Turbans

The Turban

Hat styles span across cultures and over time to shed light on head wear traditions and customs. For many, the most notable religious hat is the turban. The name is derived from the Persian word for tulip, which is similar in shape to the turban when wrapped around the head.

This style of headgear has been linked to Byzantine and Egyptian and was even referenced in Ovid's Metamorphoses, and dates back to the beginning of the early Renaissance years and continues today to be a distinct component of Middle Eastern men’s clothing.

Here is some interesting info this head covering:

How was it worn?

The turban can be traced back to fourteenth century Spain which followed the European men’s fashion trends. This masculine headdress was worn in a similar fashion to the way it is still worn today: wound around the head and then draped with a neck cloth. Modern turbans vary in size, shape and color. Wrapping styles as well as size and color can denote profession and geographic region.

What is it made from?

With its slightly obscure oriental origin, it was worn often by men of Muslim and Sikh faiths.In fact it is one of the most recognized symbols of the Sikh community. The basic scarf material is fine linen, cotton, or silk. In Persia, such a head piece is also referred to as dulband (sash).  

Bare Forehead

When wearing a turban, it is extremely important for all men to leave their forehead bare. This allows the head to touch the ground during prayer.

The 100 Pound Turban: Avtar Singh Mauni, a 60 year old North Indian holy man, shows his faith by wearing a 100 pound turban around his head. This 2115 foot long fabric spans the same distance of 13 Olympic sized swimming pools.

Want to know how to tie a turban?