Religion and Symbolic Clothing
0 Comments Published by Jess on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 at 4:18 PM.
Clothing is and has always played a very important role in religion. Certain items of clothing carry specific symbolism as to why a religious group should wear them. For example, many Orthodox Jews wear a black-only wardrobe. Black clothing is known as a symbolic expression. Many Orthodox people think that life is very serious, and should be treated as so. Black is the color of importance. Other colors represent playfulness. So, to avoid frivolity, many Jews wear black. A black hat, known as a "steimel" is also worn by many Orthodox Jews. Many other Jews wear caps on their heads, known as a "yarmulkes." A yarmulke shows your respect for God, who Jews believe, lives in Heaven. The yarmulke separates the person from God. That is why Jews wear this all the time.
The Muslims believe that God, or Allah, commands that they dress in the manner that they do. Both men and woman are not permitted to wear clothing that is tight or see-through. Instead, Muslim men wear long tunics or robes. Muslim women wear long dresses and scarves around their faces. This is done so that women will not be judged upon by the way they look. They should only show their faces to their husbands. Muslims cling to the conviction that all believers should be modest.
Believers of Christianity also wear a certain symbolic item known to all as the Cross. The Cross is found on T-shirts, necklaces, bracelets, pins, earrings, and all other kinds of clothing and accessories know to man. But what is the meaning of this symbol of Christianity? To Christians, the Cross is a reminder of how their savior, Jesus Christ died. He was killed by nailing his hands and feet to a cross. So, the Cross stands as a symbol of the death and rebirth of Jesus Christ.
These three very different religions share one thing in common: dress is very important to their belief system and symbolism is held dear to their hearts.
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