Star Wars' original Jedi-turned-Sith, Anakin Skywalker, proves himself strong with the Force at a very young age. His Jedi Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, trains the young podracer from Tatooine following Qui-Gon Jinn's demise at the climax of Star Wars Episode I - The Phantom Menace. Whilst Anakin's long flowy hair in Star Wars Episode III - Revenge Of The Sith appears to be a dramatic design choice leading to Anakin's turn to the Dark Side -- the hairdo actually has a more significant meaning that directly relates to the Jedi who first saw his potential as only a boy, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn.
In The Art of Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, there is a section where the concept artist of the movie, Ian McCaig, talks about the design choice for Anakin -- specifically his hair -- from conversations with the creator of the great Star Wars universe, George Lucas. McCaig explains: "George wanted Anakin to look more like Qui-Gon Jinn, to show that he was going beyond what Obi-Wan was teaching him — hence the long hair."
When first seen as a Jedi Padawan in Star Wars Episode II - Attack Of The Clones, Anakin sports the traditional Padawan braid -- much like Obi-Wan does in The Phantom Menace. Whilst Obi-Wan remains very close to the books as a Jedi Master, Padawan Anakin already shows his struggles with multiple aspects of the Jedi code of conduct. In the third installment of the Saga, Anakin has lost the braid for a dramatic flow that screams "rebellious child." Meanwhile, Obi-Wan remains neat and tidy in his hair cut choices -- almost symbolic to the separate Jedi and their individual feelings towards the Jedi code. Another thing to note from McCaig's comments is the symbolism of Anakin surpassing Obi-Wan's teaching. Anakin repeatedly makes comments about how Obi-Wan holds him back and how he is much stronger and more skilled with the Force than his Jedi Master.
The well-respected and wise Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn embodies the values of what makes a good Jedi. Surprisingly, he was never a member of the Jedi High Council. Qui-Gon was offered a seat on the Jedi Council but he rejected the offer to follow his own path. Obi-Wan's Jedi Master didn't always see eye-to-eye with the Jedi Council and even sometimes failed to adhere to the strict code. Instead, he practiced a philosophy that is centered around the Living Force. Qui-Gon was devoted to following the will of the Force even if his actions opposed those of the Jedi High Council.
Similar to Qui-Gon, Anakin has shown hesitations towards many aspects of the Jedi code. His strong emotions ultimately led him to join the Dark Side as Darth Vader. The comments by Ian McCaig make for an interesting addition to the exploration of Anakin Skywalker and make the gap even more obvious between him and Obi-Wan, in their individual beliefs of adhering to the Jedi code. Heavy discussions amongst the Star Wars community open up speculations of what the outcome would have been, had Qui-Gon lived to train Anakin as his Padawan.