Quote:
Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*
Women cut their hair in many ancient civilizations.
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Shaving their heads was a common rite of passage at various times in their lives. Often this did not involve a razor type clean shave - but a close cropping. It was felt that a person's hair was a "witness" to some part of their life. When they passed that stage they did away with the "witness" and got a new start.
In most ancient Middle Eastern cultures woman of rank in the social order would keep their hair cut short for convenience and then wear wigs in public.
Male warriors in many societies would let their hair grow for as long as they were on a campaign. When the war and killing was over they shaved or cropped their heads to signify a "new start."
The Nazarite vows are similar to this in many regards.