"Hair" In ancient beliefs, hair is not just about beauty but is the highest part of the body and the dwelling place of "Kwan," the life energy that determines a person's fate. Many wonder if changing hair color or cutting hair on important days like Songkran or other auspicious days can truly transform bad luck into good fortune.
Today, Thairath Online will take everyone to explore five inherited mystical beliefs to boost confidence.
According to Thai and Eastern beliefs, hair is like an "antenna" that receives energy from the universe. Here are the five most frequently asked questions by spiritual followers.
Ancient belief holds that hair color affects the "grace" on the face. Changing hair color is like adjusting the aura’s tone. If the chosen color matches the individual's elemental birth sign, it can attract positive energy. For example, dyeing hair a lighter tone during a bad luck period can "open up" the fortune, attracting kindness from elders and clearer new opportunities.
The belief in "cutting hair to ward off bad luck" is rooted in the idea that excessively long or split ends hold stagnant and dull energy. Trimming hair at the Thai New Year symbolizes cutting away hardships, obstacles, and illnesses from the previous year, allowing new hair (new opportunities) to grow in replacement.
"No haircuts on Wednesdays" This belief is deeply rooted, as Wednesday is considered a day of growth and transition. Cutting or damaging anything on such an auspicious day may halt progress or dull wisdom. Spiritual followers or those who believe in this often strictly avoid coloring or cutting hair on this day. Some hair salons even choose to close on Wednesdays.
Some texts believe that people with thick, healthy long hair can better "store" financial energy, while short hair symbolizes agility and skill in earning money. If one feels money is leaking away, growing hair longer and regularly nourishing it to shine is believed to help stabilize finances.
Washing hair with holy water or water infused with auspicious flower petals during Songkran is believed to wash away "bad luck" and evil from the head, preparing to receive blessings from the gods and the heavens at the start of the Thai New Year.