My son just asked me some details about the wedding of a Jewish friend that I recently attended, and I had the same experience we all do occasionally of being embarrassingly ignorant. So where else to ask but here?
What is the origin of the Jewish tradition of wearing yarmulkes at religious occasions? What is it intended to signify, and when did it start? Why is its use restricted to men? And is it proper for gentiles to wear them at weddings?
Much obliged.
The Judaism 101 website says of the 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).
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.
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.
I would joke with my friends at hebrew school that it was what was left when they cut out the middle of hats to make visors.