Board Thread:Naruto Discussions/@comment-26871907-20171229192159/@comment-734582-20180321122610

Jentaisenpai wrote: I mean Hiashi and Hizashi were twins and the younger one was braided with the curse mark. But Hinata and Hanabi are not twins, and Hanabi was not braided with the curse mark so...? My guess is that it's indeed the fact that they were twins. It could be that the claim to the Main branch is determined by age or birth, but that the close birth leaves no clear leader.

Alternatively, the feudal setting could imply feudal laws apply, which could mean that the Hyuga claim is divided among it's male heirs or in absence of male heirs, a suitable female heir is chosen.