Why do witches wear pointy hats?

It is not known precisely why the pointy hat was chosen as the symbol of a witch. Sometime between 1710 and 1720, English children's books began featuring the hat. The pointy hat has been symbolic of witchcraft throughout the Victorian era and in such films as "The Wizard of Oz."

During the 17th century, pointy hats were used as a symbol of devilish horns and thus were fitting for witches who were believed to do the devil's work. There are other theories that the conical hats were intended to draw their wearer closer to God, thus redeeming their blackened souls.