Headscarf

A headscarf is a scarf covering most or all of the top of a person's, usually women's, hair and head, leaving the face uncovered.

[1] Headscarves may be worn for a variety of purposes, such as protection of the head or hair from rain, wind, dirt, cold, warmth, for sanitation, for fashion, recognition or social distinction; with religious significance, to hide baldness, out of modesty, or other forms of social convention.

[6] For Eastern Orthodox Christians, headscarves are traditionally worn by women while attending the church, and historically, in the public as well.

Headscarves may specifically have a religious significance or function, or be expected as a matter of social custom, the two very often being confused.

[citation needed] Judaism, under Halakhah (Jewish Law), promotes modest dress among women and men.

Many married Orthodox Jewish women wear a headscarf (mitpahat or tichel), snood, turban, shpitzel or a wig to cover their hair.

[18][3][19][20][21] The practice continues in many parts of the world, such as Romania, Russia, Ukraine, Ethiopia, India, Pakistan, and South Korea.

[7][23] The Church Fathers taught that because the hair of a woman has sexual potency, it should only be for her husband to see and covered the rest of the time.

[24] To some extent, the covering of the head depended on where the woman was, but it was usually outside and on formal occasions, especially when praying at home and worshipping in church.

[22][25] Certain styles of Christian head coverings were an indication of married status; the "matron's cap" is a general term for these.

[32][22] At times the styles of covering using simple cloth became very elaborate, with complicated layers and folding, held in place with hair pins.

Among the many terms for head-coverings made of flexible cloth are wimple, hennin, kerchief, gable hood, as well as light hats, mob caps and bonnets.

In many parts of Europe, headscarves are used mainly[citation needed] by elderly women, and this led to the use of the term "babushka", an East Slavic word meaning "grandmother".

Hilda Ogden, popular character from the UK soap opera Coronation Street portrayed by Jean Alexander, became famous throughout the nation for combining a headscarf with hair curlers.