Mohawk vs. Fohawk — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on October 23, 2023
Mohawk features shaved sides with a central strip of long hair, while a Fohawk mimics this style but without shaving the sides.
Difference Between Mohawk and Fohawk
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The Mohawk is a striking and rebellious hairstyle, manifesting as a narrow strip of lengthy hair running along the top of the head from the forehead to the nape, with both sides of the head shaven clean. Divergently, the Fohawk, a portmanteau of "fake" and "Mohawk," implies a similar aesthetic but without committing to shaving the sides of the head, establishing a less radical appearance while nodding to the rebellious essence of the original Mohawk style.
A notable characteristic of the Mohawk revolves around its historical and cultural relevance, often associated with punk subculture and rebelliousness, while the Fohawk allows wearers to engage with a tamed, socially acceptable version of the radical original. The Fohawk preserves the hair on the sides, often merely styling it to create a faux Mohawk look, leveraging the versatility in everyday presentation.
Embracing the Mohawk necessitates a willingness to uphold a stark, distinctive hairstyle that boldly announces itself. In contrast, the Fohawk stands out by providing a palatable alternative that communicates a playful, edgy aesthetic without requiring the commitment to a fully shaven side, thereby allowing an easier transition between styles and a more workplace-appropriate aesthetic.
Styling a Mohawk involves maintaining the precision of the shaven sides and often employing products to uphold the central strip, an iconic and globally recognized style. In contrast, the Fohawk typically necessitates the use of styling products to manipulate the hair, creating a visible contrast and lift, delivering an impression of the Mohawk without the permanence of shaving and the potential for varied styling.
Conclusively, while the Mohawk persists as a symbol of defiance and non-conformity, the Fohawk emerges as a socially and aesthetically digestible alternative, granting wearers the edginess of the former with the flexibility and versatility of a less rigid style, navigating between daring and practical.
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Comparison Chart
Sides of the Head
Shaven
Not shaven
Styling Effort
Moderate (keeping the strip upright)
Variable (depending on desired appearance)
Cultural Association
Punk subculture and rebellion
Trendy, fashionable
Flexibility
Limited (due to shaven sides)
High (various styling options)
Commitment Level
High (due to the need to maintain shaven sides)
Low (easily reversible)
Compare with Definitions
Mohawk
Hairstyle requiring maintenance of a center strip.
He uses gel to keep his Mohawk upright and rigid.
Fohawk
A hairstyle mimicking the Mohawk without shaving the sides.
His Fohawk was a nod to punk style without full commitment.
Mohawk
Shaven sides with a prominent, often spiked, top strip.
The Mohawk often signifies a departure from traditional styles.
Fohawk
Casual, trendy haircut emulating the Mohawk.
The Fohawk became popular as a fashionable, edgy style.
Mohawk
A hairstyle with shaven sides and a central strip of long hair.
Punk rockers often sport a Mohawk as a symbol of rebellion.
Fohawk
A non-permanent, adaptable version of the Mohawk.
He chose a Fohawk for its versatility in styling options.
Mohawk
Haircut signifying non-conformity and rebellion.
His Mohawk immediately catches attention in the crowd.
Fohawk
A hairstyle that maintains an edge without shaved sides.
The Fohawk gives a playful, rebellious look without the maintenance.
Mohawk
A member of a Native American people formerly inhabiting northeast New York along the Mohawk and upper Hudson Valleys north to the St. Lawrence River, with present-day populations chiefly in southern Ontario and extreme northern New York. The Mohawk were the easternmost member of the Iroquois confederacy.
Fohawk
Hair styled to resemble a Mohawk without using a razor.
The Fohawk allows him to alternate between styles easily.
Mohawk
The Iroquoian language of the Mohawk.
Fohawk
Alternative spelling of fauxhawk
Mohawk
A hairstyle in which the scalp is shaved except for an upright strip of hair that runs across the crown of the head from the forehead to the nape of the neck.
Mohawk
Alternative case form of Mohawk
Mohawk
One of a tribe of Indians who formed part of the Five Nations. They formerly inhabited the valley of the Mohawk River.
Mohawk
One of certain ruffians who infested the streets of London in the time of Addison, and took the name from the Mohawk Indians.
Mohawk
A member of the Iroquoian people formerly living along the Mohawk River in New York state
Mohawk
The Iroquoian language spoken by the Mohawk people
Mohawk
A globally recognized, bold hairstyle.
The Mohawk has become synonymous with the punk rock movement.
Common Curiosities
Can a Fohawk be turned into a Mohawk?
Yes, by shaving the sides, a Fohawk can be turned into a Mohawk.
Is a Fohawk easier to maintain than a Mohawk?
Yes, a Fohawk generally requires less maintenance than a Mohawk.
Is a Mohawk culturally significant?
Yes, Mohawks have historical and subcultural significance.
Can a Fohawk be styled in different ways?
Yes, a Fohawk offers varied styling options due to retained side hair.
Which hairstyle requires more frequent haircuts, Mohawk or Fohawk?
Mohawk often requires more frequent maintenance to keep sides shaven.
Can both Mohawk and Fohawk be worn by all genders?
Yes, both hairstyles can be adopted by any gender.
Does a Mohawk require hair products for styling?
Typically yes, Mohawks often require products for hold and structure.
How does a Mohawk differ from a Fohawk?
A Mohawk involves shaven sides, while a Fohawk retains side hair.
Is the Fohawk considered a modern hairstyle?
Yes, the Fohawk is often associated with modern, trendy looks.
Does a Mohawk always need to be spiked?
No, Mohawks can be styled in various ways, not always spiked.
Are there age restrictions for wearing a Fohawk?
No, a Fohawk can be worn by individuals of all ages.
Do Mohawks have military origins?
Yes, Mohawks have been adopted by certain military groups historically.
Can a Fohawk be worn with longer side hair?
Yes, Fohawks can be styled with varying lengths of side hair.
Is the Fohawk suitable for formal occasions?
Often, the Fohawk is seen as more adaptable to formal settings than a Mohawk.
Can color be added to a Mohawk or Fohawk?
Yes, both hairstyles can be dyed or highlighted as desired.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
