Mord'Sith wore their hair long as a sign of the authority, tightly plaited so their tresses did not impede their fighting skills (they thought Confessors were silly to have their hair flying loose during battle).

A braid was often woven by a fellow Sister, a show of camaraderie, the braid itself representing discipline and devotion as well as being practical.

In contrast, letting someone unbraid your hair, allowing them to release your locks, to caress the nape of your neck...that was a sign of trust, a far more intimate act than those outside the Sisterhood realised.