Terminology |
Surprise! I have changed my terminology to align (mostly) with that used by Karen Ribble of Braided Image, with whom I sometimes work. The following is the terminology you may find for braids on these pages. Note that braiding terminology is not standard. No one has written a definitive work, and as it's a folk process, it has folk-style terminology - ever changing.
| Braiding Style | A braiding style can be formed using different braiding
technique. It describes where the braids go and how they lie on
the head and where they end, etc.
Examples: crown, loose braid, classic. |
| Braiding Technique | A braiding technique is the actual type of braid.
Almost any braiding technique can be used for almost any style.
Some you wouldn't want to do, either because they wouldn't look good or
because they would be difficult, but you could do them.
Examples: Three strand, four strand, herringbone. |
|
Classic |
A braid on either side of the head. They often, but not always, come together in the back, either in a combination braid or a bun or chignon. |
|
Combination |
Two braids combining in the back of the head to a single free-hanging braid |
| Corn Rows | Dutch braids braided on hair parted in swaths 1-2" wide. |
|
High Combination |
Two braids coming together high on the back of the head and combining to a french/dutch/twist/etc. and continuing down the back of the head, usually ending in a free-hanging braid. |
|
Loose |
Any basic braid which is pulled away from the back of the crown of the head as it is constructed in such a way that the braid hangs amongst draping strands of hair. |
|
Perfect |
Any braid in which the hair on the lower half of the back of the head is left loose. Named for Dirk Perfect of The Swordsmen, who wears his hair thus. |
| Plait | (n, v) British word for braid. Exact same thing, simply different terminology. Like braid - I braid a braid - it can be used as either noun or verb. |
Know of any terms which should be added to this page? Email me!
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