# What's up with religion and hats? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 5, 2014, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-religion-and-hats/680576 "2014-02-05T15:20:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Artemis\_Tardis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4bbf92/32.png) [@Artemis\_Tardis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Artemis_Tardis)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2014, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-religion-and-hats/680576/1 "2014-02-05T15:20:12Z")
It seems that many religions have as part of their rules the usage of a special hat (or [underwear](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_garment)) . Some of them are really cool. What puzzles me is that we see hats in Judaism, Orthodox Christianity, Islam, Sikhism … What’s up with that? ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2014, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-religion-and-hats/680576/2 "2014-02-05T17:12:34Z")
It always signifies fear of and/or respect for God. It’s a public symbol of their relationship and their obeisance to it. [Kippah](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kippah) > [@](#): > > The Talmud states, “Cover your head in order that the fear of heaven may be upon you.”[5] Rabbi Hunah ben Joshua never walked 4 cubits (2 meters) with his head uncovered. He explained: “Because the Divine Presence is always over my head.”.[6] This was understood by Rabbi Yosef Karo in the Shulchan Arukh as indicating that Jewish men should cover their heads and should not walk more than four cubits bareheaded.[7] Covering one’s head, such as by wearing a kippah, is described as “honoring God”.[8] The Mishnah Berurah modifies this ruling, adding that the Achronim established it as a requirement to wear a head covering even when traversing less than four cubits,[9] and even when one is standing still, indoors and outside.[10] Kitzur Shulchan Aruch cites a story from the Talmud (Shabbat 156b) about Rav Nachman bar Yitzchok who might have become a thief had his mother not saved him from this fate by insisting that he cover his head, which instilled in him the fear of God.[11] In many communities, boys are encouraged to wear a kippah from a young age in order to ingrain the habit.[12] Christian tradition, in which men’s hats are removed in sacred places, is probably a reversal of this to mark the new religion’s separateness. 1 Corinthians 11:1-34 ESV > [@](#): > > Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. ---
**Author:** ![Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f08c70/32.png) [@Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shinna_Minna_Ma)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2014, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-religion-and-hats/680576/3 "2014-02-05T17:28:31Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > It always signifies fear of and/or respect for God. It’s a public symbol of their relationship and their obeisance to it. What you’re talking about is a kippa (Hebrew) or yarmulke (Aramaic). The OP was asking about hats, something like [this](http://www.hatboxmenswear.com/). Many, but certainly not all, Orthodox men wear formal hats during prayer time as well as during formal celebrations (weddings, bar mitzvas, etc.). They often wear the hats full time, even when walking outside. The reason for the hat over the kippa is that some Jewish codes of law call for a double head covering during prayers. Since one never knows when or where he might be when the possibility of making a blessing might come up, they wear hats much of the time. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2014, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-religion-and-hats/680576/4 "2014-02-05T17:34:38Z")
People aren’t wearing enough of them. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2014, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-religion-and-hats/680576/5 "2014-02-05T17:57:06Z")
> [@Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](#): > > What you’re talking about is a kippa (Hebrew) or yarmulke (Aramaic). The OP was asking about hats, something like [this](http://www.hatboxmenswear.com/). I can’t speak for the OP, but that’s not how I read it. Sikhs and the others certainly wear headgear that is definitely not a hat. What that minority of ultra-orthodox Jews wear is not part of the religion any more than a Southern Baptist prohibition on wine is part of traditional Christianity. ---
**Author:** ![Artemis\_Tardis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4bbf92/32.png) [@Artemis\_Tardis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Artemis_Tardis)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2014, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-religion-and-hats/680576/6 "2014-02-05T18:33:16Z")
> [@Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](#): > > What you’re talking about is a kippa (Hebrew) or yarmulke (Aramaic). The OP was asking about hats, something like [this](http://www.hatboxmenswear.com/). Actually I meant anything that goes on the top of the head. Sorry for my poor terms. ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2014, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-religion-and-hats/680576/7 "2014-02-05T18:35:33Z")
> [@Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](#): > > The reason for the hat over the kippa is that some Jewish codes of law call for a double head covering during prayers. I’ve researched this, and cannot find ANY codes which say this; only one cover is ever needed. (If you know of such a code, please point it out to me.) What I have found is that some consider a large formal hat to be preferable to a small informal kippa, especially during formal situations such as prayer. Wearing both at the same time is done, but mostly for practical reasons: If the wind blows the hat off, the kippa is probably still secure; and it makes the transition from a more formal to less formal situation easier (since one need merely place or remove the hat, and keep the kippa on all at times). ---
**Author:** ![gonzoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2014, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-religion-and-hats/680576/8 "2014-02-05T18:56:32Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Christian tradition, in which men’s hats are removed in sacred places, is probably a reversal of this to mark the new religion’s separateness. > > 1 Corinthians 11:1-34 ESV Odd… how does that quote jibe with the fancy hats of Catholic Cardinals and the Pope? ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2014, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-religion-and-hats/680576/9 "2014-02-05T19:17:21Z")
Whats “hats” are worn in Islam? ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2014, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-religion-and-hats/680576/10 "2014-02-05T19:32:13Z")
Sikhs have a lot of hair. A turban is a good way to wrap it up, but they need not have elaborate turbans. Particularly younger Sikhs wear the do rag like patkas. > [@gonzoron](#): > > Odd… how does that quote jibe with the fancy hats of Catholic Cardinals and the Pope? When was the last time Catholicism required adherence to every word in the Bible? > [@AK84](#): > > Whats “hats” are worn in Islam? [Taqiyah](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taqiyah_%28cap%29) is the closest example I can think of. And hijab, but that’s not really a hat. Many hats are associated with Muslim societies, but really it tends to be an Arab/Persian/African/etc. thing, and might be worn irrespective of the wearer’s actual religion. Such as the rare turban, or fez. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2014, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-religion-and-hats/680576/11 "2014-02-05T20:28:20Z")
> [@gonzoron](#): > > Odd… how does that quote jibe with the fancy hats of Catholic Cardinals and the Pope? Maybe they count as fertility symbols instead. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2014, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-religion-and-hats/680576/12 "2014-02-05T21:31:15Z")
As I understand it, men are expected to cover their heads while is a Jewish temple, and they graciously hand out temporary yarmulkes for those who didn’t bring their own. If a man comes in with his own hat, say a Christian in a fedora, is that acceptable? ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2014, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-religion-and-hats/680576/13 "2014-02-05T21:41:48Z")
> [@AskNott](#): > > As I understand it, men are expected to cover their heads while is a Jewish temple, and they graciously hand out temporary yarmulkes for those who didn’t bring their own. If a man comes in with his own hat, say a Christian in a fedora, is that acceptable? Totally. In my synagogue, many of the men wear fedoras, including myself occasionally. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2014, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-religion-and-hats/680576/14 "2014-02-05T22:00:02Z")
Safety Dance was secretly promoting atheism. ---
**Author:** ![amorali](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3e96dc/32.png) [@amorali](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amorali)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2014, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-religion-and-hats/680576/15 "2014-02-05T22:22:00Z")
I’ve wondered about this too. I would imagine the head is the easiest area to cover/decorate and doesn’t get in the way of other clothing people have on. I thought that Sikh men weren’t allowed to show their hair in public and that’s why they wear the turbans. Is that true? Also orthodox Jewish women aren’t allowed to show their real hair in public either. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2014, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-religion-and-hats/680576/16 "2014-02-06T08:17:35Z")
When I was quite young, and my grandmother was still alive, and when she occasionally happened to be visiting us on Friday evening, and we lighted Sabbath candles, the honor would be hers to do the sacred incantations. She typically didn’t have a yarmulke handy (and I never really knew if females were supposed to wear them anyway). But she always grabbed a paper napkin and spread it out on top of her head. That was good enough for her. ETA: A similar story about makeshift ritual apparel: When there is a dedication ceremony for a new and significant public building, you can bet there will be a contingent of Masons about. Such buildings, in fact, commonly have a cornerstone placed by Masons, with some Masonic symbols on it. So at the dedication, or unveiling, there will be some Masons speechifying or whatever they do. Of course, they wear rather fancy ceremonial garments, the most sacred of which is the apron. So, for ceremonial purposes, they will tend to have very ornamental and elaborately embroidered aprons. But when the Paso Robles (Ca) public library was dedicated, there was one who for whatever reason didn’t have an apron. So he just grabbed a paper towel and tucked it into his belt, and that was his ceremonial apron. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2014, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-religion-and-hats/680576/17 "2014-02-06T10:44:16Z")
Wearing of hats is pretty common worldwide. In the West, one wasn’t properly dressed (for any outdoor activity) unless one was wearing a hat until quite recently. Strong religions tend to be conservative and to preserve traditions for longer than general society. Religions also tend to incorporate cultural traditions into their religion. So people are wearing hats, next thing you know it becomes not merely a cultural tradition but is woven into the religion. And then the rest of culture moves on, and the tradition remains only where it is woven into strong religious views. Religions are cultures and minority religions are particularly careful about preserving their subcultural traditions. So surfies where surfwear, skateboarders where boarding wear, truckers wear trucking wear and orthodox Jews (or whoever) wear orthodox Jew wear. Explanations like **Exapno** gives may be correct at a certain level but the religious explanation is invariably just retconning of cultural traditions, and doesn’t explain why (say) a particular Jewish tradition tends to involve a \*particular type \*of hat. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2014, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-religion-and-hats/680576/18 "2014-02-06T11:16:19Z")
> [@demian\_travis](#): > > It seems that many religions have as part of their rules the usage of a special hat (or [underwear](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_garment)) . Some of them are really cool. What puzzles me is that we see hats in Judaism, Orthodox Christianity, Islam, Sikhism … What’s up with that? It’s not just the LDS who have special underwear. Take [Judaism](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tzitzit), for example. I like [this page on the Wiki about religious clothing](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_clothing). The page and its “see also” section are a good starting point. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2014, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-religion-and-hats/680576/19 "2014-02-06T12:26:41Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > When I was quite young, and my grandmother was still alive, and when she occasionally happened to be visiting us on Friday evening, and we lighted Sabbath candles, the honor would be hers to do the sacred incantations. She typically didn’t have a yarmulke handy (and I never really knew if females were supposed to wear them anyway). But she always grabbed a paper napkin and spread it out on top of her head. That was good enough for her. In Orthodox Judaism, married women wear head coverings when involved in religious ritual/prayer. Single women don’t. For Judaism, this is tradition rather than a specific biblical imperative. I was taught (I have no cite) that this evolved from the Middle East, where headgear is necessary protection from the sun and heat. This led to the notion of keeping the head covered as a reminder of the Divine Presence (as per **Exapno** ’s talmud quote. I can’t speak to the other religions. I’d be interested if someone knows Catholic pope/bishop tradition, since they tend to either wear yarmulkes (implying to me that it came from Jewish tradition brought into Christianity) or hats like the Pharaohs (which leaves me puzzled.) ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2014, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-religion-and-hats/680576/20 "2014-02-06T12:38:11Z")
Someone somewhere made a video about this, where did I just see it…hold on…apparently it was a [WKUK skit](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djSp1NVsTrI). OP, did you see the same skit I did? It was on in the last week (for the 100th time). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-religion-and-hats/680576.md?page=2)