Many people have a point on their head that their hair swirls around. (I believe there is a mathematical proof that in order to cover a sphere with lines, there must be such a point.)
My first question is whether there is a name for this “swirl point” on your head. (Yeah, I know the mathematical term is “singularity,” but I’m thinking there is more of a common name.)
The second question, and the reason for this post, is: where is this point on YOUR head and which way does it swirl?
Most that I have observed are located at the top rear of the scalp, offset to either the right or left. I haven’t specifically noticed whether clockwise or counter-clockwise swirls predominate. I don’t know whether the direction of the swirl (clockwise or counter-clockwise) is randomly distributed or whether one direction predominates, like right-handedness. Come to think of it, I suppose it is possible that there doesn’t have to be a swirl; the hair could just radiate away from the point, straight out in all directions. Or if your hair doesn’t lay down but sticks straight out of your head, you might not have this point at all.
All responses should include location of your “swirl point” and direction of the swirl, if any. Answer to the first question would also be appreciated.
Mine: Top rear of head, offset about one and a half inches to the right side. Clockwise.
Confession: I haven’t posted a great deal here, but I believe this is my most mindless, pointless post by far, so I was tempted to put it in MPSIMS, but the descriptions say polls belong in IMHO.
I’ve got a double crown so some of each. Also a little widow’s peak. Plus natural wave that is not very symmetrical so I get it permed to make it behave.
It’s called a “hair whorl” and there has been some suggestion that there is a relation between location/direction and handedness. So it would be interesting for people to also state their handedness. It can be hard to locate the whorl though, particularly with curly hair - you may need somebody to help look for it (usually the very top back of the head, near where a high ponytail would be worn).
Mine’s back-top of my head, on my left. It swirls clockwise, but is kind of cowlicky so it’s hard to tell (had to peer at it in the mirror). I’ve also got a bit at the back hairline to my right where it all lays funny. And a widow’s peak (slightly higher up than it used to be). Right handed.
My crown is slightly to the left of centre, with hardly any swirl at all - more or less a radial rosette. (I may be remembering it wrongly, but I think the mathematical proof only demands a rosette, not a swirl). Perhaps a slight anticlockwise swirl, when I’m in the Northern Hemishphere.
In Spanish it’s a cresta (like for a cockerel) or remolino (swirl), depending on whether the hair tries to stand up or not.
One of my bros has a clockwise crest. If you picture the head like a cube, it would be about the top back left vertice. The other one has a clockwise swirl right on top of his head.
Mom has a bunch of swirls and tufts, I think her hair would like to be curly but can’t quite manage to.
I guess I have one sort of to the left to the top. My hair usually insists on parting on the left (there’s been times where the part up and moved elsewhere, I promise it wasn’t on purpose).
Mine is at the center of the back top of my head. Swirls clockwise and has a terrible cowlick on it, which stands straight up if my hair is short. I know this because my mom made me cut it short when I was a kid. Now it’s really long and doesn’t stick up. My brother has the same problem and keeps his head shaved, it’s that bad.
