Last Updated on December 12, 2021 by Il-ham B
Since part of my blog focuses on hair and the benefits of certain products that aids in keeping it healthy and nourished. I figured I should look into why we consciously and subconsciously give hair so much importance. Our obsession with a long and healthy head of hair must have some deeper spiritual meaning attached to it. Other than simply complementing our features.
Purpose
We know that every single thing on our body serves its purpose. This includes all the hair that grows on the different parts of our bodies. Accordingly, human beings are the only species that grow hair longer on our heads compared to the rest of our bodies. The reason is to protect our head/brain from UV radiation. While simultaneously serving as a heat insulator during cold temperatures and a cooler when absorbed by sweat in warmer climates. Of course, when the hair on our heads is left uncut and undisturbed, it will grow to its perfect length. This is determined by your body and your genetics.
Moreover, we may mostly see hair as a fashion statement, a form of expression. Or quite literally, a dead protein that grows out of our scalp. We all spend a few minutes every day tending to it. Therefore, most women have a sense of attachment to their hair. In turn, Long, thick and healthy hair has become a standard of beauty that we search to attain. With that intention, we now see hair as something to style, dress, and look good. Losing its true purpose in the mix.
Hair is an extension of the nervous system, it can be correctly seen as exteriorized nerves, a type of highly evolved ‘feelers’ or ‘antennae’ that transmit vast amounts of important information to the brain stem, the limbic system, and the neocortex.
C. Young
Spiritual Meaning
I have noticed that Across the board, all if not most cultures have the same theory and ideology when it comes to hair. From the Native Indians to South Asian teachings and the African diaspora. The main idea is that hair is an antenna that connects us to the universe and our higher self. They believe that the tip of our hair is a conduit that can receive and send energy from the cosmos. By descending into our brain and body. The exchange of energy is done through the crown chakra. In detail, hair serves to balance the body’s electromagnetic field, while stimulating higher levels of creativity and consciousness. The hair on our heads is a reflection of our intuition, vitality, and health.
Hairs act as a kind of antennae to channel the ‘sun energy’ or ‘prana’ to the frontal lobe, which is the part of the brain reportedly used in visualisation and meditation.
Indian Yogic theory of Kundalini
Hair Cut
Once upon a time, hair was such an important identifier of one’s culture and identity. This made haircuts aside from the norm. Cut hair as a means of control. A way to show dominance over a conquered group of people and/or people that were enslaved. As a result, it was a method used to decrease or completely shed the power and the identities of those who were captured and forced into submission.
If you’ve ever heard of the story of Samson and Delilah, you would recall that Samson’s greatest strength derived from his (uncut) hair. Meanwhile, Delilah’s goal was to find the source of said strength. Well, long story short, Samson ended up losing his strength and his power due to Delilah betraying him. As he was asleep, she ordered some peasant off the street to cut off all his seven dreadlocks. In turn, they captured and enslaved him. He did end up growing back his hair and regaining his strength if you were wondering.
Even today, some cultures still don’t believe in cutting their hair. Haircuts are equated to cutting the access to your sixth sense. Making one numb to the unseen world around us. On the flip side, the shaving of one’s hair is a representation of a new beginning or starting anew. Further, it is a symbol of separating from one’s past or old thought patterns. Monks see this as an embodiment of letting go of worldly attachments in the pursuit of enlightenment.
It takes approximately three years from the last time your hair was cut for new antennas to form at the tips of the hair.
Yogi Bhajan
Hairstyle
Given that hair is the greatest identifier of beauty, we spend hours trying to convey a look or a feeling through our hairstyles. Did you know that different hairstyle equates to the different mind frames of a person? The native cultures seem to believe so. They equate the combing of one’s hair to the act of the alignment of thoughts. Braiding to the oneness/gathering of thoughts. Tying your hair as securing your thoughts and the color of your hair to the conviction in thought.
Locs
Likewise, within the broad African diaspora (more specifically Rastafarian culture), when afro-textured hair is left to do its own thing. It will naturally knots, mats, and lock together, giving you dreadlocks. Additionally, when considering that spiritual energy is said to leave the body through the crown chakra. It is believed that energy remains within the hair. In turn, this keeps the person stronger with a heightened sense of intuition. Furthermore, locks are also seen as high tension wires, that receive divine revelations from the source. All in all, It is also a representation of letting go of one’s physical vanity. This is comparable to the same understanding that Monks have when it comes to shaving their hair.
Braids & Afro-textured
On the other hand, natural Afro-textured hair, molded into braids or plaits is a sign of royalty and power. Whether sculpted into a style or not, the curls and spirals of our hair allow us a heightened ability to tune into higher realms and dimensions. I might be reading too much into this but think of the golden ratio. The Fibonacci spiral is represented in afro-textured hair by the way it grows and forms. This sequence is said to be the smart way to grow. It is nature’s way of being efficient by maximizing space, hence why our hair grows in volume. Just my observation.
Could afro-textured hair be so valuable that we’ve been thought to reject it? Asking for a friend.
Below are 3 tips to help you on your spiritual hair journey.
TIPS
1- Protect your ends. By moisturizing and oiling it so you don’t have to trim so often. Your ends are the oldest part of your hair, with that, you have to pay more attention to it.
2- Use natural products. Try as much as possible to use natural products with your regimen. Feed your antenna with the natural product instead of products filled with ingredients you/I cannot pronounce. It could be blocking your connection to the source.
CHECK OUT THESE POSTS ON NATURAL HAIR PRODUCTS:
– ALOE VERA – AMAZING FOR YOUR HAIR AND SKIN
– ROSE WATER – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
– SUNFLOWER SEED OIL – A BEAUTY STAPLE
3- Cover your hair. If you are already doing this, keep it up! Covering your hair before going to bed is essential to retaining moisture. It prevents your hair from rubbing on your cotton pillowcases. This causes your hair to dry out and break. Also, wrapping your hair is a form of protecting your energy. Hair is so sensitive to energy that it is sometimes a great idea to wrap your hair when out in public or large crowds. I guess that is why they call it a protective style.
After all, spirituality is such a broad spectrum. We all have our connection to the creator. The same could be said about the connection we have with our hair. In essence, what I have gathered is that hair is some sort of sensor. If you pay close attention, it will help you discern the intentions, situations, and the world around you. As well, it is an indication of where you are in your life. In other words, it is our freedom of expression.
To sum up, I feel the need to add that touching someone’s hair without their permission is straight-up disrespectful. Protect your crown Gems. Thank you for stopping by, and don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comment section below. Share this post with someone who could benefit.
