Bun

What it is

This style gathers hair away from the face, twists or braids it, and wraps it into a round shape. The coil sits on top of the head, at the back, or just above the neck. It stays in place using hair ties, pins, clips, or sticks. Sometimes a foam insert called a rat helps create volume. Variations include single coils, double buns, and low or high positions. The look ranges from tight and neat to loose and messy, changing the perceived mood of the wearer.

Where it comes from

In China, young girls often wore two buns known as yaji, resembling the character for ox horns. This style persisted through many dynasties until the early twentieth century. Men in ancient China wore topknots seen on terracotta soldiers, continuing until the Ming Dynasty ended in 1644. Korean men in the Joseon Era wore the sangtu to show they were married. Japanese samurai wore the chonmage. Western Romans viewed topknots on Goths and Vandals as barbarian traits. The modern man-bun gained traction in London around 2010 and spread globally by 2015.

What it means

Position signals social cues. A high bun can suggest youthfulness or a desire to provoke, while a low bun feels more serious. Messy buns convey a carefree attitude. In Sikh tradition, the rishi knot supports a turban as a religious duty. Hindu mendicants wear the joora. In Korea, the sangtu marked marriage status. Chinese paintings show gender neutrality in double buns for children. The style carries historical weight from ancient armies and dynastic codes.

How it is made

Start by pulling all hair back from the face. Twist or plait the strands to keep them tidy. Wrap the length around itself to form a circle. Secure the coil tightly using bobby pins, u-pins, or a hair tie. For extra hold, use hair forks or sticks. You can add a hairnet or insert for shape. To remove, simply undo the pins or untie the elastic. Adjust the position to sit high, low, or to the side as desired.

Who and what it suits

The style works with any hair type that can be gathered and wrapped. Length matters more than texture, as enough hair is needed to form the coil. Thick hair may require more pins, while fine hair might need a rat for volume. The versatility allows it to suit different personal styles and cultural contexts.

Versions

Double buns are called odango in Japan and yaji in China. Side buns or space buns reference Princess Leia. Rey wore a triple bun in later films. The man-bun is a western adaptation of Asian topknots. The rishi knot is specific to Sikh and Hindu religious practices. The chonmage was worn by Japanese warriors. The sangtu marked marital status in Korea. Each variant adjusts position, number of coils, or cultural context.

In culture

Pop culture features space buns linked to Star Wars characters. Festival trends in the United States popularized double buns in the 1990s. Celebrities like David Beckham and Leonardo DiCaprio influenced the man-bun trend. Historical depictions in terracotta armies show ancient usage. Religious texts describe the rishi knot for Sikhs. Art from Chinese dynasties illustrates traditional girl hairstyles. Modern media continues to reflect these varied interpretations.

Questions people ask about Bun

Good reading and sources

• Man buns: a hair-raising trendThe Guardian, Article
• The Enduring Power of a Low Bun (Published 2017)The New York Times, Article

• Bun (hairstyle) on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data