Note 43 — Chapter II · THE HEROIC AND VILLAGE GODLINGS.

It was a common English belief that all who have communication with fairies find their hair all tied in double knots.43 As we shall see later on, the hair is universally regarded as an entry for spirits, perhaps, as Mr. Campbell suggests, because it leads to the opening in the skull through which the dying spirit makes its exit. Hence many of the customs connected with letting the hair loose, cutting it off or shaving.