How does one go about growing a beard? Why are beards looked down upon by facets of certain societies? Is there any religious significance to growing a beard?
For some cultures a beard is a sign of mourning. In others a beard is a shining example of marital status, sexual virility, wisdom or high status.
Unfortunately beards can also be considered double-edged swords. In contrast to their elevating social properties, they are often viewed as signifying a lack of cleanliness and refinement or as a sign of one’s eccentric disposition.
This is not to say that beards are bad and just shouldn’t be worn. Religion has historically leaned towards the pro-beard cause.
The ancient Greek gods sported whiskers. The Sikh consider beards to be integral parts of the body and soul of their growers and see them as symbols of nobility and the dignity of manhood.
Judaism supports the cultivation of facial hair. As it is stated in Leviticus 19:27, “Don’t cut the hair on the sides of your head or trim your beard.” The Zohar (a source for the Kabbalah) attributes holiness to beards.
Some Muslim men believe they too should be bearded because in Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 72, Hadith # 780, The Prophet said: “Do the opposite of what the pagans do. Keep the beards and cut the moustaches short.”
Modern American society, however, tends to hold a more disparaging view on beards. Many places have a strict dress code for their workers prohibiting facial hair. Some places deem beards as an unprofessional fashion. Other places, like certain military organizations, allow for facial hair only in certain circumstances. Examples of these circumstances are mostly religious.
Though anti-beard pressure runs rampant, there are still plenty of vocal fans of facial hair. The people at chucknorrisfacts.com celebrate one of the most famous beards in entertainment with “facts” such as “Chuck Norris does not have to answer the phone. His beard picks up the incoming electrical impulses and translates them into audible sound.”
Talk about dedication to facial hair.
Every two years there is a worldwide event known as the World Beard and Moustache Championships. Places where this event has been held before include Germany in 1990, 1995, 2001 and 2005, Norway in 1997, Sweden in 1999 and Carson City, Nevada in 2003.
More on the celebration of beards can be found at Web sites such as beard.org, which gives tips on how to grow and style a beard so that it suits the person wearing it.