Charles Darwin, Sigmund Freud, Abraham Lincoln. The thoughts conjured up are of great, influential men of their time. Men immortalised by their leadership, literature and forward thinking. But what else? Well, they were all beardies.
Moustaches and beards have been around, seemingly, forever, and for many it is more than just a fashion statement. Beards hold more significance as they are seen as an extension or even enhancement of the man's personality and characteristics. Michael Buchino, writer for internet forum Beard Revue says, 'the growing of a beard is the outward expression of man’s inner soul and the transformation is an opportunity for unfettered contemplation'
In days gone by, it was normal to have a beard, it was perceived that a beard wearer was of higher intellect and superior wisdom. 'He that hath a beard is more than a youth, and he that hath no beard is less than a man' said French author and filmmaker John Cocteau. It was thought that with a good beard came masculinity and a sign of power. But these beards were often rough and un-groomed. In today's fashion conscious world, beard styles have evolved from unkempt layers of hair to stylish and suave enhancers.
There are so many beard styles doing the rounds today, that it is impossible to not notice them, from the classy, neatly trimmed goatee to the groomed George Michael-esque designer stubble, to the full unkempt grizzled mountaineer beard, all these styles appealing to men of all ages across the world. A lot of women also like to see men with beards as they feel it enhances their masculinity, and makes them look more rugged. American comedienne Minnie Pearl said 'kissing a man with a beard is a lot like going to a picnic. You don't mind going through a little bush to get there'
For far too long the bearded men of this nation hid themselves away, becoming synonymous with the geeky and the studious. But, with the advent of celebrity culture, gone are the days when beards were associated with the tweed jacketed geography teacher, the techie boffin or the unkempt political protestor, they have now become a trendy fashion statement, worn by everyone from sharp suited businessmen, male fashion models and the Hollywood a-list.
Beards have been in and out of fashion for as long as there has been fashion. Over the course of history, men with facial hair have been labelled with various attributes, ranging from, wisdom and knowledge, sexual virility or high social status to filthiness or of being of an eccentric disposition, such as in the case of a bum, hobo or hippie.
Its history dates back to biblical times, with Sikhism, Judaism and Islam all considering the beard to be an integral part of the male body. Countless images of God's and deiti's throughout the world are portrayed with beards as part of their nobility and dignity. 'it's time I joined the ranks of great men with beards, just look at Jesus' said Family Guy's Peter Griffin.
The Ancient Egyptians grew hair on their chins which was often dyed and plaited with gold thread. In Asia, beards were admired and grown long as a symbol of wisdom. Then there were the Persians who greased and curled them. The Greeks were lovers of their beards too and thought that it was not only a sign of virility but also made the wearer look smart and Philosophical. The early Romans, however, considered it as a mark of slovenliness and squalor and not until the latter days of the empire was it seen otherwise.
Centuries then passed where the beard fell off the radar, before Henry VIII reinstated is as a fashion statement. William Shakespeare then wrote, at the height of his powers, in the play, Much Ado About Nothing 'He that hath a beard is more than a youth, and he that hath no beard is less than a man' And Ivan IV of Russia, or Ivan The Terrible as he was more famously known was said to be so fond of his, and the beard in general as a statement, that he is quoted as saying 'To shave the beard is a sin that the blood of all martyrs cannot cleanse. It is to deface the image of man created by God'
Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries the beard became relatively unknown among most parts of Western Europe and America, especially among the upper classes. Things stayed this way until the Victorians, lead by statesmen and cultural figures like Charles Dickens and Benjamin Disraeli, brought it back with a bang and grew theirs bigger and better as a sign of pride in the British Empire.
But it was in the 1960s and throughout the 1970s with the advent of television and popular music spreading across the world that the beard really came into its own. With the hippie movement springing out of the United States and musicians like The Beatles and The Beach Boys and acting stars such as Clint Eastwood and Sean Connery all adorning impressive facial hair, the beard saw itself presented to a global audience and its influence explode. And today, everywhere you look you see beards.
One only needs to look at popular culture and the trend of beards amongst celebrities to know the alluring effect that they have, they are part of society more than ever before. Stars such as George Clooney, Joaquin Phoenix and Jim Carrey have given over there rugged clean shaving appearances in favour of a beard. Brad Pitt was even quoted as saying, 'My beard is staying because it covers my bum shaped chin!'
Footballer David Beckham has swapped his boyish model looks for a face of hair. TV chefs The Hairy Bikers are forging a career out of their facial hair. Scores of fuzzy-faced men from across the globe descend on various locations throughout the world for annual Beard and Moustache Championships. Phil Olsen, the founder and self-appointed captain of Beard Team USA, states that it is 'his mission to make the United States a power in international beard and moustache competitions and to bring back the beauty of the beard'
In summary the beard has a bushy, thick and richly fascinating history, one that has spanned many centuries and many great men. Perhaps, though, if Francis Drake hadn’t singed the beard of the king of Spain, it may have been a different story.
Moustaches and beards have been around, seemingly, forever, and for many it is more than just a fashion statement. Beards hold more significance as they are seen as an extension or even enhancement of the man's personality and characteristics. Michael Buchino, writer for internet forum Beard Revue says, 'the growing of a beard is the outward expression of man’s inner soul and the transformation is an opportunity for unfettered contemplation'
In days gone by, it was normal to have a beard, it was perceived that a beard wearer was of higher intellect and superior wisdom. 'He that hath a beard is more than a youth, and he that hath no beard is less than a man' said French author and filmmaker John Cocteau. It was thought that with a good beard came masculinity and a sign of power. But these beards were often rough and un-groomed. In today's fashion conscious world, beard styles have evolved from unkempt layers of hair to stylish and suave enhancers.
There are so many beard styles doing the rounds today, that it is impossible to not notice them, from the classy, neatly trimmed goatee to the groomed George Michael-esque designer stubble, to the full unkempt grizzled mountaineer beard, all these styles appealing to men of all ages across the world. A lot of women also like to see men with beards as they feel it enhances their masculinity, and makes them look more rugged. American comedienne Minnie Pearl said 'kissing a man with a beard is a lot like going to a picnic. You don't mind going through a little bush to get there'
For far too long the bearded men of this nation hid themselves away, becoming synonymous with the geeky and the studious. But, with the advent of celebrity culture, gone are the days when beards were associated with the tweed jacketed geography teacher, the techie boffin or the unkempt political protestor, they have now become a trendy fashion statement, worn by everyone from sharp suited businessmen, male fashion models and the Hollywood a-list.
Beards have been in and out of fashion for as long as there has been fashion. Over the course of history, men with facial hair have been labelled with various attributes, ranging from, wisdom and knowledge, sexual virility or high social status to filthiness or of being of an eccentric disposition, such as in the case of a bum, hobo or hippie.
Its history dates back to biblical times, with Sikhism, Judaism and Islam all considering the beard to be an integral part of the male body. Countless images of God's and deiti's throughout the world are portrayed with beards as part of their nobility and dignity. 'it's time I joined the ranks of great men with beards, just look at Jesus' said Family Guy's Peter Griffin.
The Ancient Egyptians grew hair on their chins which was often dyed and plaited with gold thread. In Asia, beards were admired and grown long as a symbol of wisdom. Then there were the Persians who greased and curled them. The Greeks were lovers of their beards too and thought that it was not only a sign of virility but also made the wearer look smart and Philosophical. The early Romans, however, considered it as a mark of slovenliness and squalor and not until the latter days of the empire was it seen otherwise.
Centuries then passed where the beard fell off the radar, before Henry VIII reinstated is as a fashion statement. William Shakespeare then wrote, at the height of his powers, in the play, Much Ado About Nothing 'He that hath a beard is more than a youth, and he that hath no beard is less than a man' And Ivan IV of Russia, or Ivan The Terrible as he was more famously known was said to be so fond of his, and the beard in general as a statement, that he is quoted as saying 'To shave the beard is a sin that the blood of all martyrs cannot cleanse. It is to deface the image of man created by God'
Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries the beard became relatively unknown among most parts of Western Europe and America, especially among the upper classes. Things stayed this way until the Victorians, lead by statesmen and cultural figures like Charles Dickens and Benjamin Disraeli, brought it back with a bang and grew theirs bigger and better as a sign of pride in the British Empire.
But it was in the 1960s and throughout the 1970s with the advent of television and popular music spreading across the world that the beard really came into its own. With the hippie movement springing out of the United States and musicians like The Beatles and The Beach Boys and acting stars such as Clint Eastwood and Sean Connery all adorning impressive facial hair, the beard saw itself presented to a global audience and its influence explode. And today, everywhere you look you see beards.
One only needs to look at popular culture and the trend of beards amongst celebrities to know the alluring effect that they have, they are part of society more than ever before. Stars such as George Clooney, Joaquin Phoenix and Jim Carrey have given over there rugged clean shaving appearances in favour of a beard. Brad Pitt was even quoted as saying, 'My beard is staying because it covers my bum shaped chin!'
Footballer David Beckham has swapped his boyish model looks for a face of hair. TV chefs The Hairy Bikers are forging a career out of their facial hair. Scores of fuzzy-faced men from across the globe descend on various locations throughout the world for annual Beard and Moustache Championships. Phil Olsen, the founder and self-appointed captain of Beard Team USA, states that it is 'his mission to make the United States a power in international beard and moustache competitions and to bring back the beauty of the beard'
In summary the beard has a bushy, thick and richly fascinating history, one that has spanned many centuries and many great men. Perhaps, though, if Francis Drake hadn’t singed the beard of the king of Spain, it may have been a different story.
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