Amish Beard Rules: Why Amish Men Don’t Shave

Among the many traditions that set the Amish apart, one of the most recognizable is the long, untrimmed beard worn by Amish men. It’s a quiet but striking feature, often noticed, rarely explained. This seemingly simple choice is rooted in something much deeper than appearance. To understand its significance, we have to look beyond grooming habits and into the heart of Amish life and values.

Key Takeaways:

• Amish men don’t shave their beards after marriage because it symbolizes their commitment to their faith and marks their status as married men.
• Inspired by Jakob Ammann, the Amish beard tradition symbolizes humility and divine intention. Shaving is avoided as it goes against the natural process intended by God.
• Beards hold deep meanings worldwide, from wisdom in Orthodox Christianity to identity in Sikhism and Islam. The Amish beard is part of this global reverence for facial hair.

In this article, we’ll explore the meaning behind the Amish beard, how it reflects their beliefs, and why it remains such an important part of their identity.

What Is The Deal With Amish Beards?

The distinctive facial hair worn by married Amish men is often called the “Shenandoah beard.” This style features a long, flowing beard without a mustache and has been a tradition among Amish men for hundreds of years.Amish beards are easy to spot: they typically grow to six inches or longer, covering the jaw and chin. The beard often includes sideburns that extend up to the ears, usually groomed straight down, though some men prefer a bushier look. Many Amish shave their cheeks for a cleaner appearance. Unlike a chinstrap beard, which is shorter and doesn’t fully cover the chin, the Amish beard is fuller and longer, covering the entire lower face.

The Amish Beard: Faith, Tradition, and Identity

The Amish beard stands as one of the most recognizable symbols of Amish life, carrying layers of meaning that tie faith, tradition, and identity together. For Amish men, growing a beard is both a spiritual act and a cultural statement, rooted in biblical verses such as Psalm 133 and Leviticus 19:27, which describe the beard as a mark of unity and warn against altering it. This practice was further reinforced by Jakob Ammann, the 17th-century leader whose strict teachings helped shape the Amish community. Ammann condemned shaving as rejecting God’s natural order, and his influence made the beard a visible sign of humility, obedience, and separation from worldly vanity. At the same time, the choice to forgo mustaches reflects their rejection of military imagery and commitment to peace, a distinction that continues to set them apart today.

Beyond its religious grounding, the beard also carries deep social significance within Amish life. When a young man marries, he is expected to stop shaving his beard, using it as a clear marker of adulthood, commitment, and responsibility as the head of a household. Since Amish couples do not exchange wedding rings, the beard serves as a public declaration of marital status and maturity. It signals a man’s readiness to raise a family and his full acceptance of communal responsibilities, reinforcing values of fidelity and stability. In this way, the Amish beard is more than just tradition—it is a living symbol of their devotion to God, their bond to family, and their distinct cultural identity.

Beard Traditions Across Different Faiths and Cultures

The Amish have made a name for themselves with their distinctive beard traditions; however, they’re not the only religious group that values facial hair for more profound reasons. Orthodox Christians often view beards as marks of wisdom and devotion, while Sikhs profoundly respect the body’s natural state. Additionally, various Jewish communities, Muslims following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, and even the Rastafarians each offer unique perspectives on the significance of a beard.

Michael Silber, a professor at Hebrew University with expertise in beards, mentioned that specific Orthodox Jewish communities, guided by Jewish mystical writings, regard facial hair as so sacred that men avoid combing their beards to prevent hair loss. He also noted that hairs that shed naturally are occasionally kept in prayer books for preservation.

The following table offers an overview of beard traditions across different cultures, highlighting how each reflects its values, challenges, and benefits.

Why Amish Men Grow Beards but Not Mustaches

Amish men grow beards but not mustaches due to a tradition rooted in their history with British military forces in the 19th century, when soldiers were required to wear mustaches as part of their uniform, a style associated with aggression and the persecution of groups like the Mennonites and Amish. To distinguish themselves from military culture and affirm their commitment to nonresistance, the Amish rejected the mustache, which they saw as a symbol of violence, and instead embraced the full beard as a mark of humility, pacifism, and cultural separation. This practice continues today as a visible expression of their identity and values.

What Happens If An Amish Man Can’t Grow A Beard?

The tradition of growing an Amish beard with a clean upper lip stems back even before the first world war. Unfortunately, not every man can grow facial hair due to genetic factors and other reasons. If a full beard is a way of respecting biblical forebears and a symbol of marriage in the community, what happens if an Amish man can’t grow one?

Growing Versus Shaving of the Amish Beard

Among the Amish, the guiding rule is not to shave the beard, which carries deep cultural and religious meaning even though traditions are passed down orally rather than through written regulations. If a man cannot grow a full beard due to genetics or medical reasons, it is not considered a violation of faith, as the concern lies more with shaving than with natural growth. For married men especially, shaving the beard is viewed as turning away from values tied to faith and family, but rather than formal punishment, such actions are typically met with gentle conversations from elders or the bishop, who emphasize understanding, forgiveness, and encouragement to uphold Amish beliefs.

Benefits of Growing an Amish Beard

There can be several benefits to sporting an Amish beard, even for non-Amish people. Aside from the Amish beard style being distinctive, here are more of the benefits you can enjoy if you decide to grow one:

It complements many face shapes.

Faces with square jaws can look more gentle with an Amish beard. It can also make a face appear longer for people with small chins.

It is easy to maintain.

Not all men always have the time and energy to trim, groom, and shave. The Amish beard is perfect for those who like their beards simple. It is low-maintenance since the outline of the facial hair is the only thing to maintain.

It emphasizes the beard.

Without a mustache, the clean upper lip emphasizes the fullness and thickness of the beard.

It reflects commitment to peace.

Dissociating themselves from their persecutors is one of the Amish people’s reasons for not keeping a mustache. By wearing a similar Amish beard style, you’re showing everyone that you want the same thing as the Amish – peace, humility, and no confrontations.

It shows masculinity.

With complete and thick facial hair, it automatically initiates a masculine vibe. The types of work Amish men do can be laborious, such as construction, farming, and crafting Amish furniture, among other similar work. Their beards help reinforce a masculine culture among Amish men. It can also represent some of the famous good traits of an Amish man – loyal, religious, and strong.

Interested in the deeper meaning behind Amish beards and other distinctive Amish ways? Explore our in-depth articles to understand more about the Amish culture.

How to Clean and Groom an Amish Beard

When growing an Amish beard, it is essential to remember that an unkempt one is an eye sore. A neat beard, whatever the style may be, looks stylish and charismatic.

One may feel free to use modern products to maintain the Amish beard if not Amish. Products such as beard oil, wash, brush, and trimmers are now available in the market and online.

Here’s an essential guide on how to maintain an Amish-style beard while adhering to the principles of simplicity and practicality:

1. Washing: Choose a gentle, natural soap or shampoo to wash your beard. Amish people prefer products without strong fragrances or harsh chemicals, aligning with their emphasis on natural living.

2. Drying: After washing, gently pat your beard with a clean, soft towel. Avoid rubbing vigorously to prevent damage to the hair and skin.

3. Combing: Use a brush or comb made from natural materials to detangle and style your beard. This is in keeping with the Amish preference for simplicity and natural products. 

4. Trimming (If Necessary): While Amish men typically keep their beards untrimmed, some might trim them for neatness or to maintain a manageable length, depending on the specific guidelines of their community. 

5. Regular Care: Regular washing, combing, and occasional trimming (per individual and community standards) are vital to maintaining a healthy beard. This routine care prevents tangles and keeps the beard looking neat.

Conclusion 

There are lots to an Amish beard than one could have imagined. Looking back, the history and reasons behind it are undoubtedly terrible. If we look at today’s Amish men who still follow this specific “no shaving” rule set hundreds of years ago, one can’t help but feel astounded by all the devotion, loyalty, and religiousness these people have.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why do Amish men shave their upper lips?

Amish men shave their upper lips to avoid associations with the military and aristocracy, reflecting their values of humility and simplicity.

What kind of beard do Amish have?

The Amish beard, or “Shenandoah beard,” features clean-shaven cheeks and chin area, with fullness coming from the underside and sideburns connecting to the ears, often kept neat or bushier for a personal touch.

When do Amish men grow a beard?

Amish men start growing a beard after getting married, signifying their transition to adulthood and readiness for family responsibilities.