I was watching that Jessica Simpson music video and she cuts her own hair in it and is crying and then I also thought about in how the Royal Tenenbaums Luke Wilson chops off his hair too and then tries to kill himself. What does it mean? Just sadness or something?
What is the symbolism behind cutting your hair?
It depends on context. In some forms, like the samuri's "top knot," the cutting of the hair is a sign of dishonor and disgrace (similarly, we could consider Native American "scalping" of their enemy). In other forms (where we focus on an individual doing the cutting to him/herself), it is sometimes seen as a freedom from the bondage of social norms (like females displaying strength in movies like "V for Vendetta" or "GI Jane"). In some ways, it can be seen as a lose of 'self' since hair is a living, growing part of us--to cut it is to change how we grow and in what ways we grow (or don't grow). Such a change can have positive depictions (like the sign of strength shown in GI Jane) or negative depictions (like the sadness depicted in the Simpson video). Either way, a change is symbolized. The direction of the change is always left to interpretation though.
What is the symbolism behind cutting your hair?
none
What is the symbolism behind cutting your hair?
I had always thought it was supposed to mean a loss of honor.
What is the symbolism behind cutting your hair?
to rid the lice
What is the symbolism behind cutting your hair?
I feel liberated or polished when I get my hair cut. I really think that it is a neutral act that we bring our own meaning to.
What is the symbolism behind cutting your hair?
I think it means cutting the "bad luck" out of themselve, which kinda superstitious. It is like what asian ppl would do too after a bad experience like break up from boyfriend/girlfriend, they would cut their hair or remodeled their hair.
What is the symbolism behind cutting your hair?
That would depend on the context. Simpson and Wilson use the chopping off of their hair as a symbol of being self destructive. I get my hair cut for a whole different reason.
What is the symbolism behind cutting your hair?
Ones hair has been historically at times, perceived to be ones personal "glory", if you will.
Biblically, Samson's hair - his very long hair - contained the essence of his great physical strength; by means of which he was able to rout all the philistines armed might that they could send against him. And as everyone knows, he lost his strength when Delila drugged him, and cut off his hair.
In WW II ravaged Europe, when a national slept with the enemy, a French woman with a German soldier, following the Germans defeat, the "collaborator" was hauled in front of a public gathering, and shorn of her hair, thereby disgracing her.
Traditionally - prior to the modern era - a person's hair has been looked upon as their crowning glory, man or woman. So to loose it, whether it be cut off by ones self or another, represents taking away their sense of personal beauty.
Does this satisfactorily explain it for you?
Hope so,
Wotan
What is the symbolism behind cutting your hair?
Traditionally the shaving of the head or the cutting off of the hair is a sign of shame. You can see it in the bible and even after world war two.
There are photos of the French shaving off the hair of women who collaborated with German soldiers for food and shelter.
They were publicly shamed.
It is commonly seen as a representation of someone's pride being stripped from them in several cultural contexts, but recently in media (particularly Japanese) it has been shown as a sign of starting anew or cutting ties with something or someone. This explains the trope of someone cutting their hair before going on a journey or leaving something behind.
ReplyDeleteI'm getting all of my shoulder length hair chopped off short next week. Firstly-badly damaged. Secondly-don't have much money, so why not get a big chop than a smaller one, Thirdly-happier new phase in my life, & lastly-summer is coming...!!
ReplyDeleteI cut my hair yesterday to feel more free I've always had long hair but I lost my love for it so I guess I cut my hair for a change of pace. My hair was rebelling against me every time I brushed it I'd have to cut more of it off no matter how I conditioned and pampered it so I figured it was telling me it was ready for a change as well it seems happier hanging loose anyway
ReplyDeleteIt might mean that it's a neutral act to which we give a meaning for attaining an unseen meaning for the days ahead. My take will surely be that it's a sign of new start as I just chopped my 11months long grown hairs today afternoon along with my father. Both of us had hairs covering the neck totally, and in my case it crossed the jaw when brought over the face.
ReplyDelete