HAIR (lasi/kosa/vlasi)

The centre of life and soul. It circles the head. If it is yellow, gold or red it is an image of the sun rays and thus connected to the heaven.

That is why it must not be combed after sunset, but, also, because it grows during the night. Perhaps this is the reason it is called ''vlasi'', after the ancient deity Volos (Veles, Vlasin, Vlašic, Vlas, etc.) Fairies can braid their hair to make a golden fishing-net to catch magic fish. If you put these nets on your hair you make decorative hats and they become a part of the women's festive costume. They can become crowns.

When gods of the daytime become gods of the night, their hair becomes darker. Autumn gods' hair is the colour of the earth and winter gods' hair is grey. If you comb your hair too often, or if you cut it, you take away your strength. That is why the hair of the newborn babies was cut and sacrificed to their life's judges and oracles, called ''suđenice''. Long hair and beard were a sign of a higher rank and independence so men in Medjimurje used to have long hair. But, it was also a sign of disregard for the norms of society.

Wearing your hair undone or cut short is a sign of mourning or devotion, i.e. submissiveness. It is best to cut your hair on Shrove Tuesday or during the waxing moon. Boys should not have their hair cut before they reach their seventh year or they will lose their courage. This belief has something to do with the superstition that the Sun loses its good qualities after July. When a child had its first haircut there was a feast and the child was given presents. The boy or the girl had a godfather who was considered a more important person in a child's life than the godfather at your christening or wedding (best man) who became a more important figure in a child's life later.