Queue

What it is

This style requires the top front of the scalp to be shaved clean, leaving only the hair at the back and sides. The remaining length is typically grown out and woven into a single long braid that hangs down the back. Historically, this was a mandatory look for adult males in specific regions and periods, creating a distinct visual marker of political allegiance and ethnic identity.

Where it comes from

The practice originated with the Jurchen and Manchu tribes of Manchuria before being imposed on the Han Chinese population during the Qing dynasty. In 1645, the regent Dorgon issued an edict requiring all Han men to shave their foreheads and wear the braid. This order was enforced violently, with resistance met by execution. The style remained compulsory until the fall of the Qing dynasty in 1912, though some individuals continued wearing it as a traditional symbol of loyalty to the old regime well into the 1920s.

What it means

The queue served as a powerful symbol of submission to Qing rule. For the Manchu rulers, it distinguished loyal subjects from rebels. For the Han Chinese, refusing to shave the forehead was seen as a violation of Confucian filial piety, which holds that one's body and hair are gifts from parents that must not be damaged. Consequently, the hairstyle became a focal point of cultural conflict and political protest, with many viewing the forced alteration as an attack on their heritage.

How it is made

To create this look, the hair on the forehead and temples is completely shaved off. The barber or individual repeats this process approximately every ten days to maintain the smooth front appearance. The hair left at the back of the head is allowed to grow long and is then tightly plaited into a single braid. This braid is often secured or weighted to hang straight down the wearer's back.

Versions

While the standard queue involved a full shave of the front, some groups like the Khitan wore similar styles with small braids hanging from shaved foreheads. Other variations included different patterns of shaving or braiding among various northern tribes like the Xiongnu and Tuoba. In European and North American armies during the 18th century, soldiers wore shorter versions of this style, which disappeared after the Napoleonic Wars.

In culture

The hairstyle became internationally associated with Chinese immigrants in the 19th and early 20th centuries. In Australia and the United States, the distinctive look made Chinese men targets of anti-Chinese riots and discrimination. The term 'pigtail' was often used pejoratively in Western contexts. The style also appeared in film and media as a stereotypical representation of historical or immigrant Chinese characters.

Questions people ask about Queue

Good reading and sources

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