Fingon's plaits

[Lissë]

According to "The Peoples of Middle Earth" Fingon "wore his long dark hair in great plaits braided with gold". On the internet I found images of Africans or African Americans with many small plaits and Native Americans with two great plaits. Since I seem to remember that Tolkien was influenced by Nordic sagas I looked for Celts, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, but of course there are no images. What do you think Fingon’s plaits looked like? Tolkien couldn’t have thought of Native Americans, could he?

[Earniel]

Welcome to the Entmoot! :)

Just because there aren't many images available of Celts or Anglo-saxons with braids (alas that photography was only invented so late.) doesn't rule out that they could wear their hair that way.

I certainly remember old texts mentioning the practise for women. But most men probably held their hair shorter because of the practicality of short hair in battle. Most depictions of those cultures that I've seen seem to follow that. With that in mind I'd say - depending on occasion and wealth - Celtic or Nordic men with hair braided with gold would not be that impossible. But I very much doubt it was a daily hairdress for either gender.

[Lissë]

Thank you Eärniel!