Turban is a headdress worn by men in Muslim and Hindu countries. The name comes from a Persian word that means a long scarf wound around the head or around a small hat. A turban protects the head from the hot sun. The wearer may wrap a portion of the turban around the lower half of the face to protect against blowing sand and dirt. The style and decoration on a turban may indicate the social rank of the wearer. Princes of India wore colorful silk and gold turbans.
Turban also means a small hat worn by women that resembles a scarf wrapped around the head. Turbans for women have been in and out of style since the 1400’s.
