17/02/2025
You may have noticed that I wear my hair in an unusual style. Many Daoists grow their hair long and gather it into a topknot. This seemingly simple tradition carries deep cultural and spiritual significance, offering insights into Daoism and Chinese heritage.
Daoism teaches harmony with the natural flow of energy that permeates all things. By allowing our hair to grow naturally, we honor the body’s intrinsic processes. However, while Daoists traditionally maintain long hair (or beards), they do not let it grow unkept. Instead, the hair is gathered into a topknot. This practice reflects the belief that hair is an extension of the body’s energy. Binding it in this specific way helps focus the heart and mind on spiritual cultivation (收心). The topknot also serves as a distinctive marker, distinguishing Daoists from laypeople and Buddhists.
The placement of the topknot is intentional. It sits over Bai Hui (百会), or “Hundred Meetings” (GV20), a critical acupuncture point. Five meridians pass through this spot, making it one of the body's most vital energy centers. Acupuncturists use Bai Hui to enhance mental clarity, calm the mind, expand awareness, and promote inner balance.
In recent years, more people have adopted the Daoist topknot, especially as part of the global resurgence of Wudang arts. However, traditionally, the topknot was reserved for those formally accepted into a Daoist lineage. A newcomer entering a Daoist temple would typically undergo a three-year probationary period, performing various tasks while being observed by the temple community. During this time, they would stop cutting their hair. If accepted as a disciple, a formal ceremony would be held in which their master would style their hair into a topknot for the first time and gift them a set of the master’s old robes.
The most common topknot style is formed by wrapping two sections of hair around a hair-stick, resembling a cow’s nose—hence its playful nickname, the “cow-nose style” (牛鼻头). Buddhist monks have been known to tease Daoists by calling them “cow-noses.” Interestingly, the cow is a revered symbol in Daoism. According to legend, Laozi, the author of the Dao De Jing, journeyed westward on the back of a cow. Because of this story, Daoists regard cows as fellow travelers on the path of the Dao. Just as a bull wears a ring through its nose to guide its movements, Daoists secure their topknots with a hair-stick (簪子, zan zi), symbolizing how their connection to the Dao leads them through life.
More than just a hairstyle, the Daoist topknot embodies profound spiritual meaning. It marks one’s acceptance into the Daoist community, channels and refines energy, enhances mental focus, and serves as a visible sign of dedication to the Dao.
