64 Goddess Braid Ideas for Your Next Style

byStacy Harris -June 02, 2023

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So, what are Goddess Braids?

I searched the Internet for earliest definition I could find and found that Goddess Braids are large inverted cornrows (braided out vs in) that typically are created with added hair. They tend to wrap around the whole head in various patterns, creating a halo effect. Here’s a good example:

However, with the Black hair lexicon being as fluid as it is, Goddess Braids have come to be a catchall term for large cornrow styles, usually with under 10 braids.

Goddess braids are not to be confused with Goddess Locs or Goddess Box Braids. They’re sometimes confused with Ghana braids, but I’d say Ghana braids are Goddess Braids’ little sister. They’re similar in look, in that they start off small at the beginning of the braid and get thicker, but generally, Ghana braids tend to be smaller, like this:

Okay Finally, Goddess Braid Hairstyle Ideas!!!

The Goddess Crown

So, this is what I typically thought of when I thought of a Goddess Braid: one big old braid wrapped around the wearer’s head.

The Boho Goddess Braid or Butterfly Braid

Not too far from my traditional idea of the Goddess Braid is this whimsical iteration, also known as a Butterfly Braid.

More Elaborate Patterns with Big Braids

Then we have these lovely big braids that have a relatively more elaborate design, either with how the large braids curve, or by adding smaller braids or a stitch effect. But notice how there’s still that characteristic big curving braid.

Below is where the definition of Goddess Braids starts getting loose. Certain parts of the Internet (i.e. sites that are created for Black clicks and not really for Black people, JS), refer to the following styles as Goddess Braids, and they’ve been referred to as Goddess Braids for so long that they’re essentially part of the definition. So, who am I to push back? (I will however put Goddess in quotes below, though!)