Amish women wear bonnets because the Bible commands them to cover their heads while praying. The Amish believe they should always be ready to pray. That’s why women should always keep their heads covered.
The Bible passage, 1 Corinthians 11:5, specifically encourages women to cover their heads.
“But any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled brings shame upon her head, for it is one and the same thing as if she had had her head shaved.”
This scriptural guidance further reinforces the practice of wearing bonnets among Amish women.
Corinthians 11 further reads:
“For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”
Modesty and Humility
The bonnets that Amish women wear are also seen as a symbol of modesty, a virtue highly valued in Amish communities.
Bonnets are integral to a broader dress code, intentionally designed to minimize vanity and promote humility among the Amish.
By covering their head with these bonnets, Amish women express their commitment to a simple and humble way of life within the Amish tradition.
Cultural Identity
Bonnets also serve as a distinctive marker of Amish identity. The plain, functional design reflects their rejection of worldly fashion trends.
This adherence to traditional clothing helps strengthen their sense of community and separateness from the broader society.
In Amish tradition, the act of a woman covering her head signifies her submission to her husband.
Unmarried girls, on the other hand, use bonnets as a symbol of submission to their fathers.
At What Age Do Amish Girls Wear Bonnets?
Amish girls usually start wearing bonnets at age 12. They typically wear a black cap at school or when doing household chores. However, they will switch to a white covering when attending church service.
Upon completing school, often around 8th grade or at the age of 14-15, girls adopt a white covering for everyday wear.
Unmarried young girls typically opt for a black satin covering when attending church services.
When older single girls decide to leave the youth group and join married women, they switch to a white covering for church.
Following marriage, Amish women transition from black bonnets to exclusively wearing white bonnets. Brides wear their black satin covering for the last time, substituting it with a white one after the wedding ceremony.
The color of the bonnet serves as an indicator of an Amish woman’s marital status: black signifies single women, while white denotes married women.