Braids and Combs: Notes on the History of Hairstyles in Asian Cultures

Abstract

Hair marks a person and its role in society. It defines a person's gender, sexual availability, age or social status.

Especially in Asian cultures hairstyles have been connected to sexual and religious symbolism - as is shown in this study describing history, meanings and types of hairdos in traditional India, China, Southeast Asia, Tibet or Japan.

Keywords

• Asia
• Anthropology
• Ethnology
• History
• Hairstyles
• Combing
• Hairdressing
• Symbols
• Art
• Culture