'The leathern girdle' which John the Baptist wore signifies an external band that receives and contains interior things.

(Riferimenti: Arcana Coelestia 9372)

8789. And let them wash their garments. That this signifies the purification of truths, is evident from the signification of “washing,” as being a representative of purification from spiritual uncleanness (see n. 3147, 5954); and from the signification of “garments,” as being truths (n. 4545, 4763, 5248, 5319, 5954, 6914, 6918).