A popular hairstyle across many cultures, "pull back hair" generally refers to any style where hair is gathered from the sides and fastened at the back or crown of the head. A ponytail is the most basic and recognizable form of pulling back hair, seen in sports, casual settings, and even formal events.
This versatile style offers numerous benefits, including keeping hair out of the face and preventing tangles. It also adds an element of style, and can be dressed up with accessories like ribbons or hairpins. In ancient Greece, for instance, young women of high status would tie their hair up with a wide ribbon called a "strophion" as a symbol of their maidenhood.