What is the meaning behind clothes of different cultures?

Answer 1

Hi, Clothing in Different cultures can mean different things.In many cultures clothing styles, patterns, colors,even the way a garment is constructed has symbolic meanings.An example i can think of is fringes.Among the ancient civilization such as the Canaanites fringes where a sign of Royalty. Only the Princes wore fringes among the Canaanites and other ancient civilization. Among the ancient Israelite fringes and blue ribbon where worn on their clothing by all. The Israelites were bond by the laws of there GOD to put fringes on there clothing as a reminder to keep the laws and their Deliverance from slavery out of Egypt. This is stated in the Biblical book of Numbers.

Numbers 15:37 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Numbers 15:38 Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue:

Numbers 15:39 And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:

Numbers 15:40 That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God.

Numbers 15:41 I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the LORD your God.

Another example of clothing having a meaning in ancient cultures is the garments of women. You could tell many things about a woman based of her clothing. A married woman, a widow, or a virgin all had distinct clothing that make it easy to tell what they where.A good example comes out the Biblical book of Genesis when a woman Canaanite woman named Tamar husband dies. She puts on a widows garment as stated:

Genesis 38:11 Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father's house,till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house.

Genesis 38:12 And in process of time the daughter of Shuah Judah's wife died; and Judah was comforted, and went up unto his sheepshearers to Timnath, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite.

Genesis 38:13 And it was told Tamar, saying, Behold thy father in law goeth up to Timnath to shear his sheep.

Genesis 38:14 And she put her widow's garments off from her, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which is by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife.

Genesis 38:15 When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face.

These are just a Couple of examples of Clothing and meanings in different cultures. Its a very interesting topic of Clothing and meaning in different cultures. Hope this helps you.