Traditional Culture Encyclopedia - Photography and portraiture - Why do lawyers wear wigs in TVB plays?

Why do lawyers wear wigs in TVB plays?

Friends who like watching TVB TV dramas should know that Hong Kong lawyers wear white wigs when they appear in court. Why?

Speaking of the tradition of wearing wigs, it can be traced back to the famous French Sun King. Although he was the king of the sun, Louis XIV was unfortunately bald and began to wear a wig as a cover.

Later, aristocrats in French upper class followed suit and were proud of wearing wigs. Later, this tradition spread to Britain, and wealthy businessmen and royal nobles began to wear wigs. At 1660, many tall occupations require practitioners to wear wigs, such as lawyers.

Then, as the British Empire built an "empire that never sets" around the world, lawyers from Commonwealth countries were required to wear wigs to court. As a former British colony, Hong Kong's judiciary also followed the British tradition.

It is said that lawyers have certain considerations when wearing wigs. Friends who watch Hong Kong dramas know that lawyers wear wigs as well as black robes. This uniform wig and gown is a solemn symbol, showing respect for the law. Moreover, uniform professional dress can make people pay more attention to the trial itself, rather than the strange clothes of lawyers.

Although wigs can create a serious feeling, there are always voices against lawyers wearing wigs. This is because wigs are made of ponytails, and the price is very expensive, even a wig is as high as $5,000, which is a big burden for taxpayers. In addition, the wig is not easy to take care of, and it smells bad after sweating, which is unsanitary.

Therefore, many countries in the Commonwealth have gradually abolished this tradition, but the general situation in Hong Kong is still persisting.