What is Veil?
[[File:Constant Puyo - Women in Veils c1900.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Photo of two [[France|French]] women, about 1900.]] [[File:Manisharora4.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Model with veil and amazing [[hat]]. Manish Arora design at London Fashion Week 2007.]] [[File:Veil Nebula by Hubble 2007, segment 2.jpg|thumb|right|250px|'Veil' is also used figuratively. This is a telescopic photograph of the [[Veil Nebula]] in the [[constellation]] of [[Cygnus]]. It is the remains of a [[supernova]].]] A '''veil''' is a soft covering of all or part of the [[face]]. It has often been used by women in many cultures. It is often used by [[wikt:bride|brides]] on their [[wedding]] day. It may have [[religious]] meaning, or it may be used for pleasure or [[dance]]. It is different from a mask because a [[mask]] is close-fitting, and often firm or hard, while a veil is soft and may fit loosely. == Veils as communication == Veils are a kind of [[non-verbal communication]]. They always have some kind of unspoken message. Some kinds of veil include a [[wikt:hood|hood]] which covers the entire head, like a [[hijab]]. The point of covering the head entirely is to cover all parts which have any [[sexual]] meaning. A woman's hair is one of her secondary sexual characteristics, and acts (with her face, body and [[personality]]) to attract the opposite sex. Some religious groups believe that female [[sexuality]] should not be shown in public. The most important part of the head (for the viewer) is the [[face]], because the human face takes part in [[communication]]. Covering it says, in effect, 'this person is not available'. That is why it has been used so often by women. Because it is of soft material, the veil may be lifted back over the head or unclipped from one side. This is also a [[signal]]. It says 'now I am available'. So brides lift their veil at the point when they are married. Veils may be, and often are, partly [[transparent]]. This adds [[ambiguity]] and [[wikt:mystery|mystery]] to the '[[wikt:message|message]]' it offers the viewer;