Headdresses

A headdress is any covering or ornament worn on the head. The term encompasses a broad range of items, from practical hats and veils to ceremonial crowns and religious garlands. Headdresses may be worn for protection, warmth, or fashion, but in many cultures they also convey social meaning, indicating status, affiliation, gender, role, or spiritual significance.

Forms vary widely by region and tradition. Crowns and diadems signify authority or sacred office; turbans and headwraps appear across South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa; veils and headscarves serve modesty or ritual purposes; and more elaborate pieces incorporate feathers, beads, metal, shells, or embroidery. Everyday headdresses range from simple caps to tailored hats, while ceremonial versions may be highly ornate.

Historically, headdresses appear in nearly every culture, from ancient monarchies to tribal societies and religious orders. They have been used in rites of passage, coronations, dances, and warfare, as well as in theater and art. In modern times, headdresses continue to be preserved as heritage objects, adapted in fashion, or recreated for performance, with attention to cultural context and issues of consent and representation.