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m Harry Styles was shown as having a widow's peak, when, in fact, his hair is receding at the temples.
 
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{{Short description|V-shaped point in the hairline}}
{{About|the hairline formation||Widow's Peak (disambiguation){{!}}Widow's Peak}}
{{About|the physical trait||Widow's Peak (disambiguation){{!}}Widow's Peak}}
[[File:Widowspeak.jpg|thumb|right|alt=This photograph is of a young woman with a widow's peak.|Woman with a widow's peak]]
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2012}}
A '''widow's peak''' is a distinct point in the [[hairline]] in the center of the [[forehead]]. This hair anomaly is a result of a lower-than-usual position of the intersection of the [[bilateral symmetry|bilateral]] [[periorbital]] fields of hair-growth suppression on the forehead.
[[File:Gary Cooper NM430.jpg|thumb|right|Actor [[Gary Cooper]] had a distinctive widow's peak.]] A '''widow's peak''' is a V-shaped point in the [[hairline]] in the center of the [[forehead]]. Hair growth on the forehead is suppressed in a [[bilateral symmetry|bilateral]] pair of [[periorbital]] fields. Without a widow's peak, these fields join in the middle of the forehead so as to give a hairline that runs straight across. A widow's peak results when the point of intersection on the forehead of the upper perimeters of these fields is lower than usual.


==Definition==
==Definition==
A widow's peak is a distinct point in the hairline in the center of the [[forehead]];<ref>{{cite paper|title=Dominant and Recessive Traits|url=http://faculty.virginia.edu/teach-present-bio/GeneticsWorksheet.html|accessdate=April 21, 2010}}</ref> it is a dominant [[Heredity|inherited trait]],<ref>{{cite paper|title=Human Traits: autosomal|publisher=Introductory Biology I Lab Projects|url=http://faculty.southwest.tn.edu/jiwilliams/Human_Traits.htm|accessdate=April 21, 2010}}</ref> and typically does not skip generations.<ref name=drd>{{cite web|title=Genetics - widow's peak|author=Dougherty, Kristiann|date=September 12, 2007|url=http://en.allexperts.com/q/Genetics-1795/widow-peak.htm|accessdate=April 22, 2010}}</ref> There are varying degrees of the peak.<ref name=drd/> People who don't have a widow's peak have a hairline that runs straight across.<ref name=drd/>
A widow's peak is a distinct point in the hairline in the center of the [[forehead]];<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|title=Biology Online Dictionary|url=https://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Widows_peak|access-date=January 23, 2018}}</ref> there are varying degrees of the peak. Although it is commonly taught as an example of a dominant [[Heredity|inherited trait]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Human Traits: autosomal|publisher=Introductory Biology I Lab Projects|url=http://faculty.southwest.tn.edu/jiwilliams/Human_Traits.htm|access-date=April 21, 2010|journal=|archive-date=January 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123190918/http://faculty.southwest.tn.edu/jiwilliams/Human_Traits.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Dominant Inheritance|publisher=Genetics Generation|url=http://knowgenetics.org/dominant-inheritance/|access-date=January 23, 2018}}</ref> there are no scientific studies to support this.<ref name="myth">{{cite web|url=http://udel.edu/~mcdonald/mythwidowspeak.html|title=Myths of Human Genetics: Widow's peak: The myth|last1=McDonald|first1=John H.|date=2011-12-08|access-date=2013-10-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Observable Human Characteristics|publisher=Learn.Genetics|url=http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/basics/observable/|access-date=January 23, 2018}}</ref>


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
[[File:Alessandro algardi, Ritratto di Olimpia Maidalchini, 1646-1647.jpg|thumb|Sculpture of [[Olimpia Maidalchini]] wearing a widow's hood.]]
⚫
The term stems from the belief that hair growing to a point on the forehead &ndash; suggestive of the peak of a widow's hood &ndash; is an [[omen]] of early [[widow]]hood.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|title=Online Etymology Dictionary|url=http://www.etymonline.com/word/widow|access-date=April 21, 2010}}</ref> The use of peak in relation to hair dates from 1833.<ref name=tiny>{{cite encyclopedia|title=Expressions & Sayings:W|url=http://users.tinyonline.co.uk/gswithenbank/sayingsw.htm|access-date=April 21, 2010}}</ref> The expression widow's peak dates from 1849.<ref name=tiny/> The use of peak may refer to the beak or bill of a [[Headgear|headdress]], particularly the distinctive [[Hood (headgear)|hood]] with a pointed piece in front &ndash; a biquoquet<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9EI_AAAAcAAJ&q=biquoquet&pg=PT83 |title=A French and English dictionary |author= Randle Cotgrave|year=1776 |publisher=Anthony Dolle (Golden Ball) |access-date=December 11, 2011}}</ref> &ndash; which widows wore as a hood of [[mourning]] dating from 1530.<ref name=tiny/> Another explanation for the origin of the phrase suggests that it may be related to the mourning caps worn as early as the 16th century. A [[Widow's Cap|mourning cap]] or 'Mary Stuart Cap' is a cap which features a very distinctive triangular fold of cloth in the middle of the forehead, creating an artificial widow's peak. The use of peak referring to a point in the cloth covering the forehead dates to at least 1509 when it appears in [[Alexander Barclay]]’s ''The Shyp of Folys'':


⚫
<blockquote>And ye Jentyl wymen whome this lewde vice doth blynde Lased on the backe: your peakes set a loft.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|title=Wordorigins.org|author=Wilton, David|url=http://www.wordorigins.org/index.php/widows_peak/|access-date=April 21, 2010}}</ref></blockquote>
⚫
The term stems from the belief that hair growing to a point on the forehead &ndash; suggestive of the peak of a widow's hood &ndash; is an [[omen]] of early [[widowhood]].<ref>{{cite dictionary|title=Online Etymology Dictionary|url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?l=w|accessdate=April 21, 2010}}</ref> The use of peak in relation to hair dates from 1833.<ref name=tiny>{{cite dictionary|title=Expressions & Sayings:W|url=http://users.tinyonline.co.uk/gswithenbank/sayingsw.htm|accessdate=April 21, 2010}}</ref> The expression widow's peak dates from 1849.<ref name=tiny/> The use of peak may refer to the beak or bill of a [[Headgear|headdress]], particularly the distinctive [[Hood (headgear)|hood]] with a pointed piece in front &ndash; a biquoquet<ref>{{cite web |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=9EI_AAAAcAAJ&pg=PT83&lpg=PT83&dq=biquoquet&source=bl&ots=v0BFiiVoCw&sig=8cWYF5avVSDS0s0uhYy4FTQOU0A&hl=en&ei=XWMSTvGACY66hAfA_fHRDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CEAQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=biquoquet&f=false |title=A French and English dictionary |author= Randle Cotgrave|date= 1776 |work= |publisher=Anthony Dolle (Golden Ball) |accessdate=11 December 2011}}</ref> &ndash; which widows wore as a hood of [[mourning]] dating from 1530.<ref name=tiny/> Another explanation for the origin of the phrase suggests that it may be related to the mourning caps worn as early as the 16th century. A mourning cap or Mary Stuart Cap is a cap which features a very distinctive triangular fold of cloth in the middle of the forehead, creating an artificial widow's peak. The use of peak referring to a point in the cloth covering the forehead dates to at least 1509 when it appears in Alexander Barclay’s The Shyp of Folys:


⚫
<blockquote>And ye Jentyl wymen whome this lewde vice doth blynde Lased on the backe: your peakes set a loft.<ref>{{cite dictionary|title=Wordorigins.org|author=Wilton, David|url=http://www.wordorigins.org/index.php/widows_peak/|accessdate=April 21, 2010}}</ref></blockquote>

[[Image:Mina_widows_peak.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A young Iranian woman with a widow's peak]]
==Causes==
==Causes==


The widow's peak hair anomaly is interpreted as being the result of a lower-than-usual position of intersection of the [[Bilateral symmetry|bilateral]] periorbital fields of hair-growth suppression on the forehead.<ref name=hall>{{cite book|title=Handbook of physical measurements|author1=Hall, Judith G.|author2=Allanson, Judith|author3=Gripp, Karen|author4=Slavotinek, Anne|publisher=Oxford medical publications|isbn=0195301498, 9780195301496|year=2007|page=336|url=http://books.google.com/?id=mmKNPQUZ8cwC&dq=Widow's+peak+scalp-hair+anomoly+and+its+relation+to+ocular+hypertelorism}}</ref> This can occur because the [[periorbital]] fields of hair-growth suppression are smaller than usual, or because they are widely spaced.<ref name=hall/> Wide spacing also explains the association between [[human eye|ocular]] [[hypertelorism]] - that is, the eyes being abnormally far apart - and widow's peak;<ref name=hall/> this was suggested by findings in an unusual case of ocular hypertelorism in which surrounding scalp-hair growth was suppressed by an ectopic (displaced) eye.<ref name=lancet>{{cite journal|title=Widow's Peak Scalp-Hair Anomaly and its Relation to Ocilar Hyperthelorism|author1=Smith, D.W.|author2=Cohen, M.M.|journal=The Lancet|volume=302|issue=7838|page=1127|date=November 17, 1973}}</ref>
Ely Guv Hintonith and M. Michael Cohen hypothesized the widow's peak hairline to be an anomaly<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Smith|first1=DW|last2=Cohen|first2=MM|title=Widow's peak scalp-hair anomaly and its relation to ocular hypertelorism.|journal=Lancet|date=17 November 1973|volume=2|issue=7838|pages=1127–8|doi=10.1016/s0140-6736(73)90939-2|pmid=4128017|url=http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(73)90939-2/abstract|access-date=26 March 2017}}</ref> that results from a lower-than-usual point of intersection of the bilateral periorbital fields of hair-growth suppression on the forehead.<ref name=hall>{{cite book|title=Handbook of physical measurements|author1=Hall, Judith G.|author2=Allanson, Judith|author3=Gripp, Karen|author4=Slavotinek, Anne|publisher=Oxford medical publications|isbn=9780195301496|year=2007|page=336|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mmKNPQUZ8cwC&q=Widow's+peak+scalp-hair+anomoly+and+its+relation+to+ocular+hypertelorism}}</ref> This can occur because the periorbital fields of hair-growth suppression are smaller than usual, or because they are more widely spaced.<ref name=hall/> Wide spacing also explains the association between [[human eye|ocular]] [[hypertelorism]] – that is, the eyes being abnormally far apart – and widow's peak;<ref name=hall/> this was suggested by findings in an unusual case of ocular hypertelorism in which surrounding scalp-hair growth was suppressed by an ectopic (displaced) eye.<ref name=lancet>{{cite journal|title=Widow's Peak Scalp-Hair Anomaly and its Relation to Ocilar Hyperthelorism|author1=Smith, D.W.|author2=Cohen, M.M.|journal=The Lancet|volume=302|issue=7838|pages=1127–8|date=November 17, 1973|doi=10.1016/s0140-6736(73)90939-2|pmid=4128017}}</ref> In some cases, Widow's peaks are a symptom of [[Donnai-Barrow syndrome]], a rare genetic disorder caused by mutations in the [[LRP2]] gene.<ref>Donnai-Barrow syndrome, National Institute of Health, http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/donnai-barrow-syndrome</ref> Other genetic syndromes occasionally associated with widow's peaks include [[Waardenburg syndrome]] and [[Aarskog syndrome]].<ref name="Reardon2007">{{cite book|author=William Reardon|title=The Bedside Dysmorphologist|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Aqb5dPbjtk4C&q=widow%27s+peak|date=28 September 2007|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-971982-2|page=16}}</ref> Widow's Peaks are also seen to derive from Opitz G/BBB syndrome.


Widow's peaks are slightly more common among males, although in recent studies the difference has been found to not be statistically significant. Studies among the Isoko ethnic group in Nigeria found that 15.45% of males had a widow's peak present as compared to 16.36% of females.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Ogbor-Omorie|first1=Ese|last2=Anibor|last3=Opiah|first3=Adaeze|title=The distribution of widow's peak trait among young adults of the Isoko ethnic group in Delta State, Nigeria|journal= Annals of Bioanthropology|date=14 January 2016|volume=3|issue=2|pages=47–49|doi=10.4103/2315-7992.173985|s2cid=133139008|url=https://triggered.edina.clockss.org/ServeContent?url=http://www.bioanthrojournal.org%2Farticle.asp%3Fissn%3D2315-7992%3Byear%3D2015%3Bvolume%3D3%3Bissue%3D2%3Bspage%3D47%3Bepage%3D49%3Baulast%3DAnibor|access-date =29 December 2021 |doi-access=free }}</ref>
==In popular culture==

<!-- NOTE: Please add referenced examples only. -->
==Notable examples==
A number of fictional people have a widow's peak.<ref name=redmond>{{cite article|title=What Causes Widow's Peak Hair?|author=Redmond, J.C.|editor=Arnold, Paul|date=September 2, 2009|url=http://www.brighthub.com/science/genetics/articles/34508.aspx#ixzz0lnpCjzQS|accessdate=April 21, 2010}}</ref> In stories and on film this trait is often associated with a [[villain]];<ref>[http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/VillainousVidowsPeak Villainous Vidows Peak at [[TV Tropes]]]</ref> [[Count Dracula]] is an example.<ref name=redmond/> [[Eddie Munster]] &ndash; from the television program "[[The Munsters]]" &ndash; also had this distinctive hairline.<ref name=redmond/> Another villain depicted as having widow's peak hair is [[Joker (comics)|The Joker]] from "[[Batman]]" comic books and films.<ref name=redmond/> [[Hannibal Lecter]] is described as having one in the novels that feature his story.<ref name=redmond/> Villainous [[Natasha Fatale]] from "[[The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show]]" has a widow's peak.<ref name="redmond"/>in dragon ball z one of the most prominent characters in the series, Vegeta has a prominent widow's peak.<ref>[http://dragonball.wikia.com/wiki/Vegeta]
<!-- NOTE: Please add referenced examples only. -->
[[File:Styles performing at Wembley (cropped).png|thumb|Musician Harry Styles has a receding hairline which may be confused with a widow's peak.|194x194px]]<!-- NOTE: Please add referenced examples only. -->
People with natural widow's peaks include singers [[Nick Jonas]], [[Britney Spears]], [[Damiano David]], [[Alex Turner]], [[Lauren Jauregui]], [[Jack White]], [[Kat Bjelland]], [[Rebecca Black]], and [[Zayn Malik]], six-time world [[Snooker]] champion [[Ray Reardon]] (nickname [[Dracula]], in reference to his prominent widow's peak and sharp [[Canine tooth|canine teeth]].),<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-10-08 |title=Snooker legend Ray Reardon at 90: 'Proud for Wales, proud for myself' |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/63158271 |access-date=2024-02-23 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref> professional tennis player [[Taylor Fritz]], actors [[Chris Hemsworth]], [[Keanu Reeves]], [[Kit Harington]], [[Leonardo DiCaprio]],<ref name="huffp">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/10/widows-peak_n_4071756.html|author=Dana Oliver|title=23 Celebrity Widow's Peaks You Never Noticed|work=[[Huffington Post]]|date=October 10, 2013|access-date=January 4, 2014}}</ref><ref name="hstw">{{cite web|url=http://health.howstuffworks.com/pregnancy-and-parenting/parenting/am-i-turning-into-my-mother-5.htm|title=Am I Turning Into My Mother? 5 Traits You Inherit From Your Mom|author=Jennifer Wolfe|date=April 24, 2013|access-date=January 4, 2014}}</ref> [[John Travolta]],<ref name="huffp" /> [[Grace Kelly]],<ref name="huffp" /> [[Blake Lively]],<ref name="huffp" /> [[Fran Drescher]],<ref name="huffp" /><ref name="hstw" /> [[Rita Hayworth]], [[Marilyn Monroe]], [[Andy García]], [[Colin Farrell]], [[James Roday]], [[Rekha]], [[Luke Evans (actor)|Luke Evans]], and male model [[Hamza Ali Abbasi]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://coolmenshair.com/2012/03/memorable-mens-hairstyles-in-movies.html|title=Top 15 Most Memorable Men's Hairstyles In Movies|website=CoolMensHair.com|author=Karl|date=March 22, 2012|access-date=July 7, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=24 November 2018 |title=50 Short Haircuts for Men of 2018 - 2hairstyle |url=http://www.2hairstyle.com/2018/11/short-haircuts-for-men.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129184023/http://www.2hairstyle.com/2018/11/short-haircuts-for-men.html |archive-date=29 November 2018 |access-date=3 February 2024 |website=2hairstyle.com}}</ref> as well as politicians [[Paul Ryan]],<ref name="wp">{{cite news |title=Paul Ryan's widow's peak: A game-changer in GOP veepstakes?| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/reliable-source/post/paul-ryans-widows-peak-a-game-changer-in-gop-veepstakes/2012/04/05/gIQA2qfHyS_blog.html |last1=Roberts |first1=Roxanne |last2=Argetsinger |first2=Amy |newspaper=Washington Post |date=April 6, 2012}}</ref> [[Ronald Reagan]],<ref name="wp" /> Andrew Jackson.<ref name="wp" />

A number of fictional people have a widow's peak.<ref name="redmond">{{cite news|title=What Causes Widow's Peak Hair?|author=Redmond, J.C.|editor=Arnold, Paul|date=September 2, 2009|url=http://www.brighthub.com/science/genetics/articles/34508.aspx#ixzz0lnpCjzQS|access-date=April 21, 2010}}</ref> In film, this trait is often associated with a [[villain]] or antagonist;<ref>{{cite news |title=It really was love at first bite |url=https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2012/aug/14/weekly-notes-queries-widows-peak |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=15 November 2012 |location=London |date=August 14, 2012}}</ref> [[Count Dracula]] is an example. [[Eddie Munster]] &ndash; from the television program ''[[The Munsters]]'' &ndash; also had this distinctive hairline.<ref name="redmond" /> Another villain depicted as having widow's peak hair is [[Joker (comics)|The Joker]] from [[Batman]] comic books and films. [[Namor|Namor, the Sub-Mariner]] has long held the feature.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://comicvine.gamespot.com/namor/4005-1476/|title = Namor (Character)}}</ref> [[Vegeta]] from the ''[[Dragon Ball]]'' franchise is known for his widow's peak.<ref name="redmond" /> [[Hannibal Lecter]] is repeatedly described as having one in the novels that feature his story. However, the hairline is not strictly associated with fictional villains, for example beloved Disney character Mickey Mouse sports a distinctive widow's peak. The original illustrations of [[Sherlock Holmes]] present the famed detective with a prominent widow's peak, as do all of [[Spider-Man]] co-creator [[Steve Ditko]]'s drawings of [[Peter Parker]], and a sketch of [[James Bond]] personally commissioned by the author [[Ian Fleming]]. [[Pulp fiction (genre)|Pulp fiction]] hero [[Doc Savage]] also had this hair trait.<ref name="dent">{{cite news|title=Lester Dent: The Man Behind Doc Savage|author=Mallory, Michael|url=http://www.mysteryscenemag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2753:lester-dent-the-man-behind-doc-savage&catid=38:profile&Itemid=191}}</ref> [[Oberyn Martell]] from [[George R. R. Martin]]'s ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'' novels is described as having a prominent widow's peak.

Additionally, widow's peaks are shown to poll well for politicians. According to research by [[Shawn Rosenberg]] of the [[University of California, Irvine]], "widow’s peaks (though more so on female candidates) were a clear positive. It was associated with being seen as more competent and with greater integrity".<ref>{{Cite news|title = Paul Ryan's widow's peak: A game-changer in GOP veepstakes?|url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/reliable-source/post/paul-ryans-widows-peak-a-game-changer-in-gop-veepstakes/2012/04/05/gIQA2qfHyS_blog.html|newspaper = The Washington Post|date = 2012-04-05|access-date = 2016-02-01|issn = 0190-8286|language = en-US|first = The Reliable|last = Source}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Hay hood]], a barn architectural element sometimes called widow's peak


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
<references/>

==External links==
* {{commons category-inline}}
* {{Wiktionary-inline}}

{{Human hair}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Widow's Peak}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Widow's Peak}}
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[[Category:Hairstyles]]
[[Category:Facial features]]
[[Category:Facial features]]
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[[Category:Human hair]]

[[de:Spitzer Haaransatz]]
[[fi:Calvities frontalis]]
[[pl:Wdowi szpic]]
[[zh:美人尖]]

Latest revision as of 12:21, 9 January 2025

This article is about the physical trait. For other uses, see Widow's Peak.

Actor Gary Cooper had a distinctive widow's peak.

A widow's peak is a V-shaped point in the hairline in the center of the forehead. Hair growth on the forehead is suppressed in a bilateral pair of periorbital fields. Without a widow's peak, these fields join in the middle of the forehead so as to give a hairline that runs straight across. A widow's peak results when the point of intersection on the forehead of the upper perimeters of these fields is lower than usual.

Definition

[edit]

A widow's peak is a distinct point in the hairline in the center of the forehead;[1] there are varying degrees of the peak. Although it is commonly taught as an example of a dominant inherited trait,[2][3] there are no scientific studies to support this.[4][5]

Etymology

[edit]
Sculpture of Olimpia Maidalchini wearing a widow's hood.

The term stems from the belief that hair growing to a point on the forehead – suggestive of the peak of a widow's hood – is an omen of early widowhood.[6] The use of peak in relation to hair dates from 1833.[7] The expression widow's peak dates from 1849.[7] The use of peak may refer to the beak or bill of a headdress, particularly the distinctive hood with a pointed piece in front – a biquoquet[8] – which widows wore as a hood of mourning dating from 1530.[7] Another explanation for the origin of the phrase suggests that it may be related to the mourning caps worn as early as the 16th century. A mourning cap or 'Mary Stuart Cap' is a cap which features a very distinctive triangular fold of cloth in the middle of the forehead, creating an artificial widow's peak. The use of peak referring to a point in the cloth covering the forehead dates to at least 1509 when it appears in Alexander Barclay’s The Shyp of Folys:

And ye Jentyl wymen whome this lewde vice doth blynde Lased on the backe: your peakes set a loft.[9]

Causes

[edit]

Ely Guv Hintonith and M. Michael Cohen hypothesized the widow's peak hairline to be an anomaly[10] that results from a lower-than-usual point of intersection of the bilateral periorbital fields of hair-growth suppression on the forehead.[11] This can occur because the periorbital fields of hair-growth suppression are smaller than usual, or because they are more widely spaced.[11] Wide spacing also explains the association between ocular hypertelorism – that is, the eyes being abnormally far apart – and widow's peak;[11] this was suggested by findings in an unusual case of ocular hypertelorism in which surrounding scalp-hair growth was suppressed by an ectopic (displaced) eye.[12] In some cases, Widow's peaks are a symptom of Donnai-Barrow syndrome, a rare genetic disorder caused by mutations in the LRP2 gene.[13] Other genetic syndromes occasionally associated with widow's peaks include Waardenburg syndrome and Aarskog syndrome.[14] Widow's Peaks are also seen to derive from Opitz G/BBB syndrome.

Widow's peaks are slightly more common among males, although in recent studies the difference has been found to not be statistically significant. Studies among the Isoko ethnic group in Nigeria found that 15.45% of males had a widow's peak present as compared to 16.36% of females.[15]

Notable examples

[edit]
Musician Harry Styles has a receding hairline which may be confused with a widow's peak.

People with natural widow's peaks include singers Nick Jonas, Britney Spears, Damiano David, Alex Turner, Lauren Jauregui, Jack White, Kat Bjelland, Rebecca Black, and Zayn Malik, six-time world Snooker champion Ray Reardon (nickname Dracula, in reference to his prominent widow's peak and sharp canine teeth.),[16] professional tennis player Taylor Fritz, actors Chris Hemsworth, Keanu Reeves, Kit Harington, Leonardo DiCaprio,[17][18] John Travolta,[17] Grace Kelly,[17] Blake Lively,[17] Fran Drescher,[17][18] Rita Hayworth, Marilyn Monroe, Andy García, Colin Farrell, James Roday, Rekha, Luke Evans, and male model Hamza Ali Abbasi,[19][20] as well as politicians Paul Ryan,[21] Ronald Reagan,[21] Andrew Jackson.[21]

A number of fictional people have a widow's peak.[22] In film, this trait is often associated with a villain or antagonist;[23] Count Dracula is an example. Eddie Munster – from the television program The Munsters – also had this distinctive hairline.[22] Another villain depicted as having widow's peak hair is The Joker from Batman comic books and films. Namor, the Sub-Mariner has long held the feature.[24] Vegeta from the Dragon Ball franchise is known for his widow's peak.[22] Hannibal Lecter is repeatedly described as having one in the novels that feature his story. However, the hairline is not strictly associated with fictional villains, for example beloved Disney character Mickey Mouse sports a distinctive widow's peak. The original illustrations of Sherlock Holmes present the famed detective with a prominent widow's peak, as do all of Spider-Man co-creator Steve Ditko's drawings of Peter Parker, and a sketch of James Bond personally commissioned by the author Ian Fleming. Pulp fiction hero Doc Savage also had this hair trait.[25] Oberyn Martell from George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire novels is described as having a prominent widow's peak.

Additionally, widow's peaks are shown to poll well for politicians. According to research by Shawn Rosenberg of the University of California, Irvine, "widow’s peaks (though more so on female candidates) were a clear positive. It was associated with being seen as more competent and with greater integrity".[26]

See also

[edit]
  • Hay hood, a barn architectural element sometimes called widow's peak

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Biology Online Dictionary. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  2. ^ "Human Traits: autosomal". Introductory Biology I Lab Projects. Archived from the original on January 23, 2016. Retrieved April 21, 2010.
  3. ^ "Dominant Inheritance". Genetics Generation. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  4. ^ McDonald, John H. (December 8, 2011). "Myths of Human Genetics: Widow's peak: The myth". Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  5. ^ "Observable Human Characteristics". Learn.Genetics. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  6. ^ Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved April 21, 2010.
  7. ^ a b c Expressions & Sayings:W. Retrieved April 21, 2010.
  8. ^ Randle Cotgrave (1776). A French and English dictionary. Anthony Dolle (Golden Ball). Retrieved December 11, 2011.
  9. ^ Wilton, David. Wordorigins.org. Retrieved April 21, 2010.
  10. ^ Smith, DW; Cohen, MM (November 17, 1973). "Widow's peak scalp-hair anomaly and its relation to ocular hypertelorism". Lancet. 2 (7838): 1127–8. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(73)90939-2. PMID 4128017. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  11. ^ a b c Hall, Judith G.; Allanson, Judith; Gripp, Karen; Slavotinek, Anne (2007). Handbook of physical measurements. Oxford medical publications. p. 336. ISBN 9780195301496.
  12. ^ Smith, D.W.; Cohen, M.M. (November 17, 1973). "Widow's Peak Scalp-Hair Anomaly and its Relation to Ocilar Hyperthelorism". The Lancet. 302 (7838): 1127–8. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(73)90939-2. PMID 4128017.
  13. ^ Donnai-Barrow syndrome, National Institute of Health, http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/donnai-barrow-syndrome
  14. ^ William Reardon (September 28, 2007). The Bedside Dysmorphologist. Oxford University Press. p. 16. ISBN 978-0-19-971982-2.
  15. ^ Ogbor-Omorie, Ese; Anibor; Opiah, Adaeze (January 14, 2016). "The distribution of widow's peak trait among young adults of the Isoko ethnic group in Delta State, Nigeria". Annals of Bioanthropology. 3 (2): 47–49. doi:10.4103/2315-7992.173985. S2CID 133139008. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
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  17. ^ a b c d e Dana Oliver (October 10, 2013). "23 Celebrity Widow's Peaks You Never Noticed". Huffington Post. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  18. ^ a b Jennifer Wolfe (April 24, 2013). "Am I Turning Into My Mother? 5 Traits You Inherit From Your Mom". Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  19. ^ Karl (March 22, 2012). "Top 15 Most Memorable Men's Hairstyles In Movies". CoolMensHair.com. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  20. ^ "50 Short Haircuts for Men of 2018 - 2hairstyle". 2hairstyle.com. November 24, 2018. Archived from the original on November 29, 2018. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
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  22. ^ a b c Redmond, J.C. (September 2, 2009). Arnold, Paul (ed.). "What Causes Widow's Peak Hair?". Retrieved April 21, 2010.
  23. ^ "It really was love at first bite". The Guardian. London. August 14, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
  24. ^ "Namor (Character)".
  25. ^ Mallory, Michael. "Lester Dent: The Man Behind Doc Savage".
  26. ^ Source, The Reliable (April 5, 2012). "Paul Ryan's widow's peak: A game-changer in GOP veepstakes?". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
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