The research for this essay began with questions about the veil's duality as a symbol: as a marriage symbol, associated with wedding rituals, and as a symbol of consecrated virginity for women religious. The paradox that the two states of virginity and impending sexual consummation shared the same symbol, and the pivot from earthly bride to bride of Christ, seemed intriguing. This essay, however, proposes that in the early Middle Ages, the veil had multiple meanings, and that those meanings competed. Perhaps from contestation of meaning, the nun's veil as a symbol of her status as a bride of Christ eventually emerged as a viable reading for different interested parties.

There is at present considerable scholarly attention to the veil and its meanings in contemporary societies, particularly as Westerners encounter Islamic practices. The research complicates our understanding of the power dynamics between men and women. For Westerners, whose views are more or less influenced by Western feminism, it is easy to consider the veil as imposed by men, rather than adopted by women. Similarly, it is easy to assume that it is a shroud, that both encases female chastity and protects men from the temptations and impurity of women.