Throughout history the wig was always used as a hair replacement to enhance and beautify one’s appearance. Originating in ancient Egypt until today wigs were worn to display status and wealth, to make a fashion statement, and to transform one’s looks. They were used as hair replacements NOT head coverings worn for religious reasons.
Interesting historical facts about wigs (which demonstrate how they were never used as a modest head covering and should not be today):
– Wigs first originated in ancient Egypt (Mitzraim).
– Egyptian men and women shaved their heads bald (because of the high heat and the infestation of lice) and replaced their natural hair with wigs.
– The Egyptians invented the concept of a wig so they could have the look of hair and experiment with different hair styles (as opposed to using a cloth
head covering).
– Wigs became a status symbol. The wealthier Egyptians wore wigs made out of human hair, the lower classes wore wigs made out of animal and
vegetable fiber.
– Wigs were used for fashion and beauty and many times were decorated with braids, curls, plaits, and all sorts of ornaments.
– Both wig making specialists and barbers made the wigs and wig making was considered to be a respectable profession in ancient Egypt. It was one of
the jobs available to women (like the modern day sheitel macher…).
– Wigs were scented with fragrant oils and petals or pieces of wood chips such as cinnamon.
– When wigs were not used, they were kept in special boxes on a stand or in special chests.
– Wig boxes were found in tombs and the remnants of ancient wig factories have been located.
– The Egyptians were buried with their wigs because they wanted to appear with beautiful hair in the afterlife.
– Some of the most famous Egyptian queens were well known for their great beauty (ex: Cleopatra) partly because of their impressive wigs.
– Wigs were also worn in ancient times in Mesopotamia, Crete, Greece, and Persia.
– Wigs fell out of fashion and then reappeared in England and France in the 17th century when wigs were worn by men and women (particularly the
nobility) for status, fashion, and beauty.
– Today, wigs of all lengths and styles are worn by many celebrities (actresses, singers, models etc…) and they have become a symbol of
glamour and fashion. They are the ultimate beauty accessory.
The Jews in ancient Egypt did not copy the dress and hairstyles of the Egyptians and that is one of the reasons why we were redeemed… yet here we are today wearing wigs for “modesty”, the very item that the Egyptians invented for pritzus, and an even nicer and more natural version than they wore! The wigs are angering Hashem and causing the shechina to leave our midst, it is certainly an area that women should be focusing on improving to help us merit a yeshuah from this long and difficult Galus.