Ahanging veil, also known as aflowing veil orcharity veil, is a type ofChristian headcovering, which is worn by some Christian women continually, in obedience toPaul the Apostle's command in1 Corinthians 11:2–10.[1][2] Hanging veils enjoy popularity in a diverse array of Christian denominations, especially those of theAnabaptist Christian tradition (such asMennonites andHutterites).[2] In certainConservative Mennonite Anabaptist congregationations of theBeachy Amish Mennonite tradition, an opaque hanging veil is permitted as an alternative to thekapp if it covers as much or more hair as the kapp, which traditionally is "of ample size to cover most of the hair".[2] Opaque hanging veils are usually white or black in colour for modesty.[3][4] Hanging veils are designed to drape over the natural curves of a woman's head and hang down a woman's neck.[1] Certain denominations of Christianity provide guidelines regarding the headcovering; theMinistry Training Center of the Biblical Mennonite Alliance, for example, teaches:[5]
A veiling shall be worn by the sisters. We believe the best application of the headship principle as taught in I Corinthians 11 is for the veiling to be worn as a part of their regular attire to cover hair that is allowed to grow to its natural length. Ladies shall wear all their hair neatly up, avoiding fashion extremes, covered with a hanging veil, scarf, or traditional Mennonite covering of sufficient size to substantially cover the hair. Hanging veils and scarves must cover at least from the crown of the head to the bottom of the hair bun.[5]
Women who headcover with the hanging veil wear it throughout the day, with the exception of sleeping, based onSaint Paul's dictum that Christians are to "pray without ceasing", Saint Paul's teaching that women being unveiled is dishonourable, and as a reflection of the created order.[6][7][8][9] Manuals ofearly Christianity, including theDidascalia Apostolorum andPædagogus likewise instruct that a headcovering must be worn by a Christian woman both during prayer and worship, as well as in public.[10][11]
The hanging veil, in either black or white, has also been added to many circles as being an accepted form of the head covering.
… worn to show that the wearer is in God's order. A sister should wear the veiling primarily because she is a woman, not because she periodically prays of teaches. It is true that verses 4 and 5 speak of the practice in relation to times of praying and prophesying. But very likely it was for such occasions that the Corinthians had begun to feel they might omit the practice in the name of Christian liberty. The correction would naturally be applied first to the point of violation. Greek scholars have pointed out that the clause "Let her be covered" is the present, active, imperative form, which gives the meaning, "Let her continue to be veiled."
Thou therefore who art a Christian [woman] … if thou wishest to be faithful, please thy husband only, and when thou walkest in the market-place, cover thy head with thy garment, that by thy veil the greatness of thy beauty may be covered; do not adorn the face of thine eyes, but look down and walk veiled; be watchful, not to wash in the baths with men.
Woman and man are to go to church decently attired … Let the woman observe this, further. Let her be entirely covered, unless she happen to be at home. For that style of dress is grave, and protects from being gazed at. And she will never fall, who puts before her eyes modesty, and her shawl; nor will she invite another to fall into sin by uncovering her face. For this is the wish of the Word, since it is becoming for her to pray veiled.
