Hats Warding Off Evil Spirits

The theme of a hat warding off evil spirits comes up again and again in hat history. This example is from Haiti. This Voodoo Hat is woven of black and white straw and the contrasting colors form circular patterns on the crown and brim. There is not a straight line to be found in the patterns, and these saw-tooth lines represent the age-old running water sign. Primitive man believed that the evil spirits could not cross water and these water signs are meant to protect the wearer from evil influences.