Magic has been a part of human culture for thousands of years. From ancient civilizations to modern society, magic has intrigued and captivated people's imaginations. It seems to hold a certain power and mystery that appeals to our deepest desires and beliefs. Throughout history, different cultures have developed their own forms of magic. Some believe in the power of spells and incantations, while others focus on divination or channeling energies. Whether it's witches, wizards, shamans, or sorcerers, the practice of magic has been present in various forms across the globe.
Margaret Hamilton (1902 - 1985) as the Wicked Witch and Judy Garland (1922 - 1969) as Dorothy Gale in 'The Wizard of Oz', 1939.
According to 15th and 16th-century texts about witchcraft, technically, anyone could be a witch, but most were women, as they were considered far more impressionable, and therefore susceptible to the devil s influence than men. Similar to the way black conical hats immediately communicate that a character or costumed person is supposed to be a witch, prominent pointy, crooked, or hooked noses traditionally have been used to convey that a witch is meant to be seen as evil or wicked.
Whether it's witches, wizards, shamans, or sorcerers, the practice of magic has been present in various forms across the globe. Magic often represents an escape from the limitations of the natural world. It allows us to believe in the impossible, to dream of a reality where anything is achievable.
The Weird, Winding History of the Witch Hat
There are few things more iconic at Halloween time than the classic image of a witch. With her green skin, broom, and wide-brimmed conical hat, the Witch is an icon. Now we’ve talked already this month about how witches “flew”, but how did that very distinctive hat become associated with magical women, especially the kind that like to get a bit wicked?
As with many elements of the witch as she’s understood in pop culture, and indeed many elements of magic itself, the story is complicated and has a lot more to do with prejudice and persecution than it does with magic and the mystical. (No, the conical hate is not a symbol of a cone of power, sorry Wiccans.) The story of the witch’s conical hat, is, like so many stories of the witch, a tale of female power and fear.
But it’s also a story about fashion, which is why this recent video of dress historian Abby Cox is such a great exploration of the topic. And she busts a few of the big myths about the Witch’s hat right off the back. Nope, it’s not about alewives! Sorry, bad Wikipedia article!
The origin tale for the witch’s hat that I’ve seen quite often myself, and which Cox refutes, is that it is derived from the Judenhat; The Judenhat was one of many sartorial markers that were required to be worn by Jews beginning in the middle ages. In 1215 the fourth Lateran Council required all Jews to wear the Judenhat or horned skull cap and centuries later this became a feature of many anti-Semitic tropes and beliefs. And yes, because Jews, like witches, were (wrongly) associated with the devil and fun stuff like murdering children, the Judenhat became associated with sorcery.
But that’s not quite the same hat as a witch’s hat, and the Judenhat is more rightly associated with sorcery (and thus men). What about the witch with her very particular hat? For one, that image is highly associated with the image of the witch in England and thus came to represent her in the anglophone world even to this day. And so the image of the witch’s hat is tied in with English fashion and English prejudices … and also oatmeal.
I’m speaking of course about Quakers. The Quakers, or Society of Friends, were (and still are!) a religious group that grew to prominence and infamy in the 1600s in England. George Fox founded the society following the English Civil war and their belief in ideas like women’s equality, that God was experienced directly and that people were not inherently sinful got them a lot of attention and pushback. As Cox explains, they were seen as evil, heretical, and … extremely horny? Oh yeah. And all those things matched with what England already thought of witches, who were being hunted relentlessly in the mid 17th century as well.
At the same time as the Quakers were gaining publicity, they were adopting the fashions of the day and their own distinct looks. And that involved … tall, black, conical hats with large brims. As you can see in this painting of a Quaker meeting in the 1670s.
Look at that woman speaking publicly! About God and the scriptures. Obviously a witch! This painting from 1675 also shows a woman with a witchy looking chapeau, but again, it was the fashion of the day. It’s just what you were for a portrait with your grandkids.
As Cox notes, the prejudice against Quakers, and especially Quaker women, was widespread in England, and it coincided with the witch not just becoming a focus of prosecution and persecutions in the 17th century but also with the witch becoming a popular figure. This also may have been true in America, where Quakers were also persecuted (does anyone else remember the Quaker woman accused of witchcraft in the YA novel The Witch of Blackbird Pond?). As the quaker hats grew more out of style, as associated with another age, they remained associated with witches.
The first witch we see depicted with her famous pointy hat is from this woodcut, date to around 1720, long after the quaker hats were out of fashion.
This is an era when witch hunts and superstition were beginning to fade, the enlightenment was around the corner and mass media depictions of the witch were becoming more fantastical, rather than warnings of a real threat. From here on out, the English vision of a witch spread and gained traction, and as all cultural images do, this version of the witch spread.
And then Hollywood came calling. L. Frank Baum and his illustrators depicted his Wicked Witch of the West with the (by then) expected conical hat when The Wizard of Oz was written in 1900, and when MGM put her on-screen in 1939, of course, she had a pointy hat. The costume designer, Adrian, made it fabulous and fashionable though. And much like the look of the witches in 1720 relied on outdated fashions, so too did elements of Margaret Hamilton’s Wicked Witch costume rely on fashions that were several decades out of style.
Oh and, by the way, The Wizard of Oz was the first movie to make a witch green. Really. That’s important, as it demonstrates how influential this movie was—because now most Halloween witches are green. The Wicked Witch’s verdigris is the entire plot of Wicked, the musical that tells her story, and it wasn’t even an element that was included in the original Oz books by Baum.
So, when you’re getting a costume together for your (safe and socially distanced) Halloween activities this year, remember that there’s a long history behind that Witchy hat. And wear it proudly!
(image: public domain/MGM)
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The Phrygian cap has been associated with numerous magi over the years including King Midas, the legendary alchemist. The Roman pileus hat was given to emancipated slaves to denote their new status and was also often used to depict travelers from lands to the east.
It taps into our sense of wonder and the belief that there is something more to life than what meets the eye. In literature and mythology, magic plays a central role. From the ancient tales of King Arthur and Merlin to the modern wizarding world of Harry Potter, magic provides a narrative tool to explore themes of power, morality, and the human condition. It adds an element of enchantment and wonder that draws readers and viewers into fantastical worlds. In recent times, magic has also made its way into popular culture through art, movies, and even stage performances. Magicians like David Blaine and Criss Angel have captivated audiences with their seemingly impossible tricks and illusions. In these instances, magic becomes a form of entertainment and awe-inspiring spectacle. It's important to note that while magic may seem fantastical and fictional, it can also hold deeper meaning and significance in our lives. For many, magic represents a way to connect with the divine or spiritual realm. It provides a sense of empowerment and control over our own destinies. Ultimately, magic is a multifaceted concept that holds different meanings for different people. Whether it's seen as an ancient art, a form of entertainment, or a profound spiritual practice, magic continues to captivate and inspire us. It reminds us of the power of our imagination and our innate desire to explore the unknown..
Reviews for "Mytg in Literature: How Fantasy Fiction Inspires the Imagination"
1. John - 1 star - I found "Myth and Magic" to be incredibly boring and lacking in originality. The plot was predictable and cliché, and the characters were one-dimensional and uninteresting. The writing style was also lackluster, with repetitive descriptions and excessive use of clichéd phrases. Overall, I was extremely disappointed and would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a unique and engaging fantasy read.
2. Emily - 2 stars - "Myth and Magic" had an intriguing concept, but it fell flat for me. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged. The world-building was weak, leaving many unanswered questions and a lack of depth. The dialogue was also stilted and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters. While there were a few moments of potential, they were overshadowed by the overall sluggishness of the story. I was hoping for much more from "Myth and Magic" and, unfortunately, it didn't deliver.
3. Sarah - 2.5 stars - I had high expectations for "Myth and Magic" due to all the hype surrounding it, but I ultimately found it to be average at best. The writing was decent, but the story lacked originality and failed to captivate me. The characters felt underdeveloped, with their motivations often unclear. Additionally, the romance felt forced and lacked chemistry. While there were some interesting magical elements, they were not enough to save the overall lackluster execution. I personally wouldn't recommend "Myth and Magic" unless you are a die-hard fan of the genre.