Why monks had that haircut

There was a lot of thought behind the style — and controversy.

What was the deal with that monk haircut? In this episode of Vox Almanac, Phil Edwards explores the history and controversy behind the style.

Known as "tonsure," the typical monk hairstyle has many variations throughout religions. The particular hairstyle worn by Christian monks has its own variations and controversies as well. Three different types of tonsure were popular: a coronal tonsure, a Pauline tonsure, and a third Celtic tonsure that came to represent the differences between the Roman Catholic and Celtic Catholic church.

The winding path of this tonsure is a new way to look at the division within the religion and the unpredictable ways something like hair can represent faith.

[save_bandit]

Only 4th century kids will remember this trend

[selenebrown]

Day 8 of quarantine: learning about monk haircuts

[singergrl]

I had a friend in middle school who shaved his head like that for extra credit in our world history class. He got the credit.

[bentheben]

And so, why did monks have that haircut?

[mohdsaif]

Barber: How may I help you?
Monk: I like Saturn
Barber: Say no more

[univ]

They had that haircut to ensure a celibate life.

[AvenWildsmith]

Next time I see a skinhead, I'll be sure to tell him I like his pauline tonsure.

[partlyironic]

FOR THOSE WHO ACTUALLY WANTED THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION “WHY DO MONKS HAVE THAT HAIRCUT?”:

(This is a very quick answer to sum up a lot of historical discussion)

- Hair = riches, power, vanity and sexuality etc. In cutting off their hair, monks were showing their willingness to forgo worldly concerns, principally wealth and sexual relationships - for the same reason, Christian nuns cover their hair.
- alongside this, short hair mimicked those who had become slaves, showing them to be servants to christ
- it is thought that the original disciples of jesus similarly cut their hair
- there was also a strong element of group identity; those of a religious order were instantly recognisable
- it showed discipline; keeping hair in this style required maintenance and not doing so was often seen as abandoning the religious way of life

PS most believe, I think, that the Celtic tonsure was shaved in front of a line running from ear to ear. The Roman = crown of thorns, The Celtic = indicative of slavery

[nickeman]

My heart pounded hard when that skype sound appeared.

[davidfabella]

the "reverse bowlcut" basically

[gvillxtine]

okay but like am i going crazy or was the title question was never answered

[danielnator]

3:52 Those 7th century computer graphics

[jamescharles]

*Barber:* What you want fam?
*Monk:* that 4th century tonsure cut.
*Barber:* ...
*Monk:* ...You ever watch the three stooges?
*Barber:* I got you fam.

[blitzwaffe]

Monk's haircut: What I studied for on the exam
Bald spot: What's on the exam

[wilfredomartinez]

Barber:what do you want today
Monks:you've seen a halo
Barber:say nomore

[mechanicalfruit]

Pick your fighter

*MONK HAIRCUT*
or
*BOWL CUT*
or
*MULLET*

[Ycyjames]

1:45 I thought someone was calling me on skype loll

[ChaseWulff]

“Damn. I’m losing my hair. How can I keep people from knowing? I guess I could shave it just a little more and say it’s a religious thing.”

[cameronrudolph]

The very reason that this was ever used as a haircut is because that's exactly how guys lose their hair when they age...
the haircut is kind of like a "well there's already a spot there let's make it uniform and say we did it on purpose"

[TheDrummingWarrior]

Vox, answering all the questions you never asked