Why Do Amish Men Have a Beard But Not a Mustache?
The topic we are addressing today is, "Why Don't Amish Men Have Mustaches?"
If you've ever observed Amish men, you'll likely have noticed that they have long, full beards. Interestingly, bushy beards seem to be a fashion trend nowadays. However, what truly sets the Amish apart is that, despite having beards, they intentionally avoid growing mustaches.
The tradition of Amish men not having mustaches is rooted in their religious and cultural principles. While practices can vary among different Amish communities, there are some common reasons why Amish men choose not to have mustaches.
Why Do All Amish Men Have Beards?
Married Amish men shave their mustache but grow full beards, showing their dedication to tradition, humility, and staying apart from mainstream society.
The reasons behind the tradition of wearing beards among Amish men include:
#1. Biblical Interpretation
Many Amish communities base their practices on interpretations of certain Biblical passages.
Amish men are deeply committed to their Christian faith and believe that wearing a full, long beard aligns with the principles of the Christian Bible. The stories within the Bible often portray men with long, flowing beards, inspiring this practice among the Amish.
The Bible contains verses that mention the significance of beards, such as in the book of Leviticus 19:27, "Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard." Amish men see the beard as a symbol of their faith and adherence to these teachings.
#2. Cultural Identity
The Amish strongly emphasize separation from the world. The beard, along with their clothes and way of life, shows everyone that they're willing to follow God and be different from the rest of society.
It reflects their choice for a simple life and not following modern trends.
#3. Community Tradition
Wearing a beard is a longstanding Amish tradition, passed down through generations. It has become a part of their cultural heritage, reinforcing a shared identity and unity among community members.
#4. Symbol of Marriage and Maturity
In some Amish communities, growing a beard is associated with getting married and reaching maturity. A young man will have a clean-shaven face on the morning of his wedding, but within a week, he'll have the outline of a beard. 🙂
The Amish don't wear wedding rings after getting married. But one way you may be able to tell if an Amish man is married or single is whether he's growing a beard or not.
It's worth noting, however, that this guideline doesn't consistently apply to every Amish community. Some Amish young men begin growing a beard before marriage.
A long, full, and untrimmed beard is a standing tradition in many Amish communities. The New Order Amish, however, are an exception to this rule. They usually keep their beards shorter and well-groomed.
Why Do Amish Not Have Mustaches?
The Amish communities are known for their distinctive lifestyle, following traditions that trace back to the early days of the Amish in the 17th century.
Married Amish men must wear a full beard but are not allowed to have a mustache. This religious choice is tied to historical military associations, where soldiers, including British troops, commonly wore mustaches.
The Amish beard style, featuring long whiskers and a clean-shaven upper lip (often compared to the ZZ-Top-level beard), signifies their commitment to non-resistance and rejection of military involvement.
The roots of this practice can be traced back to the early days of the Amish. Under the leadership of Jakob Ammann, non-violence was emphasized as a crucial element of their faith.
In modern times, the Amish continue to embrace their distinctive looks. The Amish beard rules, including the absence of mustaches, reflect their commitment to a simple and non-resistant way of life. It is rooted in their interpretation of the Bible.
While some Amish men may not even know the exact reason why they don't wear a mustache, they uphold the tradition as part of their way of life, passing it down through generations.
History of the Military and Mustaches
The following was found in this historical article: During the war in Crimea, beards, mustaches, and sideburns became symbols of courage and determination. Britons back home started sporting similar facial hair styles in support of their heroes on the battlefield.
By 1860, mustaches had become mandatory in the British Army. Command #1695 of the King's Regulations read: '…The chin and the underlip will be shaved, but not the upper lip. Whiskers if worn will be of moderate length.'
The unshaven 'upper lip' thus became synonymous with military uniform and service.
So, according to history, if you were in the military in many parts of Europe during the 1800s, you had to have a mustache.
Why Amish Men Shave Their Mustache
I'm not exactly sure when the tradition of shaving the mustache started with the Amish people. But sometime in the past, they associated the mustache with military men.
Since the Amish are nonresistant and do not believe in violence, they made a rule against growing mustaches to stand out from soldiers. The Amish faith is all about being non-violent and separate from the outside world, which is why they decided to ban mustaches.
They continue this tradition today, even though the connection between the mustache and the military is no longer relevant.
Amish Lifestyle
The Pennsylvania Dutch people are deeply committed to preserving their traditions. Despite ongoing changes within every Amish church, they are very hesitant to allow too much modern influence.
Our fast-paced, technology-driven world poses a challenge for the Amish community. But wherever possible, they remain steadfast in their convictions, upholding centuries-old customs.
They emphasize the importance of community, simplicity, and a strong connection to family and God.
Despite external pressures, the Amish strive to preserve a unique lifestyle grounded in their deep-rooted beliefs. And that is why Amish married men have a distinctive look with a long beard, but they shave their mustache.
What If an Amish Man Can't Grow a Beard?
While Amish men shave their mustache, they are not allowed to shave their beards. However, it's a different story if a man is not able to grow a beard.
Amish men are expected to wear a beard if they can, but if they're unable to grow one due to natural reasons, it's not held against them. They may feel odd and hate the fact that they can't grow a beard, but it's not a big deal in the church.
More About the Amish
I hope I answered your question about why Amish men don't wear a mustache. If you enjoy reading and learning about the Amish, you might enjoy reading more of my articles...
Why Do Amish Women Wear Head Coverings?
Do the Amish Believe in Jesus?
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Anne
I am wondering how long were you Amish.
Why did you leave.
And I’m wondering why do you have pictures of people who are Amish.
Anna
I left the Amish when I was about 23. I share my story in a three part series and go into depth of why I left the Amish. You can read that here - https://amish-heritage.org/my-amish-heritage-my-story-part-2/. And I also have a post where I talk about photographing the Amish - https://amish-heritage.org/photographing-the-amish/. Some Amish don't mind having their photos taken.