Forehead Protector

The forehead protector is a type of headband that is worn by most shinobi, composed of a metal plate engraved with the symbol of the ninja's Hidden Village, and normally a band of cloth which can be in different colours. The forehead protector is received once a ninja graduates from the academy, and genin-level or higher ranked ninja are the only ones allowed to have and use them.

Despite the name "forehead protector", it can be worn in many different styles. For example, while the majority do wear theirs in the traditional manner, Sakura uses hers as a hair-band, Shikamaru has his on his upper arm, whereas Ino (in Part I) wore hers as a belt, Rock Lee and Might Guy wear theirs as a belt when they wear their green jumpsuits, while Temari (in Part I) and Hinata wear theirs as chokers. Genma Shiranui wears his forehead protector like a bandanna with the village symbol facing backwards. Others such as Izumo Kamizuki and Chōji Akimichi (in Part I) wore theirs like customised bandanna. Tobirama Senju, Kisame Hoshigaki, Zaku Abumi and Yamato also wear a mask-style forehead protector that frames their faces, rather than a cloth wrapping around their heads. Kankurō wears his on his hood. Gaara wraps his on his sand gourd. Yagura uses a under-shirt in which is the protector of Kirigakure in the middle and Chōjūrō uses it like a badge on his chest. Kakashi Hatake and Tonbo Tobitake wore theirs as makeshift eye-patches.

The forehead protector is meant to symbolise pride in one's village, as well as a symbol of fealty. Shinobi consider it an honorable, important part of their tradition, and make a point of wearing it at all time, especially when sparring with a comrade from the same village. For example, after the search for Tsunade, Naruto was disgusted by Sasuke's refusal to wear his forehead protector during their fight. There are also some shinobi who do not wear their headbands, despite still being loyal to the village. Several missing-nin (such as Zabuza Momochi) do not stop wearing their forehead protector, while others (such as Orochimaru) may discard them.

Trivia

 * On the cover for chapter 567, each jinchūriki is shown with a white forehead protector with the kanji for the number of tails of their respective beasts.
 * Masashi Kishimoto, in an interview, noted that he created forehead protectors because he found it too cumbersome to draw Naruto's goggles every week.