the practice of some Christian churches, mystics, and monks, of cutting the hair from the scalp of clerics, devotees or holy people as a symbol of their renunciation of worldly fashion and esteem
The tonsure (shaving the head) is used in some circles as an outward sign of dedication to priestly or god centered role. It may be a one-time thing or it may be maintained continually, depending on...
The novitiate was essentially a probationary training period for anyone wishing to become a monk and during this time the tonsure was not appropriate. The tonsure was only given once the novice...