Facial hair has long been associated with religions around the world. In many faiths, growing a beard or mustache carries deep spiritual symbolism and meaning. Religious injunctions regarding facial hair are complex and have changed over time, but several major world religions have strong connections to various facial hair styles.
Islam
In Islam, growing a beard is seen as a sign of piety and religious devotion. The Quran does not explicitly require men to grow beards, but many Islamic scholars argue that Muhammad encouraged facial hair as sunnah (a teaching and practice of the prophet). As a result, traditional Islamic culture strongly values beards as a symbol of masculinity and faith.
However, views on precise styles and length vary across sects and cultures. Very generally, traditional Sunni and Shia Muslims believe men should grow full beards. Sufi Muslims often grow long, full beards as an outward symbol of their mystical beliefs. In Central Asia, shorter, trimmed beards are more common. In recent decades, attitudes have relaxed somewhat, and clean-shaven or stubble looks are increasingly acceptable in modern, urban Muslim communities.
Key Facts
- Growing a beard is seen as honorable and religiously encouraged for Muslim men, following the example of the Prophet Muhammad.
- Full, long beards are common, especially among very devout Muslims.
- Exact beard length and styling differs across regions, cultures, and sects.
Sikhism
In Sikhism, uncut facial hair is mandatory for all baptized Sikh men, known as Khalsa Sikhs. Keeping unshorn hair (kesh) is one of the five articles of faith laid down by Sikh Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. The beard is an essential part of the Sikh identity.
Sikh men typically grow full, thick beards and mustaches, as cutting any bodily hair is forbidden. Turbans are also worn by Sikh men to protect and cover their long, uncut hair. Orthodox Sikh beliefs reject any cutting or trimming of facial hair. However, some modern Sikhs have adopted trimmed styles.
Key Facts
- Uncut facial hair is mandatory for baptized Sikh men as one of the five articles of faith.
- Full, thick, natural beards are part of the Sikh identity and a symbol of religious devotion.
- Cutting or trimming any facial hair is strictly forbidden in orthodox Sikhism.
Hinduism
In Hinduism, facial hair trends have varied significantly across history and regions. There are no absolute requirements for beards or mustaches in Hindu scriptures. However, many traditional Hindu men grow beards and associate facial hair with religious figures and gods, like Shiva.
In general, thick moustaches are encouraged as a sign of honor and respect in Hindu culture. Beards are less uniformly common, though they are prominent among sadhus (holy men) and pious Hindus, especially in rural areas. Most Hindu Indian men maintain some form of facial hair, ranging from light stubble to thick mustaches and beards.
Key Facts
- There are no religious beard requirements for Hindu men, though thick mustaches are culturally encouraged.
- Beards and mustaches have religious and honorable symbolism, associated with gods like Shiva.
- Many devout Hindu men, especially sadhus, grow full beards, while most Hindu men maintain some facial hair.
Christianity
Christianity has no clear doctrines regarding facial hair for its over 2 billion adherents worldwide. Social and cultural norms have largely shaped beard and mustache styles throughout history. At some points, beards were seen as symbols of piety, associated with figures like Jesus. Other periods viewed facial hair as a sign of anti-establishment rebellion.
In recent decades, clean-shaven or short stubble looks have dominated in many Christian majority countries. However, beards remain common and culturally acceptable for religious Christian men. Long beards are most common today among Christian Orthodox, Amish, monks and other visibly religious Christian men.
Key Facts
- The Bible contains no specific instructions about beards or mustaches for Christian men.
- Cultural trends, not religious doctrine, have shaped facial hair styles in Christian history.
- Full beards remain associated with visible piety and religious authority roles like monks.
Judaism
Historical Jewish texts contain various instructions around facial hair maintenance for men. Biblical passages prohibit trimming facial hair or disfiguring the edges of one’s beard. Growing peyot (sidelocks) is also specified in religious texts like the Talmud and Torah.
As a result, beards and sidelocks are core parts of Hasidic Jewish identity for men. However, attitudes toward facial hair vary across modern Jewish denominations. In Conservative and Reform Judaism, clean-shaven or well-groomed facial hair is commonly accepted today, though Orthodox and Hasidic traditions maintain strict facial hair customs.
Key Facts
- Growing untrimmed beards and peyot (sidelocks) is mandated in religious texts like the Torah.
- Full beards and sidelocks are required for Hasidic Jewish men but not other denominations.
- Modern Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform Jews often adopt trimmed beards or clean-shaven styles.
Buddhism
In Buddhist history, shaving one’s head and face was commonly practiced as a renunciation of materialism and sign of monastic asceticism. The clean-shaven head and face became strongly associated with Buddhist monks and nuns across traditions like Theravada and Mahayana.
Lay Buddhist men historically did grow short beards and mustaches in accordance with cultural norms. However, religious Buddhist imagery is overwhelmingly depicted as clean-shaven, and smooth faces remain the ideal for monks. In East Asia, monks typically meticulously shave their heads and faces. Facial hair is viewed as contradictory to a life of simplicity and non-attachment.
Key Facts
- Shaving the face and head reflects Buddhist monastic values of detachment and simplicity.
- Clean-shaven faces are part of the Buddhist monastic identity, especially for monks and nuns.
- Lay Buddhist men often maintain facial hair following cultural trends and norms.
Rastafari
For members of the Rastafari movement, growing dreadlocks and beards carries deep religious meaning. Rastafari teachings encourage dreadlocks as a sign of the Lion of Judah and rejection of Babylon’s/Western society’s artificial standards. Beards hold similar symbolism.
As a result, full beards have become an iconic marker of Rastafari identity for men. Rastafari men refrain from cutting or combing their chin-length beards. However, precise interpretations vary – some adhere strictly while others are more flexible, trimming for jobs or hygiene.
Key Facts
- Full, uncombed chin-length beards are part of the Rastafari look for men.
- Beards hold religious symbolism of rejecting artificial Western standards.
- Some Rastas maintain beards meticulously while others trim for jobs or hygiene.
Eastern Orthodox Church
Within Eastern Orthodox Christianity, beards hold an esteemed symbolic religious role for men. Church traditions stipulate that deacons, priests, bishops, and monks must grow beards to properly reflect spiritual maturity and authority.
Long, untrimmed beards are seen as representative of Christ’s teachings. Monastic Orthodox Christian men almost universally wear full beards and long hair. Lay members are encouraged but not required to grow beards. Shorter, neater styles have grown in popularity among modern lay Orthodox men.
Key Facts
- Full beards are required for Eastern Orthodox clergy and monastics.
- Long, uncut beards have deep spiritual meaning related to Jesus Christ.
- Well-trimmed shorter beards are increasingly common for lay Orthodox men.
Druze
The monotheistic Druze religion considers growing a beard obligatory for all adult men. According to prominent Druze figure Al-Muqtana, men should maintain beards to uphold societal values and project masculinity, wisdom, and self-respect. Mustaches are also encouraged but not required.
As a result, full thick beards are near-universal among devout Druze men, with trim styles disfavored. However, modern trends have led growing numbers of secular Druze to shave or trim beards. Still, religiously observant Druze men uphold the beard tradition.
Key Facts
- Growing full beards is considered mandatory for Druze men according to religious teachings.
- Well-groomed full beards are traditional and iconic of Druze masculine culture.
- An increasing minority now trim or shave, but most religious men retain full beards.
Mormonism (LDS)
Within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, growing facial hair is not doctrinally mandated. However, Mormon religious leaders beginning in the 1950s have encouraged clean-shaven faces for men. Church policy manuals formally prohibit beards for temple workers, missionaries, and students at church-owned schools.
As a result, clean-shaven or neatly groomed short beard styles prevail among modern Mormons. Longer, untrimmed beards remain rare. However, exact facial hair norms vary somewhat regionally and individually. Since 2012, neatly trimmed short beards have become more accepted.
Key Facts
- No formal doctrines require clean-shaven men, but LDS policy manuals prohibit beards for key religious roles.
- Clean-shaven or short stubble is the prevailing norm among modern Mormon men.
- Well-groomed, trimmed short beards have grown more common and accepted since 2012.
Amish
Amish men belonging to traditional Old Order Amish groups wear untrimmed beards following Biblical injunctions and separation from modern society. Mustaches are prohibited due to historical military associations. Hooks are formed to neatly tuck longer beards into clothing.
Amish boys begin growing beards after marriage, representing maturity and responsibility. Uncut beards and hooks are key symbols of Amish cultural identity and biblical manhood. However, attitudes differ across Amish affiliations. Some groups now allow neatly groomed short beards while clean-shaven faces remain taboo.
Key Facts
- Long untrimmed beards are mandatory for married men in Old Order Amish groups.
- Mustaches are forbidden, but beard hair can be hooked for manageability.
- More progressive Amish groups allow well-kept short beards but prohibit clean-shaven looks.
Conclusion
Beards, mustaches, and other forms of facial hair carry deep cultural and religious symbolism across faiths worldwide. While practices vary greatly, facial hair remains an important religious marker for men in traditions like Islam, Sikhism, Judaism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Druze, and Amish groups. More flexible attitudes prevail in religions like Christianity, Mormonism, Buddhism, and Hinduism. But religious culture and expectations continue shaping male grooming decisions for billions of adherents globally.
