The Origin of the Witch Hat

Why is a witch’s hat pointy and where did it really come from?

Long before witches, conical hats symbolized power and knowledge. In the Bronze Age,

priests wore tall gold hats decorated with astronomical symbols. Similar pointed hats were later found

on ancient Chinese mummies from the fourth to second centuries BC. In medieval Europe,

the meaning shifted to public shaming. Accused heretics were forced to wear tall caps called

capirotes. By the late sixteen-hundreds, art and fairytales turned the pointed

hat into the iconic witch symbol we know today. Now, it is often

reclaimed as a sign of independence, rebellion, and empowerment. Subscribe to Wow