I recently bought a pashmina prayer shall or head scarf, and I want to write to you about Christian head covering, the purpose, the symbolism and the misunderstanding concerning the practice.
The concept of Christian head covering, may seem foreign, but the bible does speak of head coverings for women specifically in 1 Corinthians chapter 11, verses 3 through 16.
Most women who read these verses assume that it is a commandment that women wear a literal head covering, or that they are never supposed to cut their hair. In my perception that is not so. Read it for yourself. (I will post the verses at the bottom of this article.)
What the verses are talking about, is marriage, the order of headship. "The head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God." -- 1 Corinthians 11:3
All throughout the verses you will read that Paul writes about man and woman, and their place under God.
The head covering, is symbolism; a mere reminder that your head is covered by your husband, you are under his authority, as his head is covered by Christ, and he is under Christ's authority.
If it were to be taken literally, then head coverings would not be relevant at all, because the verses say that hair was given as a covering. (Which is why some branches of Christianity practice not cutting their hair.)
There is no way I can perceive these verses to be literal, except as a practice of symbolism.
Now, whether or not you choose to wear a head covering literally, should be something you should ask your husband and the Lord about. It should be based on whether or not you have the conviction to do so, and if your husband wants you to wear one, because remember, as women, we are under our husbands in the chain of command ordained by God. My husband is my head covering.
I do occasionally wear a head covering, my husband does like it, and it is a very humbling, and beautiful symbol as a Christian wife. It reminds me that God ordained my husband above my head to cover me, and that Christ covers him. It reminds me that I am separate from the world, and it reminds me to be humble, and modest.
Head covering can be applied during prayer as well.
A great place that sells head coverings, is Garlands Of Grace. She has some beautiful designs, and I love her website.
Read the verses pertaining to head covering and marriage below. Pray about it, and talk about it with your husband.
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3 "But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
8 For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man.
9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God."
-- 1 Corinthians 11:3-16
