Hinduism

The ancient text followed regarding beards depends on the Deva and other teachings, varying according to whom the devotee worships or follows. 

Many Sadhus, Yogis, or Yoga practitioners keep beards, and represent all situations of life. 

Shaivite ascetics generally have beards, as they are not permitted to own anything, which would include a razor. The beard is also a sign of a nomadic and ascetic lifestyle.

Vaishnava men, typically of the ISKCON sect, are encouraged to be clean-shaven as a sign of cleanliness.

Sikhism

Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, ordained and established the keeping of unshorn hair as part of the identity and one of the insignia of Sikhs. 

Sikhs consider the beard to be part of the nobility and dignity of their manhood. Sikhs also refrain from cutting their hair and beards out of respect for the God-given form. 

 Kesh, uncut hair, is one of the Five Ks, five compulsory articles of faith for a baptized Sikh. As such, a Sikh man is easily identified by his turban and uncut beard.

Shetlanders

The Shetland Islands have a good and long tradition of bearded men (and for good reason!). What better insulation against the cold than naturally grown hair?

This man from Foula, Shetland, photographed in 1902 is thought to be Magnus Manson who was the former skipper of the mailboat.

Mr Manson has a full beard and moustache. On islands, as in many rural areas of Scotland, there were no barbers. Haircutting and beard trimming took place at home. Also, in rural areas, people were not so influenced by fashion. Around 1902, fashionable men in towns did not have facial hair. Mr Manson wears a striped cotton shirt with a 'grandad' collar and braces.

John Peterson of Foula, Shetland in 1902

John Peterson has a full beard and moustache. He wears his hair with a long fringe swept to the right. He is wearing a finely patterned hand-knitted jersey. He also wears a cotton jacket which would have been bought.

Pilots

True, there are not many bearded pilots, but it is a myth that there are none - or couldn't be. The reasoning is the fitting of an oxygen mask, but personally, I think it has more to do with image and the wrong perception of trustworthiness.

As demonstrated by these pilots here. They are need and tidy, I have to admit...

Easyriders

Easyriders is an American motorcycle magazine, founded in 1971. It is published monthly by Paisano Publications, LLC.

In addition to its coverage of motorcycles (particularly Harley-Davidsons) and related activities, Easyriders is also known for it's pictures of semi-nude or topless women (more accurately: women lifting up their T-shirt), paintings by David Mann who was a California graphic artist whose paintings celebrated biker culture and bearded bikers.

The Audit Bureau of Circulation reported that Easyriders had an average paid and verified circulation of 123,587 for the six-month period ending December 31, 2007.

Statue of Liberty

Gay Beards

Over the last two weeks, I've read articles on the extreme violence against homosexuals in Iraq, 

new anti-gay legislation in Putin's Russia, 

the impossible situation for gay's in Syria,

the debate on whether 'Different' a Christian provider that "cures", later changed into "assisting with" homosexuality in the Netherlands and 

also from the once progressive, liberal Netherlands, the news that compulsory education on homosexuality at schools has been delayed by a year. 

I am again and again stunned by how people can be bothered by other people having a different sexual preference. Good reason to celebrate some gay beard growing!

Kiss

A kiss is the act of pressing one's lips against the lips or other body parts of another person or of an object.

Smooth on Beard

Cultural connotations of kissing vary widely. Depending on the culture and context, a kiss can express sentiments of love, passion, affection, respect, greeting, friendship and good luck, among many others. In some situations a kiss is a ritual, formal or symbolic gesture indicating devotion, respect or greeting, as in the case of spouses kissing at the conclusion of a wedding ceremony or national leaders kissing each other in greeting, and in many other situations.

Beard on Beard

Depending on the culture, relationship and context, a person may kiss another on their lips, cheek, head, hand and each of these gestures may carry a different social significance.

Snake on Beard

The word came from Old English cyssan (“to kiss”), in turn from coss (“a kiss”).

Snake President on Beard

Down here in Anglo-Saxon New Zealand, people hardly kiss. They shake hands (hardly) hug (sometimes) or just say 'Hi' or 'See ya' (mostly). It has taken me years to get used to it...

Horse on Beard

Trustworthiness of Beards - 2

One way of proving your trustworthiness is by earning it the old-fashioned way. The other way, apparently, is by simply growing abeard.

The Chronicle of Higher Education reports on a study in the Journal of Marketing Communications, which found that among bearded and clean-shaven men, the bearded men were generally deemed more credible.

The study showed participants pictures of men endorsing certain products. In some photos, the men were clean-shaven. In others, the same men had beards. Participants thought the men with beards had greater expertise and were significantly more trustworthy when they were endorsing products like cell phones and toothpaste.

As the Chronicle rightly made mention: The study looked only at neatly trimmed beards of medium-length.

Might this have implications for say, the recent graduate, new to the job market, or the academic, still hopeful for a tenure track position?

Furthermore, if men can grow facial hair and are considered more credible because of it, what's the female equivalent? Or dare I even ask?

Thanks, Amanda

Trustworthiness of Beards

Maybe not 100% scientific, alright, but I do feel reassured with my philosophers beard.
Read an interesting interview with it's creator, Matt McInerney, in the LA Times.

Half Naked Santa Run

Yes, these photographs come from the "Half Naked Santa Run", held in December in Budapest. Nice idea, but first of all: I wouldn't call these folks half-naked. A bit under-dressed maybe, especially for a wintry Hungary, but half naked...

The worst thing though, is the practically 100% absence of beards! What is Santa without a beard, a real beard? Eh?

Beards on Film

Beards on film - find them all!

Rasputin

Rasputin varies being opponent and friend of Corto Maltese in Hugo Pratt's fantastic series of Corto Maltese graphic novels. 

Corto Maltese, a cult favorite in one of the best European graphic novels, is a veritable legend in twentieth century literature. He's a traveler – a sailor who combines Mediterranean looks with Anglo-Saxon culture. Corto, meaning “quick” in Spanish, was created in 1967 by Hugo Pratt, a native of Venice.Corto is an anti-hero who prefers his
freedom and imagination to wealth. He is a modern Ulysses who takes us traveling to some of the most fascinating places in the world.

Rasputin, a notorious lecher and drunkard, is Corto's dark Doppelganger and proclaims in Corto Maltese in Siberia: "It's hopeless to live in a world without adventure, without fantasy, without joy!" 

Sailors & Captains

Sailors, Captains and Beards have long been a reliable combination. Ah well, yes, and smoking, maybe... Pipe, preferably.

For the captains, it sent out a message of trustworthiness, safety, while the poor buggers doing the works grew their beards simply to stay warm on deck.

 Bearded sailors aboard the USS Pensacola

 Captain Haddock

Just tallying beards in sailors uniforms in Wellington harbour the other day, I didn't get any further than one single dock worker. Modern times...

True Red - Tuhoe Bruno Isaac

Tuhoe Isaac was born in Wairoa, New Zealand in 1954. By the age of 18 he had moved to the city, shifted to Australia, been imprisoned in jail and joined one of New Zealand’s most notorious gangs — The Mongrel Mob. Entering the mob world where the bull dog wearing a German helmet was their insignia and the lawlessness or anarchy ruled, Tuhoe took on the name ‘Bruno’ after the German helmet worn by the dog. Here he found true brotherhood and comradeship in the ‘house of the dog’ at a crucial time in his life. Amidst a raft of crimes and a number of lags in New Zealand maximum and minimum security prisons, Tuhoe emerged to become the leader of the King Country Mongrel Mob chapter. Shifting to Auckland as the President he presided over the infamous Ambury Park Convention of 1986 where a vicious rape occurred, despite a moratorium on violence. This incident led to the laying down of his presidency and his patch, but more than that it destroyed Tuhoe’s dream of a new and unified Mongrel Mob.

Tired of fighting, beer, drugs and a life in and out of prison he tried to find a new life. However, no matter what he did to change, his life always reverted back to the way of the mongrel.

In 1992 he joined Te Whare Amorangi Bible School at Pukekohe. After two years training he moved into full-time mission work from 1994 to 1999 traveling to Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Samoa, Australia, Finland and throughout New Zealand as an evangelist. In 1997 he ran a successful gang reconciliation hui.

In 2000 Tuhoe created a trust to support the unloved of society, visiting the prisons and motivational speaking at schools. In 2003 he started a Diploma of Counseling and pastoral care. He worked alongside a qualified team in the counseling arena until 2007. Still involved in community work he runs a men’s group and visits the prisons to facilitate a prisoner’s mentoring program. 

Highland Games

Highland games are events held throughout the year in Scotland and other countries as a way of celebrating Scottish and Celtic culture and heritage, especially that of the Scottish Highlands. 

Certain aspects of the games are so well known as to have become emblematic of Scotland, such as the bagpipes, the kilt, and the heavy events, especially the caber toss. While centred on competitions in piping and drumming, dancing, and Scottish heavy athletics, the games also include entertainment and exhibits related to other aspects of Scottish and Gaelic culture. And most of all, many, many hairy faces under balmorals and berets. . 

Scotsman in Jacobite Uprising garb, enjoying the spectacle during the 2009 Braemar Gathering, held at the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park in Braemar, Scotland.

Hairy Sex

Sex, yes. My blog experience taught me that just the mentioning of the word 'SEX' does magic regarding visitor numbers, so why not combine the pleasure with the business?

Where I personally have doubts about the effectiveness on acquiring sex through his T-shirtal message (top), I do fully agree with the message above, of course. 

And the combination of body paint with natural hair growth, well, what can I say? Nice beard...