Widow's peak
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the hairline formation. For the 1994 British film, see Widows' Peak.
A widow's peak is a descending V-shaped point in the middle of the hairline (above the forehead). The trait is inherited genetically and dominant.[1] The term comes from English folklore, where it was believed that this hair formation was a sign of a woman who would outlive her husband.[1]
The peak refers to the beak or bill of a headdress, particularly a widow's hood, making people think a woman was being given a mourning hood for her husband's soon-to-be passing.[2]
Vampires such as Dracula are often depicted in popular culture with a widow's peak.
Men with male-pattern baldness develop what appears to be a large widow's peak.
[edit] Examples from popular culture
- Fran Drescher actress best known as Fran Fine from the Nanny
- The Count from the children's TV series Sesame Street
- Sam Dracula (Grandpa Munster) and Eddie Munster from the TV series The Munsters
- Terence the Tractor from Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends
- Vegeta from the anime Dragon Ball Z
- Magus, from the video game Chrono Trigger
- Hannibal Lecter, from the book and film series.
- Kazuya Mishima from Tekken (series)
- Dan Donohue Pennsylvania high school basketball legend
- Matt Geogan
[edit] References
- ^ Campbell, Neil; Jane Reece (2005). Biology. San Francisco: Benjamin Cummings, pp. 265.
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