Pigtail

Pigtails are a versatile hairstyle featuring two symmetrical sections of hair.

These sections are placed on opposite sides of the head. People often refer to this look as twin tails or twintails. Depending on the specific method used, the hair may be braided or left loose. When the hair is unbraided, these sections are sometimes called bunches, angel wings, or doggie ears. The term "pigtail" can be used broadly for both styles. However, some people use "pigtails" only when the hair is specifically plaited or braided.

There are many ways to construct and decorate this hairstyle. A person might choose to wear the hair high, low, or even positioned to the side of the head. Common techniques include the French braid or the fishtail braid. Some styles involve coiling the hair into small buns, or using beads and ribbons for decoration. In Japan, a popular variation is known as the odango hairstyle. In this version, each ponytail is partially coiled around its base. This creates a small bun from which the rest of the hair hangs free.

In certain parts of the world, pigtails follow specific cultural traditions. For example, schoolgirls in India and Vietnam often wear long braids as a custom. They loop the ends of each braid upward. Then, they fasten the loops to the base of the braid using ribbons. In some regions of China, hair bundles served as a social signal. Unmarried young girls often wore two buns on either side of their heads. This style was sometimes called "ox horns" and indicated they were available for marriage. Once a girl married, she would replace the two buns with a single bun to show her new status.

The word "pigtail" has a surprising history rooted in the 17th-century American colonies. Originally, the term did not refer to hair at all. It was used to describe a specific way of processing chewing tobacco. Workers would twist a handful of tobacco leaves together into a compact bunch. This bunch was then cured by drying it with or without smoke. Because the twisted bunch resembled the tail of a pig, people called it a "pigtail."

By the late 17th century, the term began to shift toward hair. Between the 1600s and the 1800s, it became a common way to describe any braided or plaited hairstyle.

Throughout history, different groups have adopted similar hair styles for formal reasons. The British army once used a single pigtail, known as a "queue," as part of their standard dress for long hair. Even today, British barristers wear wigs that include pigtails. They do this to hide the hairline and provide a level of basic anonymity. It is important to distinguish these from the Manchu "queue" of the Qing dynasty. While the Manchu style is sometimes incorrectly called a pigtail, it is a distinct historical coiffe.

In modern pop culture, pigtails are frequently used to define a character's image. Famous singers like Baby Spice of the Spice Girls and Britney Spears have used the style in music videos.

Fictional characters also rely on this look to convey personality. Examples include Harley Quinn, Angelica Pickles from *Rugrats*, Sailor Moon, and Boo from *Monsters, Inc.* Even in space, the style is visible, such as when astronaut Karen Nyberg appeared with pigtails aboard the International Space Station.

Today, the hairstyle has a massive influence on Japanese otaku culture and anime. In Japan, unbraided hair bunches are often called "twintails." This look is frequently used in anime and manga to represent innocence. The popularity of the style is so great that the Japan Twintail Association was created to celebrate it. The association even promotes the look through professional photo spreads. The culture is so dedicated that the Japan Anniversary Association recognizes an official "Twin Tail Day." This occurs every year on February 2. On this date, women participate by posting images of their hairstyles on Twitter.