# I need a (religious) headgear primer! **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 11, 2000, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-religious-headgear-primer/44971 "2000-12-11T05:02:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2000, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-religious-headgear-primer/44971/1 "2000-12-11T05:02:18Z")
For years now I’ve wondered the meaning of some of the headwear that people (mostly men, come to think of it) wear around my town. I know some of it has a religious belief behind it, but I can’t tell which is which and what is what, and whether some of them are simply a fashion statement. Yarmulkes, I get, although I don’t know if different “designs” have significance. I know some jews wear a kippah, but I see some people wear a very similar style of hat, one of whom I know is muslim. Does his non-kippah have a special meaning? There are also men who wear turbans, some with a topknot. Does that designate a Sikh? Is there a website with this stuff on it? Anyone want to run a quick “Headwear 101” course for me? ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2000, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-religious-headgear-primer/44971/2 "2000-12-11T06:51:45Z")
Is the one with the propeller for informal occasions? ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2000, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-religious-headgear-primer/44971/3 "2000-12-11T08:44:41Z")
This probably won’t help too much, but it’s the best I could find. [http://www.civilization.ca/membrs/canhist/hats/hat21eng.html](http://www.civilization.ca/membrs/canhist/hats/hat21eng.html) ---
**Author:** ![sdimbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sdimbert/32/20204_2.png) [@sdimbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sdimbert)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2000, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-religious-headgear-primer/44971/4 "2000-12-11T15:01:24Z")
**Cranky** , From the JewFAQ: > [@](#): > > **Yarmulke** > The most commonly known and recognized piece of Jewish garb is actually the one with the least religious significance. The word yarmulke (usually, but not really correctly, pronounced yammica) is Yiddish. According to Leo Rosten’s The Joys of Yiddish, it comes from a Tartar word meaning skullcap. According to some Orthodox and Chasidic rabbis I know, it comes from the Aramaic words “yerai malka” (fear of or respect for The King). The Hebrew word for this head covering is kippah (pronounced key-pah). The underlined bit is what I was taught. > [@](#): > > It is an ancient practice for Jews to cover their heads during prayer. This probably derives from the fact that in Eastern cultures, it is a sign of respect to cover the head (the custom in Western cultures is the opposite: it is a sign of respect to remove one’s hat). Thus, by covering the head during prayer, one showed respect for G-d. In addition, in ancient Rome, servants were required to cover their heads while free men did not; thus, Jews covered their heads to show that they were servants of G-d. In medieval times, Jews covered their heads as a reminder that G-d is always above them. Whatever the reason given, however, covering the head has always been regarded more as a custom rather than a commandment. Ditto on the underlining. > [@](#): > > There is no special significance to the yarmulke as a specific type of head covering. Its light weight, compactness and discreteness make it a convenient choice of head gear. I am unaware of any connection between the yarmulke and the similar skullcap worn by the Pope. Hope that helps. ;j ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2000, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-religious-headgear-primer/44971/5 "2000-12-11T15:08:21Z")
The Muslim equivalent of the yarmulke is called a kufi. Like a yarmulke, it’s basically a skullcap. The style and color don’t indicate anything except the wearer’s preference. ---
**Author:** ![Tansu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/67e7ee/32.png) [@Tansu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tansu)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2000, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-religious-headgear-primer/44971/6 "2000-12-11T15:09:13Z")
Sikhs don’t cut their hair, so Sikh men wear turbans to keep their hair in. Sikh boys wear a little cloth topknot — a kind of pre-turban, if you like. It’s the uncut hair (kesh) rather than the turban itself that has religious significance. However, members of the Khalsa (a Sikh order of the pure) always wear turbans. Muslim clerics often wear a turban. The Muslim turban tends to be fatter and wider than the Sikh turban, and is wound around either a skullcap or a hard fez-like hat.