Celtaur]

I recently cut off my dreadlocks after sixteen years and it sure is refreshing to say the least.

I shaved my head yesterday, and feel renewed. 16 years. That must have felt like an amazing change, for sure

[Haruth]

Interesting. Never considered this before...

It reminded me of the story of Samson, who's great strength was attributed to his hair having never been cut. This would imply some spiritual association with hair within certain groups within the Jewish community, a suggestion which may be borne out by the Hasidic sect's following of the commandment not to shave one's beard.

There may also be something in the Christian tradition, with the Nazarene sect's wearing of long hair...

Food for thought. Thank you

[Lillith]

Quite honestly I do not know how hair plays in different traditions but I know the effects that has been in this certain instance. Four years ago I cut my hair, which at that time stretched almost the whole length of my spine. I cut my hair because growing up was never allowed to because the religion my father chose .

You could call it a sort of "rebellion" against the man, and because I started working at a bar where every female I worked with had short hair. It seemed that the females were a little envious of my long flowing locks, so to be on an even plane with them I decided to cut my hair up to my ears in a cute little Posh Spice do.

Well to make a long story short I totally resented the fact that I had cut my hair. My hair gave a sense of being . Regardless of the beliefs my father had imposed upon me and the stories of Sampson. I shall not cut my hair again , well not as drastically.

For I believe that my hair is a staple of myself and will continue to let it grow for as long as it wishes to. At that time I felt it was necessary to rid myself of everything that was comfortable to be able to progress farther.

[fugazichild]

For about 2 or 3 years my hair was fairly long, about shoulder length. When I shaved it off it felt great, and I decided that my new clean cut look was better than the previous.

Now, looking back on it, I really regret my decision. My long hair gave me a sense of individuality that I don't think I have with a short hair cut. By letting my hair grow out and feel more natural, I guess I kind of felt like I was expressing the true me.

I'm glad to say I'm now growing my hair out again. =)

[TheJedi]

It reminded me of the story of Samson, who's great strength was attributed to his hair having never been cut. This would imply some spiritual association with hair within certain groups within the Jewish community, a suggestion which may be borne out by the Hasidic sect's following of the commandment not to shave one's beard.

I've noticed the Hasidic Jews also have those curly sideburns. Anyone have any idea what that is about?

[BBDD]

To hair or not to hair is not the question. The value of a variable is not defined before the paradigm is established. No cultural practice has any significance in a culture far removed. All such things are relative to the system of understanding they are applied to and entirely insignificant unto themselves…other than for that initial sensation from shredding a prideful main of notable weight, that can be applied as one sees fit to any given end.

[Mozelle]

Mohandas wow after 16 years. I have dreadlock as well. Being a woman I can’t see me shaving my head. Though I have thought a few times of cutting them. I know if I want to totally get rid off my dreads I will have to shave my head.

This has nothing to do with Mohandas in any way. Since this concerns dreadlocks. Most of my friends from the Islands are Rastas and I know they keep their hair long because of keeping with the Rastafarian Nazirite (Nazarene) vow dreadlocks. I look at my dreads as thought they were my antennas to the universe. I don’t know if that makes any sense to anyone but me. Plus a personal vow as well.

Mylan as far as burning your hair. In the African American culture it was done usually in the past. I don’t many young people do so now. It can be looked at more as a folklore or a step of protection. It probably originated for African Americans from Hoodoo, Voodoo, or some other magic. Here are a few reasons my culture burns the hair from a comb or brush.

• It is a thought if you throw your hair out, birds may make a nest with it. Causing you to have bad headaches. (merging of Hoodoo in brief with Folklore)
• To prevent someone from obtaining your hair and working or getting someone to work magic on you. (Hoodoo, Voodoo, or someone that practice witchcraft) Resulting in a curse, hex, love work, any objective.

In Hoodoo to obtain personal concerns from someone is required in many tricks (spells).
Though there are some Elderly Rootworkers who can succeed in their practice without it.

But many still need something personal. Especially when it comes to strong work tricks (spells). Plus it’s one of the easiest thing to obtain from a person. When I say easy for example a so called friend that want to get back at you, steal your husband, jealousy or what ever reason. May ask to use your bathroom and obtain anything personal of yours. Hair from a comb or brush would be the easiest (never missed).

In addition it is a very powerful item. Looking back in time when know one even knew of DNA, it is amazing that they new it carried such a powerful structure of your making. Now we know! Even a washcloth that you have bath cloth or dishcloth a person has wiped their hands on could be used for evil. Skin cells that have been collected on it.

[Hestia]

It is so interesting to read everyone's take on this simple subject! Hair is a very important symbol to us all and seems to affect our inner being as well as our outer self.

I am a breast cancer survivor and loosing my hair was a great fear of mine. (Isn't it ironic that when faced with a life threatening illness hair is a concern!) The odd thing about the hair ordeal though was that loosing hair seemed to become an unification amoung people fighting cancer. It also made a person realize that if loosing my hair is the worst thing that happens, I have nothing to fear. I did not loose my hair, it just thinned. That almost caused me to feel "left out" of the club of survivors- as strange as that sounds. Hair is most certainly an identifying feature that we all seem emotionally connected to, however frivolous that may seem in the big scope of life.