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Hair, Christian Modes of Wearing

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In the early Church the clergy sometimes wore long hair, but the custom of cutting it short, in. distinction from pagans, soon became general, and at length shaving it altogether, even to a bare spot upon the crown, was introduced as a monkish habit. (See TONSURE). Penitents cut their hair short as a sign of humiliation. Laymen usually wore long hair, but ringlets were regarded as a mark of effeminacy. Women were enjoined to wear long hair, but modestly arrayed. False hair was strongly denounced.