Some tribes believe that the hair carries the energy and memories of the deceased, and cutting it helps in the release of this energy and the healing process.
Many Native Americans having long hair is a symbol of tribal religious traditions which teach that hair is only to be cut when one is in mourning for the death of a close relative. Its a sign of respect and of mourning. Its a sacrifice done to allow the living person to let the loved one go.
Cutting our hair is part of the mourning process, which is like a small ceremony we have with ourselves—we are to burn our hair with sage or sweetgrass, releasing our prayers, thoughts, and dreams to the Creator.
After the loss of a spouse, a husband or wife would shave his or her head bald in representation of new beginnings, a fresh start. After all, hair takes years to grow, especially to the length common of the ancient Israelites, but after a death, it was all wiped clean, making way for new hair to grow in this place.
Transformation and Renewal: Cutting hair is often seen as a symbol of change or transformation. It can represent a new beginning, a shedding of the past, or a desire to embrace a new identity.
Shaving the head signifies that the grieving family wants to leave their sorrow behind. In reality, the hair on the head and face is believed to carry negative energy, representing pain, sorrow, and anguish. By removing them physically, you prepare for a new life.
In Hindu tradition, the hair from birth is associated with undesirable traits from past lives. Thus, on the occasion of the Mundan ceremony, the child is shaven to signify freedom from the past and moving into the future.
Mourners bathe and dress the body in special garments. The mourners bury the deceased far away from the living areas, along with their possessions and the tools used to bury the body. If the deceased died in their hogan—home of tree and bark—family members burn it along with any remaining possessions.
During the wake period:
Refrain from trimming your nails or hair, as these have been given by one's parents.
Mundan is an important ceremony that is widely practiced by Hindus and Muslims all over the world. It is where they shave a baby's head, also considered a child's first haircut. This tradition is done in the first couple of years of a child's life from age 1 to 3.
'No,' we said, 'Your hair is important; that's your connection to the land. Hair is your strength; it's the teaching that's been passed down from generation to generation. It's who you are. It's your spirit'. The longer your hair is, the more connected you are to the land.”
Many Indigenous people believe that one should never whistle at night. This belief takes many forms: for instance, Native Hawaiians believe it summons the Hukai'po, the spirits of ancient warriors, and Native Mexicans say it calls Lechuza, a witch that can transform into an owl.
Native Americans believed that the scalplock contained in the scalp represented a warrior's soul's connection with the spirits of the heavens. Taking an enemy's scalp, gave access to one's soul, his mental and physical faculties (Bandelier, 1890: 153).
Hair has a deep tie to old and new life across tribes. In Native culture, a widespread belief is that when someone's hair is cut, they lose a small part of their relationship with themselves.
In 1832 the U.S. Congress passed legislation banning the sale of alcoholic beverages to Indian people. That legislation was repealed in 1953, and tribes were given the option of retaining prohibition or allowing the sale and consumption of alcohol on reservations.
In Hindu tradition, from birth, hair is associated with less positive aspects of or qualities from past lives. Thus at the time of the shave, the child is freshly shaven to signify freedom from the past and moving into the future.
This symbolic act is seen as a way of releasing the grief associated with the loss and signifies a transition in the individual's life. Some tribes believe that the hair carries the energy and memories of the deceased, and cutting it helps in the release of this energy and the healing process.
Traditional Cherokee belief teaches that all souls after death continue to live on as spirits, some manifested into the bodies of animals while others are unseen. My fear is dying, and dying too soon.
The Cocopa believe the soul leaves the body at the time of cremation and goes to the spirit land near the mouth of the Colorado River. However, should the deceased be twins, it is believed that they go to a different place and are continuously reincarnated.
However, an idea that most Native Americans shared, was the belief that the spirit of the deceased journeys into the afterlife. Therefore, funeral rites were ways of helping the spirit navigate the hardships of that journey. It is also worth noticing that there were no concepts of duality such as heaven and hell.
Haircuts, especially during moments of personal change, often carry a deeper, spiritual significance. They symbolise letting go—whether of an old identity, emotional baggage, or past memories—and create space for transformation.
Feathers are widely believed among North American Indians to signify the connection between The Creator, the owner of the feather, and the bird from whom the feather came. Deeply revered, the feather symbolizes high honor, power, wisdom, trust, strength, and freedom.
Tuesday- In the Hindu religion and scriptures, Tuesday is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. Due to this occasion, it is not considered a good omen to get a haircut on Tuesday. This act done on Tuesday is also believed to reduce a devotee's lifespan.