Witch Hats: From Practicality to Symbolism

The origin of the witch hat can be traced back to ancient times. The concept of witches and witchcraft has been present in various cultures throughout history. In early societies, witches were believed to possess supernatural powers and had a deep connection with the spiritual realm. The traditional witch hat that we commonly associate with witches today is believed to have its roots in medieval Europe. During the 15th and 16th centuries, the persecution of witches was at its peak. The hat was an essential part of the attire worn by accused witches during their trials and executions.

In order to catch as many eyes as possible, and to signal from a distance what they were selling, these “brewsters” wore tall hats. As a cottage industry, there was very little oversight or regulation to the home-grown brewing businesses, according to Rod Phillips in the comprehensive text Alcohol: A History. But there were also large-scale commercial breweries, widely owned by men, which were leveraging new technologies and making larger quantities of product. As these operations grew and took on the appearance of a "real" profession, with guilds and trade associations, women were by and large excluded.

According to Judith Bennett, the preeminent historian of women brewers in this period of England s history, both the public and the male-dominated brewing industry accused brewsters of diluting or adulterating their ale with cheaper brews, and thus of cheating customers. Then, in 1215, the Holy Roman Empire s Fourth Council of the Lateran required all Jews to wear a Judenhat to visually distinguish Jews from non-Jews.

The hat was an essential part of the attire worn by accused witches during their trials and executions. The exact reason for the choice of the hat design is not definitively known, but there are several theories. One theory suggests that the conical shape of the hat was chosen to symbolize a connection with the celestial realm.

The Witch Hat

The witch’s hat: Black, large-rimmed, with a pointed top. It’s a necessary part of every witching wardrobe. Just ask Elphaba or McGonagall. But where did that hat come from? Theories about the hat’s origin vary. Some scholars cite the mummified remains of two sisters from the 3rd century BCE in Subeshi, China as the earliest evidence of the hats (the sisters were found with pointed hats on their heads). Others cite the Puritan perception of the Quakers in eighteenth century America: The Puritans saw the Quakers as suspicious magic practitioners, and while the Quakers didn’t wear pointy hats, they did wear black ones with wide brims. Still other scholars cite an antisemitic origin. As early as the Greek Empire, hats were symbols of Jewish oppression. During the days of the Maccabean revolt (167-160 BCE), when the Hannukah story was unfolding, king Antiochus IV Epiphanes forced young Jewish men to wear a broad-brimmed hat. By imposing the hat rule on the Jewish people, Antiochus denigrated them, visibly displaying their subjugation for all to see.

The use of the pointed hat to distinguish Jews from non-Jews can be traced back to the early medieval era. The first depiction of a Jew in a Judenhut (Jewish pointed hat) –– found in the Second Gospel Book of Bishop Bernward of Hildesheim (ca. 1015) –– would have been seen as an elegant garment choice, not as a stigmatizing symbol. The hat was reminiscent of the hats worn by the three magi, and in early eleventh century European culture, these hats symbolized a connection to European Jews’ Levantine heritage. This positive perception soured, though. In 1096, the First Crusade set out to open a path to Muslim-ruled Jerusalem, massacring Jewish communities in Speyer, Mayence, and Worms along the way. The Crusade turned an admiration of orientalism into a disdain for it, so the hat –– originally a celebrated sign of the Jewish diaspora –– became a key element of anti-Jewish slander. For example, on the mid-twelfth century bronze doors of a Verona Cathedral, mobs of hatted Jews are seen violently capturing Jesus. A similar scene is found on a coin minted in Germany around the same time.

Then, in 1215, the Holy Roman Empire’s Fourth Council of the Lateran required all Jews to wear a Judenhat to visually distinguish Jews from non-Jews. The hat became a label for Jews, akin to the badge Jews would later be required to wear in Nazi Germany. However, the only bit of standardization specified was the pointy top, so several types of Judenhat arose; for example, in Italy, there were –– according to scholar Flora Cassen –– at least five different forms of Judenhat that appeared contemporaneously. The hat grew beyond its Jewish affiliation. People engaging in “non-Christian activity” were forced to wear a pointed cap. For instance, in a 1421 Hungarian law, men convicted of sorcery were forced to wear “a pointed Jews’ hat.” The hat was donned upon fictional characters, too. For example, a 1545 fountain in Bern is topped with an ogre wearing a pointed hat while eating a baby, and in 1493, artist Hartmann Schedule sketched the magician Merlin (who was not Jewish) wearing a conical hat that looked nearly identical to Judenhat .

The hat was a visible link between Jews and magic. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, Jews were thought to possess magical powers. For instance, reports circulated around Europe claiming that Jews concocted poisons out of Christian hearts, spiders, frogs, and human flesh. There was even a persistent claim that Jews used Christian blood for magical and cathartic purposes. From these myths arose a fear around Jews and their faith. Christians feared Jews would disappear from view and then cause them harm (e.g., collect blood, etc.), so one reason Jews were forced to wear Judenhat was to keep tabs on them. In turn, because Jews were often affiliated with dark magic, the Judenhat became a symbol of the supernatural. These connections often led Jews and witches to be subjected to similar court proceedings and forms of persecution during the Inquisition and beyond. Thus, the Judenhat became interwoven with cultural perceptions of magic.

However, some scholars call into question a direct connection between the Judenhat and the witch’s hat. Clothing historian Abby Cox notes how the black witch hat is of English origin, but in England, Jews were required to wear badges instead of hats (the hats were a required marker in continental Europe only). And, per Cox, the witch’s black hat didn’t become popular into the 1700s, more than 500 years after the antisemitic laws were passed. Thus, Cox argues, it’s unlikely the witch hat is a direct descendant of the Judenhat . But it’s hard for me not to give some attention to the antisemitic origin story, even if it’s not the hat’s likely origin. Antisemitism has always been present and problematic, but right now –– this week –– it’s flaring up. It’s in Kanye’s tweet. It’s in Trump’s social media post. It’s in Adidas’ delayed response to Kanye. It’s in the banners hanging above a freeway overpass in Los Angeles. Antisemitism isn’t new, nor is it a thing of the past. According to the ADL , antisemitic incidents were at an all-time high in 2021. Antisemitism is pervasive. It’s something we, as a society, must continue to call out and fight against. To be clear, I don’t think dressing up as a witch for Halloween is laden with antisemitic intentions, but when I see a witch trick-or-treating this year, I’ll be thinking about that hat and the history of persecution, prejudice, and antisemitism hidden under its pointy top. Share If you’re looking for ways to support the fight against antisemitism, you can donate to the Anti-Defamation League here .

Notes.

• This post is largely adapted from Naomi Lubrich’s article “The Wandering Hat: Iterations of the Medieval Jewish Pointed Cap,” published in Jewish History (December 2015).
• More on witches and Jews can be found in Yvonne Owens’ article “The Saturine History of Jews and Witches,” published in Preternature (vol 3, no 1, 2014). Also see Joshua Trachtenberg’s book The Devil and the Jews .
• The paragraph on Jews, potions, and blood is largely drawn from James Arieti’s article “Magical Thinking in Medieval Anti-Semitism: Usury and the Blood Libel” ( Mediterranean Studies , vol 24, no 2, 2016).
• For more on the origin of the witch’s hat, check out this InStylearticle , this Slatearticle , and this Mary Suearticle . Or even Abby Cox’s YouTube video on the subject.
• Hey Alma has a good piece on the current antisemitic events here .

After reading books and articles there seems to be lots of different theories to answer this question. The most credible ones being a combination of women (alewives) taking to much place in the home-brewing beer industry and antisemitism.

The pointed top of the hat was thought to represent the connection between the witch and the divine. Another theory proposes that the hat was used to distinguish witches from other women in society. The hat's unique shape made it easily recognizable, making it clear that the person wearing it was a witch. This helped to fuel the fear and suspicion surrounding witches during this time. It is also believed that the hat served a practical purpose during witchcraft rituals. The wide brim and tall, pointy shape of the hat may have helped to create a sense of mystery and intimidation. Additionally, the brim could have shielded the face of the witch, further adding to their enigmatic persona. Regardless of its origins and purposes, the witch hat has become an iconic symbol associated with witches and Halloween. It is widely recognized as a quintessential part of the witch's attire, often depicted as black with a pointed cone shape. The hat continues to be popular in contemporary culture and is often used as a costume accessory during Halloween celebrations. In conclusion, the origin of the witch hat can be traced back to medieval Europe, where it was worn by accused witches during trials and executions. The exact reason for the choice of the hat design is unclear, but theories suggest connections to the spiritual realm, the need for distinction, and practical uses during witchcraft rituals. Today, the witch hat remains a popular symbol associated with witches and Halloween..

Reviews for "Beyond Fiction: Real-life Witches and Their Hats"

1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Witch Hat Origin". The story felt rushed and underdeveloped, and I found it hard to connect with the characters. The art style was also not to my liking, as it felt messy and lacked detail. Overall, I thought the concept had potential, but it fell short in execution.

2. Mike - 3/5 stars - I had high expectations for "Witch Hat Origin" based on the hype, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to them. The plot was confusing and disjointed, making it difficult to follow the storyline. Additionally, the pacing was inconsistent, with moments of intense action followed by long stretches of boredom. While some of the artwork was beautiful, I found the character designs to be unappealing. Overall, it was a mediocre reading experience for me.

3. Lisa - 2/5 stars - I was really looking forward to "Witch Hat Origin," but it turned out to be a major letdown. The story lacked depth and failed to fully explore the fascinating magic system it introduced. The pacing was slow, and it felt like the plot only started to pick up towards the end. The artwork, while decent, didn't stand out from other manga series I've read. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone seeking a captivating and well-executed magical story.

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