The article contains a brief presentation of the development of monastic clothing forms in the eastern monasticism (IIIth-VIth centuries). The analysis is based on the early Christian literature which constitutes the basis for the recon-struction of the garment. It also indicates its origins . The form of the habit derives from widely used repertoire of secular clothing. The texts of first monastic rule of St. Pachomius and the ascetic writings included in the dissertation have been supplemented with iconographic material that illustrates the process of adaptation of secular forms of clothing to the requirements of monastic life as well as its transformation stages. The analysis embraces women’s and men’s clothing together with certain aspects of the symbolism of habit.
Second part of this article aims at an analysis of monastic garments, their use and symbolism from the fourth to tenth centuries in Europe. This was the period of the greatest development of monastic life, especially Benedictine. The analysis is based on the early monastic ideas of East Church and literary, juridical, and iconographic evidence which constituted monastic garments, their evolution and importance in West Church. The texts included in the article have been supplemented with iconographic material that illustrates the process of adaptation of secular forms of clothing to the requirements of monastic life as well as its transformation stages.
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