intonsus

Intonsus is a Latin adjective meaning "unshorn" or "uncut". It is most famously associated with the epithet "Apollo Intonsus", a form of the Greek god Apollo. This epithet highlights a particular aspect of his iconography, portraying him with his hair left naturally long and unadorned, rather than being styled or cut in the manner of other gods or mortals. This depiction suggests a connection to a more primal, wild, or uncultivated state.

The concept of Apollo Intonsus appears in ancient Roman literature and art. It contrasts with other representations of Apollo where he is shown with meticulously coiffed hair, often signifying his role as a god of order, music, and prophecy. The imagery of Apollo Intonsus can be interpreted in various ways, perhaps emphasizing his divine nature as being beyond the need for mortal grooming rituals, or suggesting a link to aspects of nature and untamed beauty. The term has occasionally been used in later artistic and literary contexts to evoke similar themes of natural state or unrestrained growth.