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{{Short description|Belt, esp. as a liturgical vestment}}
{{Other uses}}
[[Image:Anglican priest vested in an alb, cincture and purple stole.jpg|thumb|right|A Christian ([[Anglicanism|Anglican]]) [[priest]] wearing a white girdle around his waist to hold his [[alb]] and [[Stole (vestment)|stole]] in place.]]
A [[Belt (clothing)|belt]] without a buckle, especially if a cord or rope, is called a '''girdle''' in various contexts, especially historical ones, where girdles were a very common part of everyday clothing from antiquity until perhaps the 15th century, especially for women.  Most girdles were practical pieces of costume to hold other pieces in place, but some were loose and essentially for decoration. Among the elite these might include precious metals and jewels. 

Today, girdles are part of Christian liturgical [[vestment]]s, and the word is used in other contexts, such as American sports (for what is really a kind of underwear). 

The [[Girdle (undergarment)|girdle as an undergarment]] or abbreviated [[corset]] around the waist is a different, essentially 20th-century, concept, but from around 1895 there was a fashion for "girdles" as a separate section of a fashionable dress, worn just above the waist on top of the main dress. It was typically up to about eight inches high, and often terminated in a "V" shape. It might be the same colour as the main dress or not. It differs from the earlier [[Swiss waist]] of the mid-19th century by not having lacing or boning. 

==History==
[[Image:Godward - The Ring.jpg|thumb|200px|Grecian style [[tunic]] wrapped with a ''[[tainia (costume)|taenia]]'' (ribbon) girdle.|left]]
The men among the Greeks and Romans wore the girdle upon the loins, and it served them to confine the [[tunic]], and hold the purse, instead of pockets, which were unknown; girls and women wore it under the bosom. The ''[[Strophium]]'', ''[[Tainia (costume)|Taenia]]'', or ''[[Mitre|Mitra]]'' occurs in many figures. In the small bronze Pallas of the Villa Albani, and in figures on the Hamilton Vases, are three ''cordons'' with a knot, detached from two ends of the girdle, which is fixed under the bosom. This girdle forms under the breast a knot of ribbon, sometimes in the form of a rose, as occur on the two handsomest daughters of [[Niobe]]. Upon the youngest the ends of the girdle pass over the shoulders, and upon the back, as they do upon four [[Caryatid]]es found at Monte Portio. This part of the dress the ancients called, at least in the time of Isidore, ''[[wikt:succinctorium|Succinctorium]]'' or ''[[wikt:bracile|Bracile]]''. 

The girdle was omitted by both sexes in mourning. Often when the tunic was very long, and would otherwise be entangled by the feet, it was drawn over the girdle in such a way as to conceal the latter entirely underneath its folds. It is not uncommon to see two girdles of different widths worn together, one very high up, the other very low down, so as to form between the two in the tunic, a puckered interval; but this fashion was mostly applied to short tunics. The tunic of the Greek males was almost always confined by a girdle.

Among the [[Anglo-Saxons]], it was used by both sexes; by the men to confine their tunic, and support the sword. Some were richly embroidered, and of white leather.  A leather strap was chiefly worn by [[monk]]s.<ref>{{cite book |author=Rev. Thomas D. Fosbroke |date=1843 |title=Encyclopaedia of Antiquities and Elements of Archaeology, Volume 2 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R-8wAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA942 | publisher=London: M. A. Nattali |page=942}}</ref> Metal girdles were manufactured by [[girdler]]s.

==Vestment and iconography==

===Christian usage===
[[File:Accademia - Assumption of the Virgin by Palma il Vecchio.jpg|thumb|300px|In Catholic belief, the [[Girdle of Thomas]] is said to be handed down by the [[Virgin Mary]] during her [[Assumption of Mary|Assumption]]]]
{{Further|Cincture|Zone (vestment)}}
As a Christian [[liturgy|liturgical]] [[vestment]], the girdle is a long, rope-like cord tied around the waist over the [[alb]] or [[cassock]]. ''[[The Parson's Handbook]]'' describes the girdle as being made "generally of white linen rope, and may have a tassel at each end. About 12 ft. 6 in. long is a very convenient size if it is used double, one end being then turned into a noose and the tasselled ends slipped through. The girdle, however, may be coloured."<ref name="Dearmer1907">{{cite book|last=Dearmer|first=Percy|title=The Parson's Handbook|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Sp4SAAAAYAAJ|access-date=17 June 2015|year=1907|publisher=Oxford University Press|page=141}}</ref> They are used to close a [[cassock]] in [[Christian denomination]]s, including the [[Anglican Communion]], [[Catholic Church]], [[World Methodist Council|Methodist Church]] and [[Lutheran World Federation|Lutheran Church]].<ref name="Moore1996">{{cite book|last=Moore|first=Stephen E.|title=Church Words: Origins and Meanings|year=1996|publisher=Forward Movement Publications|isbn=9780880281720|page=53|quote=Generally an alb is closed with a girdle, an Anglican-style double-breasted cassock is closed with a cincture, and a Roman cassock is closed with either one.}}<!--|access-date=17 June 2015--></ref>

[[Christian monastic]]s would often hang religious texts, such as the [[Bible]] or [[Breviary]], from their girdles and these became known as [[girdle book]]s. In addition, they would often knot the ends of the girdle thrice, in order to represent the "vows of [[poverty, chastity, and obedience]]."<ref name="Moore">{{cite book|last=Moore|first=Stephen E.|title=Church Words: Origins and Meanings|year=1996|publisher=Forward Movement Publications|isbn=9780880281720|page=54|quote=Christ referred to the girdle as a symbol of preparation and readiness for service (Luke 12:35-38). St. Paul referred to it as a symbol of truth (Ephesians 6:14). The girdle of the monastic habit, knotted three times at the ends, symbolizes the three vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. The girdle became a Christian symbol of chastity, possibly derived from the ancient Jewish custom of women wearing ornate girdles symbolic of their virtue (Proverbs 31). Some traditional clergy still use an old vesting prayer when putting on the girdle which says, "Gird me, O Lord, with the girdle of purity, and quench in me the fire of concupiscence that the grace of temperance and chastity may abide in me."}}<!--|access-date=17 June 2015--></ref> As such, within the Christian Church, the girdle, in some contexts, represents chastity and within the [[Hebrew Bible]], "Proverbs 31 provides biblical reference to the ancient practice of girdle making by virtuous chaste women".<ref name="BershadMangone2011">{{cite book|last1=Bershad|first1=David|last2=Mangone|first2=Caroline|title=The Christian Travelers Guide to Italy|date=27 December 2011|publisher=Zondervan|isbn=9780310315759}}<!--|access-date=17 June 2015--></ref> In the [[New Testament]], "[[Jesus Christ|Christ]] referred to the girdle as a symbol of preparation and readiness for service ({{Bibleverse|Luke|12:35-38|KJV}})":<ref name="Moore"/>
{{quote|Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak.}}
[[Saint Paul]], in {{Bibleverse|Ephesians|6:14|WNT}} also references the term, stating "Stand therefore, first fastening round you the girdle of truth and putting on the breastplate of uprightness", further buttressing the concept of the girdle as a [[Christian symbol|symbol]] of readiness.<ref name="Pink2013">{{cite book|last=Pink|first=Arthur W.|title=Practical Christianity|date=1 January 2013|publisher=Prisbrary|isbn=9788997762446|page=281}}<!--|access-date=17 June 2015--></ref> Many Christian clergy, such as Anglican priests and Methodist ministers, use the following [[Christian prayer|prayer]] when wearing the girdle:
{{quote|Gird me, O Lord, with the girdle of purity, and quench in me the fire of [[concupiscence]] that the grace of [[Temperance (virtue)#Christianity|temperance]] and chastity may abide in me.<ref name="Moore"/>}}
By the 8th century AD, the girdle became established as a [[Christian liturgy|liturgical]] vestment "in the strict sense of the word."<ref name="SmithCheetham1880">{{cite book|last1=Smith|first1=Sir William|last2=Cheetham|first2=Samuel|title=Dictionary of Christian Antiquitics|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NjoPAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA728|access-date=17 June 2015|year=1880|publisher=J.B. Burr Publishing Company|page=728|quote=It has been said that it was not till the 8th century that we meet with the girdle as an ecclesiastical vestment in the strict sense of the word.}}</ref> In 800 AD, the girdle began to be worn by Christian [[deacons]] in the [[Eastern Christianity|Eastern Church]].<ref name="MARRIOTT1868">{{cite book|last=Marriot|first=Wharton Booth|title=Vestiarium Christianum; the Origin and Gradual Development of the Dress of Holy Ministry in the Church|access-date=17 June 2015|year=1868|publisher=Rivingtons|page=213|url=https://archive.org/stream/vestiariumchris00marrgoog#page/n320/mode/2up|quote=Till, in the eighth or ninth century, the idea of an intended resemblance in detail between the Christian and Levitical vestments was first broached, the Girdle, naturally was either not worn at all (with the ''tunica talaris'' it was not necessary), or, when worn, was not visible, and was thought of only as a matter of convenience. In none of the early monuments of the West before A.D. 800, is any trace of it to be seen. But in the East we have mention of a Girdle as worn by deacons, early in the eighth century.}}</ref>

Although the general word "[[cincture]]" is sometimes used as a synonym for the girdle, liturgical manuals distinguish between the two, as the "girdle is a long cord or rope while the cincture is a wide [[sash]]. Generally an alb is closed with a girdle, an Anglican-style double-breasted cassock is closed with a cincture, and a Roman cassock is closed with either one."<ref name="Moore1996"/>

In the medieval and early modern period there are also accounts of girdles being used as a mnemonic. These would be tied or decorated with bead so that, like a rosary, each notch would remind the wearer of a particular psalm or book.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hinde |first1=William |title=A faithfull remonstrance of the holy life and happy death of John Bruen |date=1641 |pages=55–59}}</ref> The girdle, in the 8th or 9th century, was said to resemble an ancient [[Levitical]] Jewish vestment, and in that era, was not visible. 

The girdle, for men, symbolizes preparation and readiness to serve, and for women, represents chastity and protection;<ref name="Moore"/> it was also worn by [[laity|laypersons]] in the [[Middle Ages]], as attested in literature. For example, the [[hagiographical]] account of [[Saint George and the Dragon]] mentions the evildoer being tamed with the [[sign of the cross]] and a girdle handed to [[Saint George]] by a [[virgin]].<ref name="Indick2012">{{cite book|last=Indick|first=William|title=Ancient Symbology in Fantasy Literature: A Psychological Study|date=18 May 2012|publisher=McFarland|isbn=9780786492336|page=124|quote=The hero uses the power of Christianity, the Sign of the Cross, to wound the dragon. Then, in an interesting twist, he calls to the virgin to toss her girdle round the dragon's neck. Upon being leashed by the virgin's girdle, the once impressible dragon is tamed. It follows the princess like a meek puppy-dog. St. George and the princess lead the dragon back to the village where it terrifies the townspeople. St. George promises to slay the beast, but only if the townspeople convert to Christianity, which they quickly do.}}<!--|access-date=17 June 2015--></ref>

===In Judaism===
A [[gartel]] is a belt worn by Jewish males, predominantly (but not exclusively) [[Hasidic Judaism|Hasidim]], during [[Jewish Prayer|prayer]]. "Gartel" is [[Yiddish]] for "belt" and is cognate with the English word "girdle". Gartels are generally very modest in appearance. Most are black, but some gartels are white. Hasidic custom requires that there be a physical divide between the heart and the genitalia during any mention of God's name. It is commonly explained that separating the upper and lower parts of the body manifests a control of the animal instincts of the person by the distinctly human intellect.

===Indian religions===
In the [[Vajrayana]] [[iconography]] of the ''[[Hevajra Tantra]]'', the 'girdle' (Tib.: ske rags), one of the 'Five Bone Ornaments' (aṣṭhiamudrā) symbolizes [[Amoghasiddhi]] and the 'accomplishing pristine awareness' (Kṛty-anuṣṭhāna-jñāna), one of the '[[Five Wisdoms]]' (pañca-jñāna).<ref>[[Jamgon Kongtrul|Kongtrul, Jamgön]] (author); (English translators: Guarisco, Elio; McLeod, Ingrid) (2005). ''The Treasury of Knowledge (shes bya kun la khyab pa'i mdzod). Book Six, Part Four: Systems of Buddhist Tantra, The Indestructibe Way of Secret Mantra''. Bolder, Colorado, USA: Snow Lion Publications. {{ISBN|1-55939-210-X}} (alk.paper) p.493</ref> The iconography of the girdle (or bone apron and belt <ref name="books.google.com">Beer, Robert (1999). ''The Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motifs''. Shambhala. {{ISBN|1-57062-416-X}}. Source: [https://books.google.com/books?id=XlqeS3WjSWIC&dq=five+bone+ornaments&pg=PA318] (accessed: December 28, 2008) p.318</ref>) in Vajrayana iconography developed from one of the items of vestment adorning the [[Mahasiddha]] of the charnel grounds.

Beer (1999: p.&nbsp;318) describes the bone girdle as the 'netted bone apron and belt' as vesture of the [[Dakinis]] and [[Heruka]] of the [[Cham Dance]] and Gar Dance of [[Tibetan Buddhism]] sacred ritual dance performances:

{{Quote|The bone ornaments worn in these ritual dances are exquisitely carved – especially the netted bone apron and belt, which are commonly adorned with intricately carved images of dakinis.<ref name="books.google.com"/>}}

==Girdles in literature and mythology==<!-- This section is linked from [[Sir Gawain and the Green Knight]] -->
[[File:Nicolaes Knüpfer - Hercules Obtaining the Girdle of Hyppolita - WGA12217.jpg|left|thumb|''Hercules Obtaining the Girdle of Hippolyta'' ([[Nikolaus Knüpfer]], 17th century)]]
Girdles are often portrayed as magical, giving power and strength if worn by men, and protection if worn by women. Several scriptures in the [[Bible]] make use of the girdle as a symbol for readiness and preparation.

In [[Greek mythology]], both men and women were described as wearing girdles. [[Hephaestus]] gifted his wife [[Aphrodite]] with a [[Girdle of Aphrodite|girdle]] that made the wearer irresistible to others, which [[Hera]] used to seduce [[Zeus]] in the ''[[Iliad]]''.<ref name="friedman" /> For his ninth [[Labours of Hercules|labor]], [[Heracles]] was sent to obtain the girdle of [[Hippolyta]], queen of the [[Amazons]]. In the ''[[Odyssey]]'', [[Leucothea]] gives [[Odysseus]] a girdle-like "veil" that allows him to swim for three days straight.<ref>{{Cite book |last=[[Homer]] |title=[[Odyssey]] |at=5.330-390}}</ref> 

The Babylonian goddess [[Ishtar]] wore a girdle, which, when it was removed, rendered the [[universe]] barren. The Norse god [[Thor]]'s girdle [[Megingjörð]] doubled his strength.<ref name="friedman" />[[Image:John William Waterhouse - The Lady of Shalott - Google Art Project edit.jpg|thumb|300px|[[The Lady of Shalott]], with a medieval girdle around her waist ([[John William Waterhouse]], 1888)]]Later, for women, the girdle became a sign of [[virginity]], and was often considered to have magical properties. Monsters and all types of evil are recorded as being subdued by girdles in literature, a famous one being the dragon slain by [[Saint George]]. Marriage ceremonies continued this tradition of girdles symbolizing virginity by having the husband take the wife's girdle, and [[prostitutes]] were forbidden to wear them by law in historic France. Often in literature, women are portrayed as safe from sexual or other attack when wearing a girdle, but suddenly vulnerable if it is missing or stolen.<ref name = friedman>Friedman, Albert B., and Richard H. Osberg. "Gawain's Girdle as Traditional Symbol." The Journal of American Folklore 90.357 (1977): 301-15.</ref>

Non-clothing uses in literature include [[J. R. R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s "Girdle of Melian", a magical, protective "wall" surrounding an elven kingdom.

==Sports==
In [[American football]], what is called a girdle is worn under the football player's pants to keep the hip, thigh, and tailbone pads in place, making the process of putting on the tight football pants easier. Older girdles resembled [[chaps]], in that they covered only the front of the leg with pads, that snapped on. Modern girdles are essentially a tight pair of [[compression shorts]] with pockets for the pads. The girdle was also used in the [[Mesoamerican ballgame]] and is used in hockey ([[National Hockey League]]).

Some designs are made specifically for use in the sport of [[ringette]].

==See also==
{{Portal|Christianity|Catholicism}}
*[[Confraternities of the Cord]]
*[[Girdle of Thomas]]
*[[Girdle book]]
*[[List of animals referred to as girdled]]
*[[Kushti]] worn by Zoroastrians
*[[Himiana]] worn by Mandaeans
*[[Zone (vestment)]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*{{Commonscatinline|Girdles}}

{{Lutheran Divine Service}}
{{CatholicMass|collapsed}}
{{Corsetry}}
{{lingerie}}

[[Category:Belts (clothing)]]
[[Category:Anglican vestments]]
[[Category:Lutheran vestments]]
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