Widow's peak
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This article is about the hairline formation. For other uses, see Widow's Peak (disambiguation).
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A young Iranian woman with a widow's peak
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Widow's peak
A widow's peak (widow's brow) is a descending V-shaped point in the middle of the hairline (above the forehead). The trait is inherited genetically and is 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. Hannibal Lecter is described as possessing a widow's peak.
Men with male-pattern baldness develop what appears to be a large widow's peak.
See also:
- List of Mendelian traits in humans
- Cupid's bow (a distinctive feature of the upper lip in some humans).
References
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