TRADITIONAL UKRAINIAN HAIRSTYLES AND HAIR-RELATED IDIOMS

Ukraine has a rich cultural heritage, and traditional hairstyles have played a significant role in expressing identity, status, and beliefs. From ancient times to the present, hair has been a symbol of beauty, strength, and even destiny in Ukrainian culture. Alongside these hairstyles, the Ukrainian language is filled with idioms related to hair, reflecting deep cultural meanings and everyday wisdom.

Traditional Ukrainian Hairstyles

1) The Long Braids of Ukrainian Maidens

One of the most well-known traditional Ukrainian hairstyles is the long, thick braid (kosá). In the past, unmarried girls grew their hair long and braided it as a symbol of purity, beauty, and good health. A single braid adorned with ribbons or flowers was a sign of youth, while letting one’s hair down in public was considered inappropriate.

If a girl’s braid was especially thick and shiny, it was basically the Instagram influencer hair of the time — envy-inducing and highly admired! 📸✨

2) Two Braids – A Sign of Girlhood 

Young girls often wore two braids instead of one, emphasizing their innocence and playfulness. This hairstyle was practical for everyday work and also served as a cultural marker of childhood.

If you had two neat braids, you were still a carefree girl. But once that single braid appeared — uh-oh, wedding bells were in the air! 💍

3) The Married Woman’s Hairstyle – Headscarves 

Once a woman married, she was expected to cover her hair. Traditionally, she would wrap her hair into a bun and wear a headscarf (namitka, ochipok) or a decorative headdress. This was a sign of marital status and respectability.

The transition from an uncovered braid to a covered hairstyle was often a deeply emotional moment for a bride. Imagine spending years growing out your gorgeous braid, only to have it hidden under a scarf — talk about a bittersweet glow-up! 

Hair-Related Idioms in the Ukrainian Language

Hair has been a powerful symbol in Ukrainian folklore and language, leading to many interesting idioms. Here are a few commonly used expressions:

1) "Волосся дибки стає" (Volossya dybky staie) – “Hair stands on end.”

📌 Meaning: Used to describe extreme fear or shock.
💡 Example: When you realize your hairstylist cut off way more than you asked for!

2) "Смикати за косу" (Smykaty za kosu) – “To pull the braid.”

📌 Meaning: In old times, boys would tease girls they liked by pulling their braids, similar to the Western idea of pulling pigtails as a form of flirtation.
💡 Example: Basically, medieval flirting at its finest. 

3) "Рвати на собі волосся" (Rvaty na sobi volossya) – “To tear one’s hair out.”

📌 Meaning: To be extremely upset or in distress.
💡 Example: Typically happens when you try to dye your hair at home, and it turns out… not great.

4) "Висмикнути волосину з каші" (Vysmyknuty volosynu z kashi) – “To pull a hair out of porridge.”

📌 Meaning: To notice something small and insignificant in a bigger picture.
💡 Example: Complaining about one strand of hair in an otherwise perfect blowout. 

5) "Зачесати під один гребінець" (Zachesaty pid odyn hrebinets) – “To comb everyone under the same brush.”

📌 Meaning: To generalize people or situations unfairly.
💡 Example: Assuming everyone with a mullet makes bad life choices (some of them just really like the ‘80s!).

Conclusion

Traditional Ukrainian hairstyles are not just about aesthetics — they are deeply woven into cultural identity, history, and social norms. Similarly, hair-related idioms in the Ukrainian language offer fascinating insights into how hair has been perceived symbolically over the centuries.

Whether through the beauty of a long braid or the wisdom in a well-placed idiom, hair continues to be a meaningful part of Ukrainian heritage. And if history has taught us anything, it’s that a great braid never goes out of style! ✨