In some film and television works, it is often seen that judges and lawyers in British courts wear a white wig. We can also see this in Hong Kong dramas. Then why? Here is the information I collected about this interesting phenomenon. Let's have a look?
Then why do judges and barristers wear wigs in court? There are many statements about this kind of problem.
Many people believe that this is to reflect solemnity and power:
Court trial also needs certain rituals and rules to strengthen the solemnity, dignity and power of the court and judges. Most of the judges of the earliest British courts were from royalty or nobility. They designed a set of court trial rules to highlight the power of life and death in their hands. As early as the 12th century, the British upper class began to wear wigs and attend various formal activities, symbolizing high status. High ranking judges are naturally willing to accept it, and then it has become a conventional norm.
By the end of the middle ages, the British lawyer class gradually formed, and had a close relationship with the monarchy and the ruling class, became a member of the upper class, and began to wear headgear in court. To some extent, the conservatism of the British is in their bones, so white curly hair sets and black robes have lasted for hundreds of years.
However, there are many different views on the origin of this tradition.
One saying is: in the middle ages, the judiciary was a very hard work. They were often overworked, coupled with heavy mental work, so that many people were "extremely smart". In order to hide their hair loss and beauty, they put on wigs and gradually became popular.
Another argument is that this can play a protective role. This is because wigs with makeup can blur their appearance and protect them from the attack and retaliation of the court.
There is also a saying: if a judge wears a black robe and a wig, he can hide his true face, remove selfish thoughts and become the representative of the rule of law and the embodiment of truth, goodness and beauty. Generally speaking, their wigs are known to be fake at a glance, giving people a special feeling of "dehumanization" and "untruth". It reflects the idea of treating judges as non-human, non divine and half human and half god.
However, wearing a kind of wig is uncomfortable, very hot and easy to stink. However, wearing a kind of wig is uncomfortable, very hot and easy to stink. Therefore, the British government decided that from October 2, 2008, most British judges and lawyers can no longer wear wigs in court, except the judges who try criminal cases!
Fortunately, when I was a child, I foolishly thought that when I was a judge, I had to have such a hairstyle