Why does Gimli ask for Galadriel's hair?

Question

While leaving Lothlórien in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, everyone was given some gift by Galadriel, like Sam got elvish rope. Everyone has taken something which is useful for them.

Why does Gimli ask for Galadriel's hair? Does it have some deeper meaning or some mystical property?

Answer 1

Wikipedia

Historically, giving a lock of ones hair to someone has been considered a sign of love and devotion, especially before an impending separation. It is still a popular trope in fiction, particularly the romance genre.

In this case, Gimli is quite enraptured with Galadriel's beauty....he's never seen anything or anyone quite so beautiful...including the traditional precious metals and jewels Dwarves are renowned for coveting.

He originally asks for nothing in both the book and the script

"Nothing. Except to look upon the lady of the Galadhrim one last time for she is more fair than all the jewels beneath the earth."

But then asks something he thinks is impossible...

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He continues to Legolas as they leave.

GIMLI: "I have taken my worst wound at this parting having looked my last upon that which is fairest. Henceforth I will call nothing fair unless it be her gift to me."

LEGOLAS: "What was it?"

GIMLI : "I asked her for one hair from her golden head. She gave me three."

The fact that Gimli asks for nothing "useful" or precious in the traditional sense makes the asking all the more romantic especially as dwarves were known as only interested in digging for precious items in Middle Earth.

Gimli is unusual, one might think, in this respect. Indeed, the book makes the point of mentioning (from Galadriel) that gold would not control him, even if he gets a great deal of it.

Then the Lady unbraided one of her long tresses, and cut off three golden hairs, and laid them in Gimli’s hand. ‘These words shall go with the gift,’ she said. ‘I do not foretell, for all foretelling is now vain: on the one hand lies darkness, and on the other only hope. But if hope should not fail, then I say to you, Gimli son of Glóin, that your hands shall flow with gold, and yet over you gold shall have no dominion.

^{Farewell to Lorien - Fellowship of the Ring - J.R,R. Tolkien}

Answer 2

Two Reasons:

1. Diplomacy: Initially Gimli assumed Galadriel a witch and assumed bad omens among all elven kin. This Racism has been back and forth for centuries; with Elves who look down on Dwarves for they are not original creations of Illuvatar. dwarves; for they view elves as spoiled, vain an vapish. To aid in gesture of good will, to have something so personal given to a dwarf; Which Gimli promised to set in crystal as a preserved token of good esteem.
2. Spite (Albeit not Gimli's knowledge): Millennia ago during the Years of the Trees, As Galadriel was born in Valinor, as she matured she grew to encapsulate a living form of the Simarils (Which Feanor created) she was indeed endowed with Great power in her creation. In reality, Feanor was an A-hole for much of his deeds left dark shadows which Galdriel found despicable. . Intentions or mood otherwise. Frustrated, Feanor is inspired to make the Silmarils that will also capture the light of the trees of Valinor (as Galadriel's hair was poetically said to do). Three separates time Feanor asked for a strand of Galadriel's hair, and three times she refused because she could see the pride and darkness in him. To quote: "For none have ever made to me a request so bold and yet so courteous" It is the difference in the manner Gimli asks for the hair out of humility; Feanor asked out of comparison to his creations. Galadriel gave to him what she wouldn't give to the mightiest of all elves that ever existed. The three hairs are a "Middle Finger" to Feanor from beyond the Grave.