When Did Tonsure Start?

The word tonsure means “clipping”, as in clipping one's hair off. The bizarre haircut started around 1073 when Pope Gregorio VII was enthroned. During this time, the culture in the church was very lenient on haircuts, dress code, and even dating amongst monks, priests, and nuns.

What was the purpose of a tonsure?

Tonsure, in various religions, a ceremony of initiation in which hair is clipped from the head as part of the ritual marking one's entrance into a new stage of religious development or activity.

Why did monks have tonsure?

Tonsure (/ˈtɒnʃər/) is the practice of cutting or shaving some or all of the hair on the scalp as a sign of religious devotion or humility. ... Current usage more generally refers to cutting or shaving for monks, devotees, or mystics of any religion as a symbol of their renunciation of worldly fashion and esteem.

James H. Sterling

James H. Sterling

Environmental Science & Climate Journalist

James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.