Hairstyles of girls and married women in the light of Slavic tradition. Slavic men's haircuts: history and photos Slavic men's haircuts

Slavic hairstyles were simple and practical. Girls wore long braids, decorated with ribbons and original head sets. A long thick braid was considered a symbol of beauty; Russian folk hairstyles were based on three-strand braiding. Modern fashionistas also use traditional styling, adding a touch of individuality.

Style Description

The hairstyles of ancient Rus' were not original. The common people and the nobility wore the same models, differing only in the decoration of their head sets and clothing. Women's hairstyles were regulated by church laws, girls wore one braid, and married women braided two. Traditional three-strand weaving symbolized beauty, health, and vitality. The thicker and longer the braid was, the more beautiful the girl was considered.

Ribbons woven into a spikelet meant engagement and imminent marriage. After marriage, a woman could not appear in public with her head uncovered, and two braids were considered a traditional hairstyle. One filled the keeper of the hearth with vital energy, the second protected her children. Hair had a special meaning; during illnesses it was let down and carefully combed for a quick recovery. It was a real shame for a girl to have her hair cut off, just as it was for a married woman to appear in public without a headscarf or kokoshnik.

Everything changed in the 18th century, peasants continued to wear traditional weaves. High society was influenced by French fashion, and bulky wig designs were popular. Worn by both men and women, they preferred the voluminous “Poodle” and “Mane” versions. Such products were very expensive and only representatives of high society could decorate their heads with lush wigs. The barbers were replaced by hairdressers who not only created artificial hairpieces, but also applied makeup. Appearance was given great importance, entire images were created, hairdressers were considered people close to art.

In the 19th century, bulky wigs were replaced by antique hairstyles. Men no longer wore complex designs, but cut their hair short. For beauties, models were offered for medium length; the strands were curled into various curls, which were placed on the crown, crown, and temples. Symmetrical styling, which was decorated with lace, beads, and ribbons, came into fashion.

In the twentieth century, under the influence of historical events, practical haircuts and androgenic forms appeared. The new time was also reflected in hairdressing; fashionistas chose pageboys, bobs, bobs, “Garson”, “Sesson”, “Pixie”. Long hair was no longer associated with femininity and beauty; traditional braids were only braided by schoolgirls. In the 21st century, long hair has returned to fashion, and thanks to the influence of many cultures, new variations of weaving have appeared. Only the Russian braid has remained unchanged, on the basis of which today complex, modern hairstyles are created.

Characteristics of Russian style:

• the main features of the hairstyle are symmetry, braided hair neatly arranged in a tight braid, bangs were rarely used in folk hairstyles, which made it possible to emphasize facial features;
• the makeup was distinguished by bright colors, the girls highlighted their eyes and eyebrows with black coals, they used beetroot juice for their lips and cheeks, the more blush the beauty, the more beautiful she was considered;
• in clothing, the quality of fabric, embroidery, painting, colorful, floral designs was valued; the national costume included a white shirt and a floor-length sundress with thin straps; a headdress - a kokoshnik or a scarf - was a mandatory attribute.

Characteristic features of hairstyles

Slavic traditions made it possible to grow long braids, and in Rus' they looked after their curls no less carefully than today. Girls could spend hours combing their locks with wooden combs, charming their hair to add beauty. The first rinses were infusions of herbs, and to prevent the braid from becoming frizzy and maintaining a neat shape, the mop was moistened with salt water.

Distinctive features of hairstyles in the Russian style:

• hair is not cut, maximum length is valued;
• curls are not dyed, natural shine and shine are achieved through careful care;
• differ in symmetry, are performed mainly without bangs, options with straight bangs are possible;
• the main hairstyle is a three-strand braid, spikelets were also worn around the head, and the hair was collected in a bun;
• hair was tied tightly, a hairstyle with stray strands or protruding “roosters” was considered unsuccessful;
• headdresses and multi-colored ribbons were often used.

Who suits Russian style hairstyles:

• the hairstyle will decorate not only those with Slavic appearance, it will suit young ladies of contrasting types with expressive facial features, curly and curly locks;
• recommended for young girls, traditional weaving will emphasize the tenderness and beauty of youth;
• mature women should choose hairstyles with correction properties, a voluminous crown, and face-framing strands;
• Vintage hairstyles emphasize a graceful silhouette; collected hair suits slender, tall and petite young ladies.

Important point! Traditional styling should be combined with modern stylistic trends: boho, grunge, casual, romantic, pajama style.

Hairstyles in the Russian style can be done at any length. An ethnic image is created not only thanks to special styling. It is worth paying attention to details and accessories. For many, a braid will be an excellent option for every day. It is recommended to choose for a special event, complementing with the appropriate outfit:

• It is better to create assembled models on the second day after washing your hair or use styling products so that the strands do not get out of the overall head;
• to add volume to a sparse braid, it is recommended to twist the main part of the hair; you can also use extension tresses to increase the length, the material is selected to match the color of the curls;
• there are no backcombs or strands around the face, straight bangs are allowed, the hairstyle is quite simple, notes of originality are created with the help of details;
• A vertical central parting and three-strand weaving add symmetry to the styling; you can also collect the curls in a spikelet or bun, combing the curls smoothly back.

To create a hairstyle in the Russian style, you need to choose the right accessories. Scarves, ribbons, kokoshniks will look stylish, modern, combined not only with dresses a la lady, but also with current casual, grunge, and glamorous chic.

Is it possible to do the styling yourself?

Vintage hairstyles are easy to create with your own hands. To perform hairstyles based on the Russian braid, you can watch Lilith Moon’s video; the step-by-step technique will provide the desired result. The different arrangement of braids will allow you to choose a hairstyle for different types of appearance.

Tools for styling in the Russian style:

• a brush for combing the entire head, choose depending on the type of hair, so that the curls are well separated and do not frizz;
• a flat comb will be required for parting, creating a smooth styling, and straight combing of the weave;
• gel, wax, varnish or fondant are used to create neat styling;
• bobby pins, hairpins, elastic bands will allow you to fix the braid, maintaining its shape for as long as possible;
• hair accessories - kokoshnik, scarf, hoop, ribbons, lace.

Hairstyles with braids for every day are quick and easy.

Options for haircuts, hairstyles, styling for different hair lengths

The styling for folk dances is distinguished not by the complexity of its execution, but by the luxurious headdresses. Performed on long curls, a thick, thick braid is a mandatory element of the hairstyle. The curls are combed back, focusing attention on the face. Suitable for young girls with regular, expressive features, elongated, triangular oval shape.

The braid around the head is done at a medium length and below the shoulders. Suitable for young ladies with chiseled facial features and regular oval shape. A convenient, practical styling option, also used for special occasions. To add characteristic ethnic notes, you can weave ribbons or combine them with a Russian-style outfit.

For long curls, it is recommended to choose models with one or two braids. Simple styling emphasizes girlish beauty and tenderness. Suitable for young ladies who prefer natural beauty. Symmetrical hairstyles focus attention on the face, long braids emphasize a slender, fragile silhouette. A comfortable hairstyle for every day allows you to maintain a neat shape and prevent long locks from tangling. With the help of accessories, ribbons, wreaths, headbands, it is easy to create a festive look.

Hairstyles with kokoshniks look stylish and modern. They are combined with braids on medium and long locks, but can also be done on short locks. The headdress draws all the attention to itself and hides the absence of a luxurious head of hair. It is recommended to select an accessory to match your main outfit; you can create an image not only for photo shoots, but also for special events. Suitable for slender, tall girls, petite young ladies need to choose neat, small models of Russian attire.

Modern young ladies use collected hairstyles with a scarf, creating unique images. Suitable for the cold season, chosen by girls of a model type of appearance. Thanks to the headdress, you can create a Russian style with a modern interpretation. Hairstyles with a scarf are recommended for young ladies with impeccable appearance.

Advantages and disadvantages

Many fashionistas are abandoning ancient hairstyles, but the three-strand braid is the basis of many modern models. Considering the advantages and disadvantages of weaving, it is easy to create a bright, original image.

Pros:

• maintains neat shape throughout the day;
• simple weaving technology does not cause difficulty even for beginners;
• can be combined with modern stylistic trends;
• Russian braid corresponds to current hairdressing trends;
• performed on straight, curly, curly hair;
• original accessories allow you to create individual looks.

Minuses:

• not suitable for mature or overweight women;
• the hairstyle does not have anti-aging, corrective properties and focuses attention on imperfections;
• It won’t work on short strands.

Stellar examples

Ksenia Sobchak chooses traditional braids for social events.

Ulyana Sergeenko not only develops successful collections, inspired by the traditions of ancient Rus'. The designer herself uses stylish looks with collected curls for social events.

Gigi Hadid pairs a long waist-length braid with a red suit and wide choker.

Natalya Vodyanova often appears with collected hair, emphasizing the supermodel's unique appearance.

Useful video

Weaving a Russian braid.

And powdered wigs, bobs and modest girlish braids, complex extensions and light curls. We have prepared for you a short guide to Russian hairstyles: from ancient times to the end of the 19th century.

Ancient Rus' and the post-Mongol period: bowl haircuts and ubruses

Vasily Tropinin. Portrait of a Ukrainian peasant. Late 1830s - early 1840s. Kyiv National Museum of Russian Art, Ukraine

Konstantin Makovsky. Portrait of a girl in Russian costume. 1810s. Private collection

Vasily Tropinini. Portrait of an elderly Ukrainian peasant. 1820. Nizhny Tagil Museum of Fine Arts, Nizhny Tagil

Men's and women's hairstyles in Rus' were simple and of the same type. The most common men's haircut is the bowl haircut. It was popular among young people: they put a clay vessel on the head and cut the hair along the edge. The “brace” hairstyle was shorter: on the sides to the middle of the ears, and in the front to the middle of the forehead. Older men typically wore shoulder-length hair and grew long beards.

In some ancient miniatures and frescoes there are images of men with long locks of hair hanging down one side. Grand Duke Svyatoslav Igorevich is depicted with such a haircut in the handwritten book “Svyatoslav’s Collection”.

“The prince’s hairstyle consisted of a long tuft of hair on a shaved head. The lock was divided into two strands that hung on both sides of the face. The beard that complemented the hairstyle was sparse, but the mustache was thick and long. An earring with precious stones was placed in the ear.”

In Ancient Rus', hair was not a sign of social affiliation: both princes and peasants could wear the same hairstyles. The difference in origin was emphasized by the headdress. The poor wore caps made of cheap cloth, and the nobility wore hats made of leather and velvet, decorated with gold, silver and precious stones.

Women's appearance was influenced by church regulations: after marriage, hair should be hidden under scarves or other headdresses. Showing your hair to strangers was unacceptable - it was called “foolishness” and was considered a disgrace. Women wore kokoshniks and ubruses - cloths that were tied over a light hat. Unmarried girls could go without headdresses: they braided their hair and decorated their hair with multi-colored ribbons.

15th–17th centuries: short bangs and spade beard

Ilya Repin. Bearded peasant. 1879. Private collection

Konstantin Makovsky. Russian beauty. XIX century. Private collection

Ilya Repin. Belarusian. 1892. State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg

In the following centuries, haircuts became shorter. Men continued to wear beards at this time. She was released immediately after reaching adulthood, was not shaved for the rest of her life, and was only cut into a certain shape. The most popular styles are: spiky beards, round beards, split beards and spade beards.

A shaved face was a sign of youth and adolescence. Vasily III got rid of his beard after marrying a princess of Serbian-Lithuanian origin, Elena Glinskaya. Following the prince, his retinue shaved. But soon rumors began to spread about the eccentricities of the authorities, and Vasily III grew a beard again, fearing popular unrest.

The fashion for a smooth face returned during the Time of Troubles under the influence of the Poles. And again not for long: Alexei Mikhailovich, having come to rule, issued laws banning short haircuts and shaving the beard. They stated that no one “I didn’t accept foreign, German and other customs, I didn’t cut the hair on my head, and I didn’t wear dresses or hats from foreign samples.”. There is evidence that in 1675, Prince Koltsov-Masalsky disobeyed the royal decree, gave himself a short haircut and, because of this, lost his rank.

Women's fashion during this period remained virtually unchanged: girls still braided their hair, married women wore closed headdresses “in public.”

18th century: “rat tails” and “frigates”

Karl Ludwik Christinek. Portrait of Count Alexei Orlov-Chesmensky. 1768. Primorsky State Art Gallery, Vladivostok

Dmitry Levitsky. Portrait of Ekaterina Molchanova. 1776. State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg

Ivan Nikitin. Portrait of Gabriel Golovkin. 1720. State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow

Attitudes towards hairstyles changed dramatically in the 18th century. The peasants remained faithful to the traditions of past centuries, and high society began to follow French fashion. At the peak of popularity were bulky wigs of the “mane” and “poodle” styles - both women and men were adorned with them. Wigs were expensive: for example, during the reign of Elizabeth Petrovna, a hair structure could be bought for 5 rubles. For comparison: a pound of wheat (16.3 kilograms) was sold for 64 kopecks, and a large bag of sugar for 2.5 rubles.

Before this, everyone had their hair cut by barbers, who still bled, pulled out teeth, and even prescribed some medications. And now “stylists” from France came to Russia, people of a new profession - hairdressers. They not only did hairstyles and made wigs from false hair, but also did makeup for ladies and gentlemen. Hairdressers were considered people close to art and were called “toupe artists” (from the French word “toup” - a strand of hair).

“This was not a simple, banal master with a toupee comb behind his ear and a tin of rouge ground in lard, but he was a man with ideas - in a word, an artist.”

Nikolai Leskov, story “The Stupid Artist”

Men at court followed not only French fashion. During the reign of Anna Ioannovna, “Prussian braids” or “rat tails” became widespread: powdered wigs with curls and a braid. In 1731, this hairstyle was officially introduced into the Russian army for representatives of all ranks. Only privates could powder their hair only on special occasions. The decree was canceled by Alexander I almost 70 years later.

In the 18th century, court ladies and representatives of the upper classes preferred complex composite hairstyles with additions of chignons and curls. One of the most popular was the “fontage” - a high bouffant, decorated with starched lace and pearls. Desperate fashionistas erected structures in the shape of ships and frigates on their hair. In France, this hairdressing design was called á la Belle Poule, after the warship Belle Poule. It is believed that Queen Marie Antoinette was the first to wear such a hairstyle, and half of Europe imitated her, including Russian ladies.

19th century: ancient elegance and sophistication of romanticism

Wilhelm Kaulbach. Portrait of Franz Liszt. 1856. Franz Liszt Memorial Museum, Budapest, Hungary

Vladimir Borovikovsky. Portrait of Alexey and Alexandra Lobanov-Rostovsky. 1814. State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg

Karl Bryullov. Portrait of Princess Elena Pavlovna. 1828-1829. Private collection

In the 19th century, hairstyle fashion changed quickly: new forms appeared almost every ten years. Fashion was dictated mainly by France, and all the new hairdressing products came from there.

At the beginning of the century, Russia was captured by the ancient theme.

“Hat shops and hair salons housed busts of ancient gods and citizens of ancient times. In hairstyles they began to imitate the ancient fashions of Greece and Rome.”

Men no longer wore wigs or powdered their hair; they cut their hair short and styled their hair neatly. The most popular haircut of those years - “a la Titus” - was reminiscent of the image of a Roman emperor from the Flavian dynasty. Men's hairstyles were often complemented with short, narrow sideburns, which were called “favorites.”

Women at the beginning of the 19th century also wore short hair, which was curled in a variety of ways. There were many types of curls: spiral and tubular, flat and round, ribbon and shaving-like. A hairstyle “a la Ninon” with bangs, curls and a flat chignon at the back of the head came into fashion.

The era of romanticism brought fashion for semi-long hair - bobs - for men. Such haircuts were especially popular among writers, artists and musicians. It is believed that the founder of the fashion was the public's favorite, pianist Franz Liszt.

Women's hairstyles in the middle of the century again became more complex: they were complemented with false curls and braids, decorated with feathers, flowers, combs, and precious stones. Proportional styling came into fashion, when the hair was divided into two equal parts and collected into rolls or hemispheres.

In 1886, the first curling tool appeared in St. Petersburg - the Marcel curling iron. They created a sensation in hairdressing - and the fashion for women's hairstyles began to change rapidly. Hairdressers experimented with silhouettes, curling and styling long hair in a variety of ways.

At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, a new men's haircut appeared - “a la Capoul,” named after the French tenor singer Victor Capoul. The hair was parted in the middle and laid in a semicircle on both sides, leaving short bangs. Writers ridiculed the widespread popularity. In the story “The Businessman” Russian hairstyles from Ancient Rus' to the beginning of the 20th century

But I was always interested in history. And she is very interested to know what hairstyles warriors wore in ancient times.

It is quite difficult to answer this question, since neither skin nor hair survives in the ground for a long time. Sometimes it is possible to detect their remains, but for this they had to, for example, come into contact with metal. However, such cases are very rare, so we will catch information about hairstyles not in graves, but in images or in the texts of chronicles or chronicles.

Let's start from the depths - that is, from Ancient Rome.

Long hair and a beard were the style favored by patricians during the time when Rome was a Republic. Then, towards the end of the Republic, beards began to be shaved off and the hair on the head was cut as short as possible.

Then began the era of soldier emperors. These were warriors who became the head of Rome with the help of legions loyal to them. And although they thought like soldiers, they brought beards back into fashion. Then beards began to be shaved again - and already in the ruins of Western Rome, when its greatness was concentrated in Byzantium, shaving again became fashionable.

Well, during the Crusades, shaving became the lot of palace eunuchs. As they say, they shaved it clean...

Dark Ages

By the way, about the smoking ruins of Great Rome. The barbarians who defeated the Empire of the Eternal City were representatives of a variety of tribes.

The Goths cut all the hair on their heads short except for bangs. It is interesting that the fashion for such a hairstyle spread to Byzantium, where it became incredibly popular at the court of the emperor.

In 1998, the author of these lines encountered such “Gothic” hairstyles in the valiant Russian army. For example, junior sergeant M. grew a forelock of incredible length and hid it under an “Afghan” cap, while the back of his head and sideburns were trimmed to three millimeters.

The Franks came up with the formula “the longer the hair, the higher the status.” It is not for nothing that the kings are called “long-haired”. Even after accepting Christianity, the Franks continued to believe that hair contains the power that gives its owners all the most useful things - health, luck, strength.

In a word, complete agreement with the Old Testament story about the strongman Samson, who lost all his power after his wife cut off his long hair in a dream. Apparently this is why the Franks remained unconvinced about hair. Whenever the Franks deposed their next king, the first thing they did was shave his head.

Scandinavia

Since Scandinavia was located on the very edge of Europe, the fashion for long hair and beards lingered there for a long time. Sagas often talk about long, well-groomed hair as a sign of a rich and noble Scandinavian.

For example, we talked about King Harald the Shaggy, who vowed not to cut his hair until he achieved his goal. We wrote about him and his goals in the article. The ruler turned out to be very purposeful.

A similar incident, only from much more recent times, was sung by “Chizhom and Company” in the song “Partisan Beard.” And, by the way, it has real roots.

Meet Grigory Ivanovich Penezhko. Hero of the Soviet Union - his tank destroyed five German Tigers in one battle, three of them after the Germans decided that the Thirty-Four and its crew were dead. As a result, the 31st Tank Brigade was able to escape from the encirclement.

When the Great Patriotic War began, he swore off shaving until Germany was completely defeated, and very soon became the owner of a huge beard. Only on June 24, after the Victory Parade, did he shave it off and give it to friends as souvenirs.

Hairstyle of Prince Svyatoslav Igorevich

This is a sore subject, perfect for debate. There is a description by the Greek historian Leo the Deacon, who described the appearance of Prince Svyatoslav Igorevich this way: “(...) His head was completely naked, but a tuft of hair hung from one side of it - a sign of the nobility of the family.”

The Byzantine did not include a picture, and what was meant by the tuft of hair is unclear. Now this gives rise to a lot of versions. Some say it’s the hair on the shaved top of the head, the so-called “oseledets”, others say it’s a tuft of hair on the side of the head, above the ear.

Still others put forward an equally interesting version. They say that the entire squad, including Svyatoslav Igorevich, shaved their heads before the campaign. And since long hair was a sign of his noble family, the prince left a tuft of his old hairstyle.

Something similar can be found on a dish made by Bulgarian craftsmen. Here it is:

However, the hairstyle of Prince Svyatoslav Igorevich is the hairstyle of Prince Svyatoslav Igorevich. His namesake, Svyatoslav Yaroslavich, preferred a different image.

Here is a miniature from the 11th century, decorating one of the most ancient Russian books - Izbornik Svyatoslav.

As we see, Prince Svyatoslav Yaroslavich and his sons, as well as his nephew Yaropolk, are depicted with fairly short hair.

Hairstyle of Prince Yaropolk Izyaslavich

And here is a miniature of the same times from the Trier Psalter, which is also called the “Gertrude Code”. On it we see the Grand Duke of Kyiv Izyaslav Yaroslavich, grandson of Yaroslav the Wise. It looks very much like the prince has a bowl cut haircut.

Hairstyle of Prince Vsevolod the Big Nest

The northern facade of the Dmitrievsky Cathedral in the city of Vladimir is decorated with a bas-relief. It depicts Prince Vsevolod Yurievich, nicknamed the Big Nest.

The nickname stuck to him thanks to the large number of children. He (the tenth son of Yuri Dolgoruky) was the father of eight sons and daddy of four daughters. The sons (though not all) are depicted in the bas-relief around the father. Let's call them by name.

• Konstantin "the Good", the first prince of the newly formed Rostov principality,
• Yuri is the founder of Nizhny Novgorod,
• Yaroslav - father of Alexander Nevsky,
• Svyatoslav - destroyed the Bulgarian city of Oshel in 1220
• Gleb.

As we can see, none of them wears anything similar to the hairstyle of Prince Svyatoslav Igorevich. Moreover, hair styled in this way will not seem like an extreme style even today, that is, eight hundred years later.

Now let's move to the West.

Hairstyles of European warriors of the 11th-12th centuries

For example, take the famous Bayo Carpet. It depicts the confrontation between the Anglo-Saxons and Norman warriors.

The Normans generally shave their faces, although a couple of warriors wear mustaches. But their hairstyles were very colorful - they shaved their heads to the back and sides. However, this fashion did not last long.

The Anglo-Saxons, on the contrary, wore long mustaches. And since we’re talking about mustaches, it’s time to return to Mother Rus', but at a later time.

Hairstyles of Novgorodians of the XIV-XV centuries

Carved panels from the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in the city of Stralsund depict Novgorod hunters with long braids. The carving dates back to 1400 or so.

This is one of the most unusual images of Russian people of that time. Whether they really walked around Novgorod like this or is it the author’s fantasy is still unclear.

But the description of the traveler Gilbert de Lannoy, who visited Novgorod around 1415, is very apropos, at about the same time at which the above panels were made. So here it is. De Lannoy writes that in Novgorod women wear two braids, and men wear one.

And here is a fragment of the famous icon “Praying Novgorodians”, on which we see the Novgorod boyars:

Here is a more familiar image of Novgorod townspeople: everything is as it should be and beards without fanaticism.

The most versatile hairstyle

Well, the most universal, timeless hairstyle is found in one of the miniatures of the Radziwill Chronicle. Look at the warrior on the left. He's completely bald!

On this positive note, we end today’s article and go to the hairdresser...

Sources:

• Materials from “Also Forum”
• Constable D. Beards in history. Symbols, fashions, perception // Odyssey. Man in history. 1994. M., 1994. S. 165-181.
• Photo from the archive of the historical club “Bear Yard” (Ufa)
• Fragment of Nikolai Ovechkin’s painting “The Last Battle of Svyatoslav”

Since ancient times, hair has had a special meaning for humans. It is not for nothing that sorcerers used strands of hair in their magical rituals. Moreover, most often the purpose of such rituals was to cause harm to health.

The power is in the hair

It cannot be said that in ancient times the length of men's hair was absolutely equal to the length of women's. Male Slavs regularly cut their hair, but nevertheless their hairstyles were never too short. Men's hair was cut so that the back of the head and ears were covered. The hair was combed from the crown in a circle or simply combed back. Until the 10th century, the parting remained popular among princes, with hair length reaching to the shoulders.

Our ancestors believed that it was through their hair that they acquired special power from the gods, the surrounding nature and their ancestors. It is not for nothing that hair has often been compared to a wheat field. Long ears receive more life-giving moisture from the Mother of the Raw Earth and more light from the Sun - Yaril. And the warning of the Slavic god Svarog said: “Do not cut your brown hair, different hair, and with gray hair, for you will not comprehend the Wisdom of God and you will lose your health.”

Long hair in Rus' was associated not only with strength, but also with wisdom. It was believed that the greater their length, the wiser their owner. He receives this wisdom from above, as they would say now - from space. It’s not for nothing that the word “cosmos” is so similar to “cosmos”.

How they cut their hair

Children under a certain age in Rus' did not have their hair cut at all. Before the tonsure ceremony, little Slavs were considered asexual. Boys and girls wore the same clothes and had the same long hair. At the age of 3-7 years, depending on the area, boys had their hair cut, first sitting them next to objects symbolizing masculinity. It could be a harrow, an ax or a saber. Only after they had had their hair cut were boys dressed in men's clothing.

Traditions

In the old days, not only women, but also men treated their hair with care. Cutting a man's hair
Only his wife or other close relative was eligible. The cut hairs were thrown into a burning oven or buried under a fruit tree so that the man would not lose his vitality, and also so that no one could use his hair for evil purposes.

Russian hairstyles can be easily recognized in any corner of the world. Slavic hairstyles are always distinguished by their originality and contrast sharply with the hairstyles of other peoples.
Slavic hairstyle (and its variant - Russian hairstyles) has always been associated with a spiritual component and filled with moral meaning. They looked after their hair very carefully, and did not rearrange their hairstyles in pursuit of changing fashion. Hair was closely connected with a person’s inner strength, and the hairstyle directed it in the required direction.

The main thing is not to be “foolish”

Until now, in the Russian language there is this word that carries an openly negative meaning. Children were called “simple-haired,” that is, having loose hair and an uncovered head. For adults, such a hairstyle was considered extremely indecent - loose hair was a sign of uncontrollable desires and the inability to cope with one’s passions. Unmarried women wore a braid, married women gathered their hair at the back or on the top of the head and always covered their curls. Men also always wore hats and never took off their hats when not in their home. Even Russian princes wore their heads covered in church. This is what Russian hairstyles looked like.
Hair has always been associated with human sexual energy, and covered hair or collected hair spoke of chastity, as well as purity of thoughts.

Hair length

Women very rarely cut their hair. Femininity has long been associated with long curls. Only some women, who were significantly hampered by the burden of hair during work, could allow themselves to cut their hair short, gather it into an elegant hairstyle and cover it with a “headband” on top.
Men wore semi-long hair (typical Russian hairstyles). Because too short hair deprived one of strength, and very long hair was a sign of an outcast, a person whose soul was not devoted to his homeland. The hairstyles of ordinary men were not much different from the hairstyles of warriors - like the latter, they all preferred to wear medium-length hair, which was gathered on the forehead with a braid. This fact contains a deep meaning: every man is a hero who is always ready for a feat, always ready to protect his own land from invasion.
To make wearing a helmet more comfortable, warriors who defended their land often grew a forelock on the top of their head, which was wrapped in a special way and thereby softened the friction of the helmet.

Hair care products

The Slavs carefully looked after their hair - unclean hair was simply unacceptable. Natural recipes were used to wash hair. Hair was washed with curdled milk, egg yolk or soaked bread. They rinsed their hair with herbal decoctions, they were also used to dye their hair and, whenever possible, they painted over gray hair. When shaping the hairstyle, combs and ribbons were used.

Russian braid

The braid is a standard hairstyle for Slavic women. On special occasions, the braid could be decorated with fabric or jewelry. The braid could take on a wide variety of shapes on the head of its owner. In most cases, the length of the braid allowed you to show your imagination and wrap it around your head in an intricate shape. The famous “lady with a braid” is an image advertised nowadays by Yulia Tymoshenko.
At all fashion shows, the braid is a symbol of femininity and is associated with Slavic traditions.
By the way, the Givenchy fashion house, when creating a collection of women's clothing, used Russian style and Russian hairstyles as a basic motif. The collection was characterized by grace and modesty, and the models wore a chic braid styled in a “wreath” on their heads. Among the models there were both blondes and sizzling brunettes, and even black ladies. The latter said that they were very pleased to wear this hairstyle, since it resembles original African hairstyles, and the only difference is that in Afro hairstyles there is not just one braid, but significantly more. The Slavic braid has long become a symbol of the integrity and virtue of human nature.