What does a beard mean for men? Psychology. Why do men wear beards? Voice is also important

Illustration copyright Getty Image caption Thin beard - why is it there?

It may seem that facial hair serves men solely to find a girlfriend. But as Tamsin Saxton discovered, it may not be that simple.

What is the meaning of a beard from an evolutionary point of view? Women, children and great amount men get along just fine without her.

However, today on the street you can meet people whose faces are covered with hair of all shapes and sizes, well-groomed and not so well-groomed - from stylish stubble to pomaded mustaches and hipster beards.

When a man cares about his appearance, the easiest way to assume is that he is looking for his soul mate.

• Why do we need a chin?
• Why do we need lips
• Why evolution spared us facial hair

But, judging by the results of our research, hairline on the face was probably formed during evolution partly to help men strengthen their position among other members of their sex.

Compared to the males and females of many other primates, men and women tend to look very different from each other - partly due to the facial hair of the stronger sex.

At the same time, external differences between males and females often come down to features formed by evolutionary means through the process of sexual selection - such features increased the chances of mating.

Illustration copyright Getty Image caption A beard does not necessarily attract the fair sex

It's interesting to note that women don't seem to be that interested in men with beards.

And although some studies have shown that women actually like moderate or even heavy hair on men's faces, other studies have shown that women prefer clean-shaven men.

We have no evidence to suggest that men evolved beards specifically to attract women.

This led researchers to the idea that in this case we are dealing with the second type of sexual selection.

In order to have offspring, it is often not enough just to be attractive. You have to fight for sexual partners with other members of the same sex.

An eccentric, timid guy who clings to the wall will not withstand competition from his more relaxed brothers. Scientists have found confirmation that men have beards for this very purpose.

Beards and mustaches came into fashion in those days when a large number of men were forced to compete for the favor of fewer women

A man's ability to grow a full beard is not related to testosterone levels.

Despite this, as a number of studies have shown, representatives of both sexes perceive bearded men as more mature, strong and aggressive compared to those without beards.

But a dominant male can get a better chance of mating by intimidating his rivals. This has been the case throughout human history, and this statement is still true today.

Men with the ability to dominate find it much easier to find sexual partners: according to genetic research, about 8% of the modern male population of Asia are descendants of Genghis Khan and his relatives.

According to a study conducted by scientist Nigel Barber, the fashion for beards and mustaches in Great Britain varied between 1842 and 1971 depending on the ratio of single men to unmarried women.

As it turns out, beards and mustaches came into fashion at a time when large numbers of men were forced to compete for the favor of fewer women.

Illustration copyright Getty Image caption The bearded conqueror Genghis Khan conquered a large part of Asia - as if to confirm the thesis about the success of bearded men

A beard is not the only sign of a dominant male; the voice can also indicate this.

To trace the evolutionary path of beards and voices, we decided to find out whether they are considered an indicator of attractiveness, influence - or both.

We asked 20 men and 20 women to rate the influence and attractiveness of six men, each of whom appeared in four videos on different stages facial hair growth.

In addition, using computer technology, we created four versions of each video, changing the sound of the same men's voices to a higher and lower register.

The presence of a beard did not affect the rating of the attractiveness of a man in general, but those whose faces were decorated with abundant hair seemed more influential

However, a man's influence was rated higher, the lower his voice sounded.

Having a beard was not consistently significant in rating a man's attractiveness, but those with more facial hair appeared more powerful, consistent with previous research.

The internal conflict between the desire to attract a member of the opposite sex and the need to compete with others is reflected not only in the beard and voice.

Illustration copyright Getty Image caption The ability to grow a beard is not necessarily related to testosterone levels

The average man believes that his body should be more muscular than the one that surveys show women like.

And women, as a rule, exaggerate the attractiveness of thinness and bright makeup for the opposite sex.

We don't always know exactly what attracts the opposite sex, but perhaps this is partly due to the fact that instinct tells us not only to attract a partner, but also to outdo our rivals in everything.

Of course, most of these studies were conducted among Western populations. Makeup use, average body type, and even the ability to grow a beard vary widely around the world, meaning results could be different in other regions.

The point is that often differences in appearance- be it facial hair or anything else - are determined precisely by our need to compete with others.

But you still can’t please everyone right away...

• Read on English language possible on the website
• This article by Tamsin Saxton was originally published

We associate the image of a modern successful businessman or politician not only with an Armani suit, a Cartier watch or Lalique cufflinks, but also with a perfectly shaved face. People who are not at all bound by a strict style can afford to grow a beard. Meanwhile, a few centuries ago it was the beard that served as a measure of strength, intelligence and other manhood. It's not in vain folk wisdom and the writers exploiting it to the fullest contained the power of magicians and wizards not just anywhere, but in the beard. Let us recall, for example, Chernomor, Bluebeard or Old Man Hottabych. What happened?

An excursion into anatomy

Let us first turn to the subject of beards, which at first glance is in no way connected. Many psychologists and sociologists are concerned with the question: why in different parts of the planet not spoiled by civilization, where people walk naked in winter and summer, men in mandatory cover their reproductive organ?

As a result of observations of great apes, the following hypothesis was born. The phallus is hidden in order to... maintain peace and order in the tribe. The fact is that in higher primates this organ serves not only for procreation and natural needs, but also to determine social status.

Similar behavioral reflexes have been preserved in humans. Just what should a leader do if it suddenly “doesn’t work out” for him? Such a physiological problem will inevitably lead to the loss of “the position held.” Or another situation: an erection occurs in a young warrior who has no idea of ​​fighting for championship. But the penis, unlike the tongue, cannot lie. You can't order him. All that remains is to hide it so that it does not show itself and does not interfere with the established routine of life. And among some tribes in New Guinea, the length of the sheath worn over the reproductive organ is still directly proportional to social status.

Hormones and historical facts

The beard, unlike the penis, is a secondary sexual characteristic. But it is directly related to the potency of its owner. After all, facial hair is special. They grow more magnificently, the higher the level of male sex hormones in the body. This is how they differ from those on the top of the head, which, due to an excess of male sex hormones, begin to wither and fall out. Doctors even have special term: « androgenetic alopecia" So it’s not for nothing that at all times the beard was treated with special reverence: after all, it served as a “mirror” male power its owner. And although not as obvious as the phallus, it also indicated “who is in charge here.” IN ancient Egypt an artificial long beard was an indispensable attribute of supreme power. Even female pharaohs wore it (direct analogy with the above-mentioned covers).

By the way, contrary to popular belief, they began to shave beards in Russia long before Peter I. Only men, let’s say, of a special nature did it: those who loved to tint their lips and dress up in women’s dresses. It is now clear why the boyars resisted Peter’s innovation so much.

Official version mass failure from the beard is like that. In the middle of the 17th century, 15-year-old Louis XIV ascended the throne. The young king's beard had not yet grown. Imitating him, the courtiers began to shave. And then the custom spread to other European countries.

However, perhaps this was not entirely the case. What if the royal servants said goodbye to beards, not paying tribute to fashion, but simply showing understandable delicacy towards the young monarch? Well, it is indecent to wear a symbol of masculinity if a senior in rank does not have one.

Today, a beard is seen as a kind of atavism. They say, yes, it was a useful thing when you needed to hide your face from frost or hot wind and sand. However, in civilized times, a person depends little on nature, and therefore the need for a beard has disappeared. Let me, let me! If a beard were only “clothing for the face,” then nature would reward women with it too. And so it turned out to be a male (albeit secondary) sexual characteristic.

Beard these days

Of course, one can see purely hygienic reasons for refusing facial hair. But one Canadian recently conducted such an experiment: for six months he shaved only half of his face. After which he noted with satisfaction that the half covered with vegetation felt much more comfortable when shaved. Today, the beard has been preserved only as a sign of belonging to one or another social group. Can you imagine a sea captain without a beard? And the priest or the sexton? By the way, the former were always depicted in pictures with thick beards, and the latter with somewhat sparse and unimpressive ones. And this is no wonder. After all, a clerk is a clergyman who, for some reason, turned out to be untenable and unworthy of ordination.

After all, shaving is the great equalizer. WITH smooth face Absolutely everyone can walk. But growing a beard of a certain shape, if nature does not allow it, is much more difficult.

By the way, it is a fact proven by psychologists: in a crowd of men, women first of all single out those with beards. And there is no need to listen to idle speculation that the beard is supposedly itchy and that kissing its bearer is unpleasant. This is completely untrue. Well, judge for yourself: how can they long hair sting more than, say, three-hour stubble? Where the hair simply tickles, barely noticeable “stumps” leave scratches. A various kinds A beard generally adds an incomparable flavor to erotic caresses. Any woman will appreciate it if she can relax and put aside prejudices.

Those who think that having a beard eliminates the need for shaving and facial care in general are mistaken. Unless a man decided to become overgrown, like a goblin, and settle somewhere in the forest. In all other cases, maintaining appearance requires a whole arsenal of care products. These include a variety of razors, combs, foams and gels.

The outline of the beard and mustache, in accordance with the shape chosen by their owner, must be constantly maintained, otherwise the hairs that have sprouted next to it will give a sloppy appearance to an important attribute male beauty. It is believed that a more or less clean outline of the contours of a beard or mustache is possible using electric shavers with vibrating knives. You need to be careful not to let your hand tremble and shave a gap in your beard.

For fans of popular last years You can’t do without an electric razor for a three-day beard, since only with its ability to ensure an even length of hairs can you achieve the desired shape.

Those who are accustomed to “wet” shaving with foam or gel need special skill when using a safety blade, since, although there is no danger of a cut, there is still a danger of violating the specified area.

Of course, maintaining a beard is more difficult than just shaving every day. But believe me, it's worth it.

Warning: all of the above is only true for Europeans. Mongoloids and Negroids (as well as their descendants) have a sparse beard genetically.

Although the Chinese have a beard, they in the rarest cases reaches the abundance of Karl Marx and the Russian boyars. Moreover, according to theory Chinese medicine It is believed that thick beard- a sign of good functioning of the gallbladder, and the hieroglyph denoting this very organ is also “courage”... That is, there is a direct associative cultural connection between “beard” and “courage”. That is why in the images of ancient military heroes you can always see them bearded, especially personalities who passed into myth, for example, Guan Di or Guan Yu.

Source: http://www.diva.by/beauty/face/homecare/46864.html

In the Middle Ages, a man without a beard or with a thin goatee was generally perceived as weak, unmanly and sterile; beardlessness was not unconditionally despised: it still retained some of its original associations with both divinity and sadness and repentance. Neither the angels nor Adam had a beard before the Fall; The first people also appeared beardless in medieval folklore. Sometimes beardlessness was perceived as a result of asceticism, and in the 18th century. It was believed that shaved priests resembled both angels in their divinity and boys in their innocence and humility. Nevertheless, the ability to grow a beard was generally considered essential for a man, and even in times when beards were not commonly worn, there was a tendency to regard a clean-shaven face as a sign of femininity and to seek some special justification for those sections of the male population who shaved regularly, e.g. for monks and clergy.

Just like in ancient times, in the Middle Ages, beards were considered a sign of strength and energy- both physical and moral. In his Enarrationes in Psalmos, Augustine wrote that “a strong man is marked by a beard; the presence of a beard implies a young, energetic, active, quick person. When we refer to such people, we say that they are bearded.” In his commentary on the book of Ezra, Bede writes that “a beard, as a meta of masculinity and maturity, is usually perceived as a sign of dignity.” On the contrary, shaving meant a renunciation of strength and independence (as in traditional societies), it implied submission, obedience, as well as sexual renunciation. This was sometimes looked upon favorably, sometimes unfavorably; accordingly, shaving could sometimes symbolize weakness and unmanly non-resistance to vice, at least in a figurative sense. It is not surprising that Elred of Rievos spoke in his sermons about the beard as a sign and the beginning of manhood.

Besides, beards have always been a sign of seniority, both literally and figuratively. Uncut and shorn hair - on the head and on the cheeks - played the role of symbols of the Old and New Testaments of law and grace, respectively. So Ezekiel, before and after he shaved his beard “at the command of God,” represented the old and new justice, respectively; in a similar way, Burchard of Bellevaux contrasted novices and monks among the Cistercians. According to the "Life of Theodore of Edessa" (10th century), teeth appear at the beginning of life, a beard - at its apogee, and gray hair - in old age. According to Alain of Lille, the four main ages of a man were distinguished accordingly: the first down on the cheeks; more dense growth; luxurious fleece and, finally, such a powerful beard that she can no longer do without a razor... A beard distinguishes a boy from a man. William the Conqueror complained that he had to defend Normandy while still “being completely beardless,” i.e. when he was still a boy.

The beard was also a sign of dignity, a symbol of freedom and honor. Cutting off or tearing out a beard - unless, of course, it was part of a generally accepted ritual - was considered a grave insult. Beards were the object of special protection already in ancient German law. Thus, in England during the Anglo-Saxon era, anyone who cut off a person’s beard had to, according to the laws of Alfred, pay a wergeld of 20 shillings, and according to the terms of the “Land Peace” of Frederick Barbarossa (1152), it was strictly forbidden to grab a person’s beard or tear it out. Not even a hair. The "Acts" of the Count of Barcelona open with the story of how the first count killed a man who pulled his beard. Godfried of Viterbo has a description of how angry Otto I was with a knight who dared to touch his beard “without a razor” and pulled out several hairs from it.

The beards of the vanquished were collected as a sign of victories and superiority, as reported in the Scandinavian sagas, as well as the legends of the Arthurian cycle. In the saga of Orvar-Odd, the kings of the eastern Baltic had to send Ogmund their beards and mustaches annually, and his own beard, “with the skin underneath, right down to the flesh,” was torn off by Odd. The giant Reto in Geoffrey of Monmug's Historia regum Britanniae had a cloak woven from the beards of the kings he killed. The giant ordered Arthur to send his beard to this cloak, but Arthur killed him and took possession of both his beard and cloak.

Forced shaving of the beard and head was a serious punishment and was used against rioters. A number of authors explain the name of Golgotha ​​- Kalvaria ("Bald Mountain") by the fact that before the crucifixion, Christ was tonsured. In 546, Sandragisil was scourged and shaved - “so great were his crimes,” Mummolus’ hair and beard were torn out before his execution in 585; during the triumphant entry of King Wamba into Toledo in 673, his opponents were led “with their heads shaved off, their beards shaved and barefoot.” Even at the end of the 11th century. The rebel Gossuin of Oisy-le-Verger had his beard cut off as a sign of shame before he was released by Count Baldwin of Genetau (Hainault). In eastern Europe, forced shaving was used as a punishment for both minor and serious crimes. Emperor Theophilus in the 11th century. punished the quaestor who failed in his duties by cutting off his beard and setting it on fire.

Wearing a beard is back in fashion. If for some today a man's beard is just a fashion trend, then in ancient times it was considered a symbol of status, wealth and strong character.

IN ancient Rus' a man without a beard was not considered a man. No contracts or agreements were concluded with the beardless man, they did not trust him, they did not take him for granted. Good work. All because a man without a beard was considered sexist, and therefore frivolous and weak. What is the meaning of a beard and why should you wear it?

The meaning of the word "beard"

Beard means "The Wealth of the Family". In Rus' it was believed that the longer and thicker the beard, the healthier, stronger and richer the family and the entire clan of a man. Also, good hair on the chin symbolized a close connection in the family between generations, protection and healthy numerous offspring.

Beard is a sign of courage and strength

Previously, men without a beard were not accepted into the army. As soon as the young man’s hair grew back, he was accepted into military units with open arms! It is impossible to say for sure whether a beard really gives a man courage and strength. Most likely, the power of self-hypnosis was simply at work here. After all, we are a reflection of our thoughts, principles and beliefs. On the other hand, if you look at a man with a beard, he seems a hundred times more serious, stronger and more dangerous than the one with a clean-shaven chin.

A man's intuition lies in the beard

It is believed that intuition is purely female feature. Most likely, they began to think this way after Peter the Great ordered the boyars to shave their beards and facial hair was no longer mandatory. The hair on the human body is a kind of antenna that transmits energy and information from space to activate intuition. The hair on the head serves as such an antenna for women, and the hair on the face for men.

The longer the beard, the happier the wife

A beard is a symbol of power, recognition, respect, status, and also a sign of good potency. The girls' parents tried to marry a man with a beard. The longer the husband's beard, the happier and stronger the marriage will be.

The beard is a symbol of belonging to the Divine Family

A man with a beard emphasizes that God created him in his own image, which means that facial hair is an important part of his image. In this regard, the beard was considered a kind of amulet. In ancient times, the beard was forcibly cut off for those who committed a crime or bad deed. By depriving a man of his beard, he was deprived of the protection of higher powers.

In conclusion one more powerful argument in favor of a beard - all the great minds of the world wore it! Among the bearded men known throughout the planet there are great artists, talented writers and brilliant scientists. Is it really a coincidence?

Hello, friends!

My name is Artyom Pavlov. I lead a group of psychologists who analyze behavior. Today we will tell you about the psychology of the beard. Why do men wear beards? Why are beards so different? And what does this or that beard shape mean?

First, let's figure out what a beard is from the point of view of perception, from the point of view of understanding oneself?

Men grow facial hair for a reason. In a sense, hair psychologically represents a certain strength, primarily volitional qualities, vital energy, if you like. Exclusive masculinity, something that women are deprived of, unless of course we take Tolkien’s characters.

Facial beard, facial hair are enhancers. What amplifiers? - you ask. I will answer you - if the various elements of the face, and this basic postulate physiognomy associated with certain areas of the cerebral cortex, they reflect the development of various personality traits.

Accordingly, facial hair: mustache, beard or other elements enhance those features that reflect certain facial features. When a person wants to strengthen his personal quality, he grows a beard. It's like one of the defense mechanisms.

Your humble servant also has a mustache and beard. They appeared for a reason, but at a certain stage of life. And I reflected very well what life events I was encouraged to grow a beard and mustache.

Several historical and psychological examples.

Vladimir Lenin, everyone knows him and everyone imagines Lenin’s beard perfectly. The beard is a wedge. Trotsky had a similar beard, in a sense, their reflection is the same.

This is a “verbal” chin enhancer. The chin itself is a reflection not so much of the striking qualities of the jaw, but rather a characteristic of the ability to persuade. People with a pronounced chin tucked forward, it is clearly visible in profile, are excellent speakers.

When a person’s way of getting what he wants in life or his main activity is persuasion and negotiation, intuitively there is a desire to strengthen these abilities.

The excellent oratorical capabilities of both Lenin and Trotsky are enhanced precisely by the beard. They wanted to speak better, to convince more. These are people who are primarily inclined to fight verbally, and in this situation they intuitively wanted to grow a beard of the appropriate format.

And here is another interesting character, but of our time - Eduard Limonov. Look, doesn’t it remind you of anything? A beard with a wedge - straightforwardness, striking qualities, attempts to put pressure and strengthen one’s oratorical abilities. If you observe such a person, then rest assured that he will be strong in an argument.

Next example. Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, the man who led the United States through the Civil War of 1861-1865. A guy from a poor family, he worked and worked hard. “He made himself,” as observers like to say now.

In 1860, during his inauguration for his first presidential term, he had no beard or mustache. He has a good strong-willed jaw and he, in principle, achieved what he wanted, without additional extra effort. We tell you that a beard is some kind of extra effort. So what happened?

1860 - no beard, no mustache, inauguration, became president.

1861 - begins Civil War, Southerners attack the North, a bloody, very difficult confrontation within the American people.

In photographs from 1862, Lincoln has a fully grown beard along with sideburns. What did you strengthen? First of all, a strong-willed nodule, it strengthened strong-willed qualities. This is a muscle masseter.

On this site there is a description of what a volitional nodule is and how it is related to volitional qualities, this is one of the very interesting examples, remnants of our animal past, when we held and grabbed prey. It was then that our strong-willed nodules developed.

People who are used to overcoming life difficulties, their strong-willed nodules are well developed. Lincoln develops and further strengthens these elements because he needs to lead the country through the Civil War.

The situation at the front was very difficult, because at first the Southerners were actively winning and somewhere in 1863 the Northerners were almost on the verge of defeat.

1864, Lincoln loses part of his beard on his strong-willed nodules, only his middle part, but still quite high. Everything was fine with his strong-willed qualities, but his intuitive desire to strengthen even more, it does not leave him, but it has already become a little easier.

In 1864, almost most of the beard was gone, and in 1865 last photo 2 months before the murder, his strong-willed nodules were shaved smooth. In fact, only part of the beard remains, which fixes and enhances the qualities of active actions.

The beard on the chin forms a visual platform for the jaw. This is the beard of an active person who goes forward and pushes his desires and plans in all directions. As the massacre ended, Lincoln calmed down and removed part of his beard, which was no longer of use to him. This is such an interesting phenomenon.

In conclusion, another Soviet-Russian example is Boris Borisovich Grebenshchikov.

I love his work, I have been following him for many years, the man is in constant search.

Initially, Grebenshchikov had pronounced leadership qualities did not have. If you look at his young photographs. Yes, he is a creator, an extraordinary personality, a wonderful person, a musician, and kind. He was friends with Tsoi, a “dove of peace”, in a sense. They were romantic and delicate.

Look how many lineups have changed at Aquarium, a huge number.

Grebenshchikov is a person who constantly experiments with everything around him: with his music, personality and of course with his appearance.

He is actively studying eastern philosophy, then goes to Japan, then to America, constantly conducts experiments with himself and, in the process of experimenting with himself and developing his personality, strengthens certain elements of himself. Either he grows a beard on his verbal chin, or sideburns. Then he makes himself a large, thick beard - this is fundamentality, thoroughness, “a peasant’s beard.”

The last point that I would like to voice is probably more historical and political. Today, many men grow beards without understanding why they do it. In fact, for many, life is not as simple as they want to make it out to be.

A man is the foundation of a family, it is a kind of core that should hold this family together. A man has no right to cry, a man has no right to give in, because behind him are women, children, those who trust him, those who respect him.

A man who grows a beard is a man who wants to be stronger. You can tell a lot about a beard. In fact, this is a very good long story about the awareness of being.

Study physiognomy and live in the real world!

Psychologist-physiognomist Artyom Pavlov.