The Website For Beard Lovers

He that hath a beard is more than a youth, and he that hath no beard is less than a man.

-William Shakespeare (1564-1616) British Poet and Playwright.

A bunch of hair found on the face of a man at around his chin, cheeks and throat except at the area above his lips is known as a beard. This beard’s appearance is also related to the puberty of a male. It develops when a boy enters his youth. The hair on the area above the upper lip and below the nose is known as moustache.

The biological science has revealed that a hormone named dihydrotestostorone is responsible for the growth of the beard. This hormone encourages the hair follicles growth on the face resulting to beard formation. Another interesting fact about it is that this hormone is originated from testosterone, whose level keep on changing in the body, thus resulting in the different pace of growth of the beard. This is the reason why beard grows faster in summers. However, genes are also responsible for the growth of the beard.

From ancient times, men have been peculiarly concerned and fascinated about their beard. History reveals that the male community, irrespective of their country and civilization, has always been fond of this god- gift to them. They have followed various patterns and styles to decorate this part of the face. The high profile Egyptians used to endorse hair on their chin and was fond of coloring it with the help of some dye or henna. Sometimes they would even get it plated using a gold thread in between. For them, the beard was so much a status symbol that even women used to wear a metal beard usually made of gold and was tied with the help of ribbon over their head. This was in trend since about 3000 years to 1580 BC.
The Sumarians, Babylonians, thaldeains, medians collectively known as Mesopotamians were very creative in beard designing. They loved to use tongs, curls and oil for nourishing this proud possession. The ringlet and the layered pattern were the most popular prototype among them. The people of Persia had a liking for longer beards.

In India, beard was associated with poise, and astuteness. It was treated as a pious possession of the men and its sanctity was so high that one could even take oath of his beard to prove his innocence. Moreover a punishment involving publicly shave-off of the beard was considered highly shameful. The beard was considered as an inseparable part of a saint.
The Greeks also had a similar feeling of the beard which they considered as a symbol of purity and holiness. Although Greek men were frequent in shaving-off their moustaches, but the beard was cut only when one had to be a part of some mourning.

However, Alexander believed that a beard can play a weak role during the fight. This prompted him to order his army men to shave it off. Thus the trend of clean shaved faces started from the Macedonian Kingdom. One can even see the photo print of their emperors with shaved-off faces. Though initially there was some resistance to this trend but gradually people started appreciating the smooth faces.
In Rome, it is considered that people were not even aware of shaving concepts until around 299 BC. Thereafter the trend of smooth faces gained up the momentum and almost the entire Roman men started shaved off their beard to get the new look. However, at a later time, men started experimenting with the style of their beard. It is interesting to know that in Rome, the day first event of shaving occurred it was celebrated like a carnival marking the start of adulthood. Here, unlike Greeks, one allowed his beard to grow normally during the time of grief or calamity.

During middle age, kings were supposed to be fond of their beard and used to consider it as a sign of their dignity and sovereignty. Later the taste for the beard kept on varying. While most of the European people were fond of clean shaved look in 15th century the 16th century saw a completely different trend where the length of the beard was something to watch for. The common size of this time was the forked beard, the stiletto beard, the Spanish spade and the English square cut.
Again in 17th century [people of Europe preferred living without beard. The practice of growing beard was prohibited to such an extent that the Russian King, Peter–the great, levied tax on keeping the beard. In the early 18th century also people generally liked their look without a beard but during 1850 the trend again started changing and the time came for the popularity of the beard. The fashion kept on changing and in the present time beard has become a style statement. Here, it is not the length but the design that matters. Many people like the “two day shadow effect” as well.

Though beard is just a small bunch of hair yet there are many styles one can flaunt with his beard. The styles often vary with age and craze. The different patterns commonly seen in this fashion are full beard, Sideburns, Chinstrap, Donegal, Garibaldi, Goatee, Hollywoodian, Royale, Stubble, Van Dyke, Verdi, Neard, Soul patch and Slashburns. All these designs distinguish themselves on the basis of area kept covered with the hair and the area shaved off. Normally professionals sport the style that best suits their business and youth prefer experimenting in accordance with the latest film stars, fashion tycoons or other style icons.

Whether we call it a trend from ancient times or a fashion for the modern age, the beard is here to stay. Men keep it and define their complete personality by matching their appearance with their beard style. Be it a common man or a celebrity, the beard fashion has fascinated every one from all the marks of society. The trends may vary, the styles my change but men have always adored and admired their beard the most!