What does the Bible say about dreadlocks?

Dreadlocks, a hairstyle characterized by the matting and knotting of hair into rope-like strands, have been worn in various cultures throughout history. The hairstyle has different meanings in different contexts. An important question to ask is whether dreadlocks symbolize something anti-Christian. What message do dreadlocks send?

The history of dreadlocks spans multiple continents and religious traditions. Ancient Egyptians, Indian sadhus, and Rastafarians are all recorded as wearing similar hairstyles. In some cultures, dreadlocks are associated with spiritual vows, such as the Hindu sadhus, who wear their hair in dreadlocks to signify their renunciation of worldly attachments.

In the modern era, dreadlocks are often associated with the Rastafarian movement, which began in Jamaica in the 1930s. Rastafarians wear dreadlocks as a sign of their covenant with God, based on the belief that they should not alter the natural state of their hair. Additionally, dreadlocks can symbolize a rejection of Western norms and a return to African roots for many in the African diaspora.

When it comes to whether dreadlocks are anti-Christian, it is essential to distinguish between cultural expressions and spiritual or religious symbolism. The Bible does not directly address hairstyles such as dreadlocks, but there are relevant passages that can guide our understanding.

In the Old Testament, the Nazarite vow is a notable example of uncut hair symbolizing devotion to God. Numbers 6:5 states, “All the days of his vow of separation, no razor shall touch his head. He shall be holy until the time is completed for which he separates himself from the Lord. He shall let the locks of hair of his head grow long” (ESV). There’s no indication that the Nazarite wore dreadlocks as we know them, but the long hair was clearly associated with a commitment to holiness. A principle growing out of the Nazarite tradition is that outward expressions, such as hairstyles, can have spiritual significance.

Genuine faith and devotion are matters of the heart rather than external appearance. In 1 Samuel 16:7, God reminds the prophet Samuel, “The Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart’” (ESV). God is more concerned with the state of one’s heart than with external markers like hairstyles. Similarly, 1 Peter 3:3–4 advises Christian women, “Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious” (ESV). Christians, both men and women, are called to prioritize godliness over external appearances.

It would be inaccurate to label dreadlocks as inherently anti-Christian. The Bible does not prescribe specific hairstyles, and it certainly does not condemn dreadlocks. Instead, it teaches that a believer’s outward expressions should reflect a heart devoted to God.

Dreadlocks, like any hairstyle, are neutral in themselves. Their meaning and significance depend on the intent and beliefs of the person wearing them. This neutrality should reassure us that there is no inherent conflict between dreadlocks and Christian faith. If a Christian wears dreadlocks to express cultural identity, there is no biblical mandate against it. However, it would be problematic if dreadlocks were worn to symbolize rebellion against God or to associate oneself with practices or movements contrary to biblical Christianity.