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A Short History of Beard Styles

RELIGION

Beards have had many uses during the history of humans. Early humans used beards for
warmth and intimidation. In current times, theyhave been used to show masculinity,
royalty, fashion, and status.
Prehistoric men grew beards for warmth, intimidation and protection. Facial hair kept
prehistoric men warm and it also protected their mouths from sand, dirt, the sun and many
other di erent elements. A beard on a mans face creates the look of a stronger looking
jaw line; this exaggeration helped them appear more intimidating.
In 3000 BCE to 1580 BCE, Egyptians royalty used a false beard that was made of metal.
This false beard was held onto the face by a ribbon that was tied over their heads. This
practice was down by both kings and queens. Ancient Egyptians were also known to die
their chin beads with reddish brown to strong brown dyes.
Mesopotamian civilizations took great care of their beards. They would use products like
beard oilto keep their beards looking healthy. They would also fashion their beards using
ancient curling irons and make ringlets, frizzles, and tiered e ects. The Assyrians dyed

their beards black, and the Persians died theirs a orange-red color. During ancient times, in
Turkey and India, when someone had a long beard it was considered a symbol of wisdom
and dignity.
During ancient times, in Greece, beards were a sign of honor. Ancient Greeks commonly
curled their beards with tongs in order to create hanging curls. Their beards were cut only
as a punishment. Around 345 BCE Alexander the Great decreed that soldiers couldnt
have beards. He was afraid that opposing soldiers would grab on to the Grecians beards
and use it against them while in battle.
Ancient Romans preferred their beads to be trimmed and well groomed. A Roman by the
name of, Lucius Tarquinius Pricus, encouraged the use of razors in order to guide the city
to hygienic reform in 616-578 BCE. Although Pricus tried to encourage shaving, it still was
not generally accepted until 454 BCE. In 454 BCE, a group of Greek Sicilian barbers
traveled from Sicily unto main land Italy. They set up barber shops that were situated on
the mains streets of Rome. These barber shops were typically only used by people who
didnt own slaves, because if you owned a slave they would shave you instead. Eventually
shaving started to become the trend in ancient Rome, philosophers kept their beards
regardless of the trend.
Anglo-Saxons wore beards until the advent of Christianity in the 7th century. Once
Christianity came around the clergy were required by law to shave. English princes
sported mustaches until 1066-1087 CE when a law by William the First created a law that
required them to shave in order to t in with Norman fashions. Once the Crusades began
the return of beards also began. For four centuries all sorts of facial hair was allowed. It
was much like current times, where men could choose from beards, mustaches and clean
shaven faces. In 1535 beards became fashionable again and with it came all sorts of sorts
of styles and lengths. Anglo-Saxon men began to starch their beards in the 1560s.

In the early 1600s, a painter named Sir Anthony Vandyke began to paint many aristocrats
with pointed beards. This style of beard was called the Vandyke. The men used pomade
or wax to shape their beards, and they applied with tiny brushes and combs. The people
of this time invented di erent gadgets in order to keep mustaches and beards in shape
while they slept.
There have been many beard styles throughout the ages. A style made popular by
Abraham Lincoln, is called the chin curtain. This is when there is facial hair along the
jawline which is long enough to hang from the chin. American essayist, Henry David
Thoreau, had a style called the chinstrap beard. This style is achieved when sideburns are
connected to each other by a narrow hair line along the jaw. English heavy metal
musician, Lemmy Kilmister wore his facial hair in a style called, friendly muttonchops.
Friendly muttonchops are formed when muttonchops are connected by a mustache and
there is no chin hair. Another facial hair style is the goatee. The goatee is when only the
hair around the chin and mustache are left on the face. American professional wrestler,
Hulk Hogan, was famous for the style horseshoe mustache. This is a full mustache with
ends that extend down in parallel strait lines all the way down to the chin line.
Currently, about 33% of American males have facial hair of some kind, while 55% of males
worldwide have facial hair. Women found full bearded men to be only 2/3rd as attractive
as clean-shaven men.
ContemporaryBeard Products
Beard products have come a long way from their humble beginnings. In ancient Egypt
they used false beards, you can still purchase false beards. Unlike in ancient Egypt these
false beards are not made of gold.
Also, just like men from Mesopotamia used beard oil, you can purchase beard oil.

More Historical Fun Facts


Otto the Great, swore on his beard, as someone in current times would swear on their
mothers grave.
During the middle ages, if a man touched another mans beard it was o ensive and could
be grounds for a duel.
In the 16th century, men started experimenting with their beards and came up with trends
like the forked beard and even a style called the stiletto beard.

13

SEPTEMBER 1, 2015 BY HISTORY COOPERATIVE

WRITTEN BY HISTORY COOPERATIVE


The History Cooperative is a collective of history bu s, interested authors,
and dedicated technical sta who share a love for history. If you would love
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4 COMMENTS
HOLLY CHAVEZ

REPLY

December 19, 2015 at 2:33 am

My husband grew his beard out this winter. I wasnt too sure about it, but I
got him some beard oil and it looks a lot better. I ordered him some
natural unscented oil for his sensitive skin (Christmas present).

STEVEN

REPLY

January 9, 2016 at 2:34 am

Love this articlei must admit..i love having a beard and honestly it makes
me feel super masculine.

CHRIS CRAWFORD
September 19, 2016 at 2:32 am

Beards have a long and rich history. Thank you for posting.

REPLY

REPLY

ANDREW
September 19, 2016 at 2:35 am

I hope that beards are not just a trend and they continue to be a part of
society. Nice post

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