A hair shirt is a garment made from coarse animal hair, typically worn as a form of penance or self-mortification. Historically, hair shirts have been worn by religious ascetics, particularly in the Christian tradition.
Hair shirts are believed to have originated in the 4th century AD, when Saint Anthony the Great began wearing one as a sign of repentance and humility. The practice spread throughout the Christian world, and hair shirts became a common sight in monasteries and among the devout laity.





