Haartracht und Haarsymbolik bei den Germanen

There is great interest in the culture and religion of the Teutons. However, an essential aspect of everyday culture has so far been left out: How did the Germanic people wear their hair and what was the importance of hairstyle and beard? For the first time, this interdisciplinary study explores the symbolism of hair in the Germanic tribes from the pre-Roman Empire to the early Middle Ages. Analysis of the archaeological, legal and historical source material shows that the preference for a hair color, the wearing of special hairstyles to differentiate oneself or the concealment of women’s hair for religious reasons are not an invention of the modern age. The hairstyle and how to wear your beard was of great social, political and religious relevance.