What Causes Widow's Peak Hair? Is Genetics Involved?

A widow's peak is a downward "V" shape in the middle of the hairline. This term was originally used because this type of hairline was thought to indicate that a woman would outlive her husband. The shape reminded the observer of a style of headdress worn by a woman in mourning. Despite the name, both men and women can have a widow's peak hairline.

There is debate as to whether a widow's peak hairline is determined by genetics. For this reason, an article in OMIM by Johns Hopkins University says, "A pointed frontal hairline may be inherited as a dominant." (Italics ours) But doubt is expressed by University of Delaware Professor John H. McDonald, of the Department of Biological Sciences. He refers to it as a "myth."

If it is a genetically dominant trait, one parent possessing the trait should be able to impart the distinctive hairline, 50 to 100 percent of the time. This is because each parent has two genes for each heritable characteristic. So, if one parent has widow's peak and the other one doesn't, it is possible for at least 50 percent of the couple's children to display widow's peak. If the one parent possesses two genes bearing the characteristic, that percentage increases to 100.

If it is not a genetically dominant trait, what causes it? Since a number of prominent universities and other institutions accept the genetics explanation, a strong alternative theory has not surfaced. It is known, however, that certain genetic conditions incorporate the feature of a widow's peak, such as Aarskog-Scott syndrome.

What is the etymology of widow's peak? It dates back to at least the 16^th century. Women in mourning would wear a peaked hood. It was felt that a woman with a hairline reminiscent of this hood would see her husband predecease her.

There is no evidence that widow's peak contributes anything to personality. However, Hollywood begs to differ. A widow's peak to them often reveals dark inner qualities, even evil tendencies. Consider, for example, Batman's nemesis, the Joker. Or how about the movie villain—a serial killer—Hannibal Lecter? And who would fail to recognize the widow's peak of Edward "Eddie" Wolfgang Munster of the television sitcom, "The Munsters?" Although he is also cute, Eddie is, after all, a werewolf! Then, too, there is Grandpa Munster—a vampire.

On the other hand (in real life) a V in the feminine hairline may be tolerated or even considered appealing. Some famous actresses with widow's peak include Marilyn Monroe, Sandra Bullock, and Drew Barrymore.

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Movie: The Prince and the Showgirl

Credit: PD by Wikimedia Commons (cropped)

Keanu Reeves

John Travolta

Rory Calhoun

Wentworth Miller

Boris Karloff

Leonardo DiCaprio

Michail Baryshnikov

University of Delaware: Myth of Human Genetics: Widow's Peak - The Myth, by Dr. John H. McDonald.

Word Origins: widow's peak

Also from Bright Hub: Tongue Rolling Genetics, by Paul Arnold.