Why do witches wear pointy hats

In medieval Europe, women who brewed beer at home also had the reputation of being witches. These "alewives" were suspected of being herbalists, which was associated with magic at that time, but more importantly, they wore hats similar to the classic witch hat.

Any woman who defied the patriarchal norms of the s and s was pretty much considered to be a Satan-worshiping sorceress, and since they worked in a male-dominated profession, they received major shade. The character of the Wicked Witch of the West is known to wear a tall, pointed hat , and soon, our culture accepted it as being witchy wear. We often associate this shoe type with those who play 'tricks,' such as court jesters and elves.

But, from the 14th to 16th centuries, pointy shoes were quite the popular fashion trend — before becoming controversial. The church eventually began to associate them with sex and sin, likely because of their phallic shape, and also thought they prevented people from being able to kneel while praying. They even became known as "Satan's Claws. As for how witches got thrown into the mix? It could be due to that tie to Satan, and the fact that women wore them.

But at the same time, witches had a reputation for loving shoes. People even hid or 'concealed' shoes in their houses as a way to protect themselves against evil.

Historically, cloaks and capes offer a layer of protection and were especially popular during medieval times, which is perhaps how they became associated with the witch. Capes also became an essential part of the magical costume after the play Dracula came out in England.

Bela Lugosi , who played the titular role, wore a dramatic cape in both the play and the movie. The choice ended up tying the layer to sorcery, vampires, and fantasy wear.

Thereafter, the conical hat remained in use as a marker of religious outsiders. In literature, the conical hat continued to mark deceivers, tricksters and mischief makers including heretics, sorcerers, ogres and dwarves.

Later in the 19th century, dunce hats came into play as tools for humiliation and punishment in public schools in England. The origin of the dunce cap style is thought to come from the followers of a 13th century magician called John Duns Scotus who believed humans act as a funnel for wisdom.

The tall, conical hat would act as a receiver and focusing point for wisdom. Drawing down power. The hat is still depicted today as part of many countries national seals or military emblems including the United States Army.

The Phrygian cap has been associated with numerous magi over the years including King Midas, the legendary alchemist. The Roman pileus hat was given to emancipated slaves to denote their new status and was also often used to depict travelers from lands to the east.

These examples show the conical hat has a long history of use and was donned by many different people over the millennia. The cone shaped hat can be considered a powerful tool when it comes to rising and directing energy of a Witch as it connects the crown chakra with universal energy above. These three females were famous for covering their hair with large funnel-shaped contraptions of black felt. Some consider them some of the earliest know Witches.

This city played a key role in the introduction of Buddhism to China. It is thought that the pointy hat maybe a distant descendent of tall, conical metal crowns worn by the priest-kings in early civilizations. Another theory is that the pointy hat could be derived from the Judenhat. The Judenhat was one of many style markers worn by Jews.

In the beginning of the middle ages Jews were required to wear this type of hat. The hat was called the Judenhat or horned skull cap. Jews like witches were associated with the devil and so, the Judenhat became associated with sorcery and witchcraft. The Quakers a. However, before you dress up as this iconic and magical being, or schedule your annual viewing of Hocus Pocus or Double Double Toil and Trouble , you might be craving some real tea about that witchy gear and the history behind their traditional getups.

As a witch myself , I've learned that the witch costume we know today holds a deeper meaning and that those pointy hats and broomsticks aren't just things they pulled out of the closet. Here's what's been said about witch fashion, and how each specific item came to be part of the traditional uniform. It may make you view your neighbor's festive decoration in a whole new light. The first known people to wear big, cone-shaped hats are from a lost city in China.

During the Middle Ages, pointed hats were actually associated with the Jewish religion — and, unfortunately, Satan. Participation in Kabbalah rituals had people believing that Jews held magical powers from making a deal with the devil, and in the s, Jews in Hungary were required to wear this specific hat style to signify their religion. Somehow, despite the fact that the Quakers of the mids to s didn't wear pointed hats, the style is still strongly associated with the group as well.

Puritans in America believed the Quakers were magic practitioners who danced with the devil during the nighttime hours, and their hats, which were black and included wide brims, were part of the controversy. In medieval Europe, women who brewed beer at home also had the reputation of being witches.