Beauty Standards in Ancient Civilisations we Still Have Today
While beauty standards are an ongoing expectation and change often, there are some aspects that never really change. Beauty standards in ancient civilisations shared many similarities to the standards we see now. Throughout ancient civilisations, there was a focus on body structure and shape, symmetry, and beginning in ancient Egypt the removal of body hair became important. While the hair on the head was preferred to be golden or brown; and this is when shiny, healthy hair began to be coveted.
Strength as a beauty standard
When reflecting on current standards, body shape and type is considered to be the thing that has changed the most throughout history. However, while a thicker body type was preferred in some times, in ancient civilisations there was a common preference for a muscular and strong body type similar to todays preferences.
A muscular body meant that the person would be able to do work, and to maintain their status, and it was considered to be the preferred and most attractive body type for both men and women for the majority of history. Differences are found when comparing the exact descriptions and if it was a larger muscular body or a slim and smaller muscular body, but the same base remained unchanged. This standard was also the same for both men and women, with the focus being on muscled arms and legs, and a torso that was toned and visibly muscular. Men were preferred with wide shoulders and women with their hips being the widest part of the body. Men were considered at their best when they were tall and appeared strong, even using oil at times to accent the tone of their body and muscles.
Facial symmetry for trust
Symmetry is also an ongoing preference in almost every culture and has remained such regardless of the time period. Even in some cultures where it was preferable for people to have a bit more weight to show access to resources and wealth to those who had symmetrical features, especially on the face were preferred.
Symmetry is considered to be the standard of perfection in many cultures and has remained the one constant standard across all of history. Facial symmetry often leads to increased levels of trust and can be beneficial in both business and personal life. Those who have symmetrical features have been found attractive both men and women, and while no one has a perfectly symmetrical face or features those that are closer will find they are better received in most business and personal interactions.
Smooth skin
It wasn’t until ancient Egypt that women began to remove the hair from their bodies, but it has remained a connection between the past and the presence. However, the reasoning for hair removal has changed drastically. It is of course easier to do now with improved options that are safer and easier.
Ancient Egyptians would remove hair with wax – similar to how legs and other areas are waxed currently – and this would allow for a hairless body without the use of razors or other replacements. Ancient Greeks, however, used razors or other sharpened objects such as rocks, in order to remove their body hair. Alternatively, they would use the method of depilation where each hair is removed one at a time by being pulled out. Currently machines do this using a set of tiny tweezers that rotate quickly and pull out each hair, hopefully removing the root as well for slower regrowth. While most people remove hair now for better sports performance, for the appearance of it, or the smooth feel of the skin without hair, it has not always been for those reasons.
Hair-free skin for health
Ancient civilisations didn’t have the same comforts as are currently available, and this affected a lot more than just staying out of the rain or keeping their home warm. With less bathing and no way to restrict the movement of bugs and even bacteria in and out of the home or bedrooms, there were many more infestations than are currently normalised.
To limit the infestations of lice, louse, bed bugs, and other unwanted and uncomfortable concerns, people would find ways to remove the body hair that allowed these unwanted guests to live comfortably on the body. Body hair does serve a purpose and has always been part of the human body for its functioning and comfort. However, it also provided a place for bugs to find a warm and comfortable home with a food source and suitable conditions for growth and reproduction. The only way to reduce that is to bathe more – which in some areas was accessible but not in all – and to remove the hair.
Beautiful hair forever
Women and men have often been preferred with the same hair colours, either strawberry blond or red hued or brown to dark brown. In both, healthy, shiny, abundant hair was the standard. Even before makeup as we know it, and hair styling tools, there was always a strong focus on hair and how it is maintained.
Hair was coloured using plants that were found in the area, and cleaned. Brushes were some of the first beauty tools in almost every civilisation. Healthy and cared for hair was also a sign of someone having the time and resources to manage their hair. And as it reflected the sun during the day it would attract others with its beauty.
Several of the beauty standards that we are used to in current times have changed and adapted over decades, but many of them have the same roots in ancient civilisation and their own beauty standards. Hair, symmetry, and body shape either remain consistent or return to the standards from ancient societies throughout the cycle. While some of these standards are easier to adapt now, through the use of makeup to create an increased appearance of symmetry and hair tools to improve the health and the shine of hair, others, such as toned muscular bodies are harder to maintain and require dedication to diet and exercise.
