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Dear Dagmar, In my own research, the veil signified modesty. A married woman covered her hair. Delphic oracles and prostitutes didn't. Much discourse on the veil in contemporary Islam will reveal the currency of the ancient discourse. In most Greek city states, married women lived very secluded lives in the women's section of the home. they did not go out to shop, nor did they dine with the men or their guests. In ancient Israel, women were veiled to signify their modesty and to protect men at prayer from temptation. roman women wore veils for modesty but they were not heavily veiled like Greek women. there is also evidence that whatever was considered shameful to the gods was protected from them by veiling. so during the execution of criminals in gladiatorial games, the gods themselves were veiled to screen the unclean from their sight. Christian women, who forswore marriage (the forerunners of nuns) were perceived as virile women, i. e. they had male status, and many refused to wear veils. some even adopted male clothing. This caused some angst, as it breached gender categories. As Christianity became less counter-cultural, consecrated virgins were veiled at the ritual just as brides were. Instead of being 'soldiers of Christ' they became 'brides of Christ'. In late antique discourse it is very clear that the veil symbolises subjection to male authority. In a sense, a woman has no 'head' of her own. Her male relatives or husband are her head. this is very much a potted history but gives you and idea of how the discourse of veiling holds implications for women. women's hats in public were the western equivalent of veils. Kim E. Power Research Fellow Project for the Study of Women's History, Theology and Spirituality Institute for the Advancement of Research St. Patrick's Campus Locked Bag 4115 MDC Fitzroy, VIC 3065 Phone: (61 3) 9953 3148 Fax: (61 3) 9953 3315 Email: [log in to unmask]