When watching British TV dramas, we often see the judges and lawyers wearing wigs. I believe that many friends have doubts, why do they wear these slightly exaggerated wigs?
The wigs worn by lawyers and judges are called Wigs in Court. It originated in the seventeenth century and has more than 300 years of history. Today, many UK and Hong Kong courts still maintain the habit of wearing Wigs in Court.
Because in the former European region, wearing a wig symbolized the status of high-class people such as dignitaries, judges, and lawyers. The United Kingdom is a conservative country, so in the British legal system, the cultural heritage of wearing wigs has been preserved.
1. In fact, wearing a wig was first popular in France. In 1620, King Louis XIII of France put on a wig to cover up his baldness. And many French aristocrats thought that the king was very handsome and fashionable after wearing a wig, so the aristocrats of the upper class in France also began to wear wigs. Later, this trend of wearing wigs swept the whole of Europe. Britain, Spain, Prussia, and other high society people also started to wear wigs, and even women wore wigs to participate in various social activities.
2. After the death of King Louis XIII of France in 1643, the trend of wearing wigs ended. But British judges and lawyers continue the tradition. They thought wearing a wig and wearing a black robe would give everyone a solemn feeling. If you wear a wig, you can get rid of selfish thoughts and become the embodiment of the law, allowing judges and lawyers to handle cases impartially and selflessly. Around 1810, the wigs of British judges also formed a unique culture, the famous Wigs in Court. This wig is divided into two types: long hair and short hair. Long hair is used on those ceremonial occasions, while short hair is used in daily court appearances. Since Britain was once an empire on which the sun never sets, the United Kingdom promoted the tradition of judges wearing wigs to its colonies.
3. Because lawyers, like doctors, rely on qualifications and experience to make money. So the older and older the wigs some lawyers wear, the better, which proves their seniority. The price of wigs used by judges and lawyers is also very different. If machines produce wigs, the price is naturally meager, but these wigs are generally sold to younger judges and lawyers. The artificially woven wigs are the most expensive, and only some wealthy justices and barristers will use artificially woven wigs; This is the origin of British judges who used wigs to handle cases.
There is another way of saying the origin of these Wigs in Court:
Head lice were rampant throughout Europe in the seventeenth century, especially in England and France. People had to shave their heads to prevent lice from attacking them, and they began wearing wigs to cover their bald heads.
In 1624, King Louis XIII of France, who was troubled by hair loss, also wore a wig to cover his bald head. Louis XIV is very respectful of wigs. On various public occasions, the king will personally choose a wig.
Judges and lawyers wearing wigs are seen as well-dressed professionals in court practice. They look solemn and put the Court in a solemn atmosphere, demonstrating the authority of the law and respect for the regulation.
In addition, wearing wigs and robes in Court can hide the identity, age, and even appearance of legal practitioners and allow judges to treat them equally and make fair judgments. In addition, it can make it difficult for criminals to identify themselves outside the courtroom and protect the personal safety of judges and lawyers.
Wigs in Court come in various forms; they differ from those worn by general people; general wigs are made more and more invisible just for beauty. For example, Now popular black wigs - HD lace wigs are almost invisible compared to natural hair.
A Wig in Court is a Full Bottomed Wig for grand events and ceremonial occasions, which can reach the shoulders; the Barristers wig usually worn by lawyers in Court is relatively short and only covers the top of the head; while judges wear short wigs. The Bench Hair has no curls on both sides.
There is also a saying in the British judicial circle that the older and older the wig, the longer and more experienced judges and lawyers have been. So they will not easily change their wigs.