Mongolia
Late 20th century
Silk, cotton
Known as the leader’s hat, this style was worn by Sukhbaatar, a national hero who was instrumental in Mongolia’s fight for independence from China. Today, men typically wear this hat in the summer for celebrations and festivals. It is ubiquitous during Naadam, the national holiday that is marked by competitions in horseracing, wrestling, and archery. The endless knot, which tops the hat, features prominently in Mongolian culture and is one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Tibetan Buddhism, signifying the interconnectedness of all things.