Nemes: Striped head cloth worn by ancient Egyptian pharaohs.

The nemes is a striped linen head covering used by rulers in ancient Egypt. It drapes over the crown and neck with flaps falling over the shoulders. This item symbolised royal power in life and death. It appears on statues such as those of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel.

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Striped linen head cloth worn by pharaohs.
Features two large flaps called lappets.
Symbolises royal power in life and death.
Seen on statues of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel.
Adopted by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.

What it is

The nemes is a piece of striped head cloth. It covers the entire crown of the head, the back of the head, and the nape of the neck. Sometimes it extends slightly down the back. Two large flaps, known as lappets, hang down behind the ears and rest in front of both shoulders. This style was worn by pharaohs in ancient Egypt. It serves as a symbol of power for the ruler, representing authority in both life and death.

Where it comes from

This head covering originates from ancient Egypt. It was part of the regalia worn by pharaohs. Statues of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel show the nemes combined with the double crown. In modern times, the occult society called The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn adopted similar headwear. They spelled the word as nemyss and included it in their traditional ceremonial garb.

What it means

The nemes symbolises the power of the pharaoh. It represents authority during the ruler's life and continues to signify status in death. As part of the royal regalia, it distinguishes the monarch from other individuals. The specific design with hanging lappets is a recognised mark of Egyptian kingship in historical records and art.

How it is made

The style involves draping a large piece of striped linen over the head. The cloth covers the crown and the back of the neck. The wearer arranges two large flaps so they hang behind the ears. These lappets fall forward over the shoulders. It can be worn alone or combined with other crowns, such as the double crown.

A drawing made by EveryHairstyle from what this page says. It is a diagram, not a picture of the real hairstyle.

Who and what it suits

As a head covering made of linen, it conceals the hair completely. It was designed for pharaohs in ancient Egypt. The fit depends on the size of the cloth and how it is draped over the head and shoulders.

Versions

The nemes is sometimes combined with the pschent, also known as the double crown. This combination appears on statues of Ramesses II. A modern variant was used by The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, who referred to it as the nemyss. Other related Egyptian headgear includes the deshret and the hedjet.

In culture

The nemes is a key element in the visual identity of ancient Egyptian pharaohs. It appears in art and statues, such as those at Abu Simbel. The style has influenced later groups, including the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, who incorporated a version into their ceremonial dress. It remains a strong symbol of Egyptian royal history.

Since January 1, 2016 it is possible again to take photographs in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The funerary mask of Tutankhamun is certainly the most demanded exhibit. — Since January 1, 2016 it is possible again to take photographs in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The funerary mask of Tut. Photo: Roland Unger, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Questions people ask about Nemes

What is the nemes?

The nemes is a striped head cloth worn by pharaohs in ancient Egypt. It covers the head and neck and has two large flaps that hang over the shoulders. It is made of linen and symbolises royal power.

Who wore the nemes?

This head covering was worn by pharaohs in ancient Egypt. It was part of their royal regalia. Later, members of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn also wore similar headwear as part of their ceremonial garb.

What are the lappets?

Lappets are the two large flaps of the nemes head cloth. They hang down behind the ears and rest in front of both shoulders. These flaps are a distinctive feature of the style.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Nemes", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryHairstyle rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.

Nemes