A new perspective on so-called ´Hathoric Curls´
The present article revisits the question of so-called 'Hathoric curls' and the use — and possible misuse — of the term 'Hathoric.' In many cases, hairstyles described as Hathoric are neither Hathoric nor Egyptian; in fact the first instances of this immediately recognisable hair...
| Published in: | Ägypten und Levante |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Akademie
[2015]
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| In: |
Ägypten und Levante
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| Further subjects: | B
Sumer
B Kingdom of Egypt B Bouillons B Hairstyles B Figurines B Seals B Wigs B Iconography B Cylinders B Bronze Age |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (Verlag) |
| Summary: | The present article revisits the question of so-called 'Hathoric curls' and the use — and possible misuse — of the term 'Hathoric.' In many cases, hairstyles described as Hathoric are neither Hathoric nor Egyptian; in fact the first instances of this immediately recognisable hairstyle are to be found in Mesopotamia and Iran and pre-date the first appearances of the curls in Egypt. Furthermore, some so-called 'Hathoric' curls appear to be "virile" and linked to the iconography of guardian genii in the Ancient Near East. The term 'Hathoric curls', with or without quotation marks, refers to a hairstyle in which the hair ends in whorls on either side of the neck. It appears in many representations, in free-standing sculptures or in bas-reliefs, sometimes painted, in Egypt and the Ancient Near East. It is found notably on Levantine pendants depicting nude women (fig. 1), and on cylinder seals (fig. 2) where it is worn by both males and females (fig. 3).⁵ However, the term 'Hathoric,' associated almost systematically with this hairstyle, if not incorrect, is at least potentially problematic. It implies that the hairstyle originally belonged to the goddess Hathor and is thus of Egyptian origin. The purpose of this contribution is to review the various occurrences of this type of curled hairstyle in an attempt to trace its origins and subsequent evolutions and to give back to Hathor what is rightfully hers. |
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| ISSN: | 1813-5145 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Ägypten und Levante
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