Do You Grow A Beard When You Die?
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This popular belief dates back to the Victorian era, when people thought that the body becomes enshrouded in hair after death. Growing a beard after death was thought to be a sign of eternity and spiritual power. In today’s society this belief still holds some truth in that facial hair can have a special meaning, even after death. But is it actually true that the dead can physically grow a beard?
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At first glance, it may seem far-fetched to think the dead could grow a beard. After all, the idea that a dead body is capable of anything that can be considered growth seems very unlikely. But when looking into this popular belief, there is a little more to the story.
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First of all, it’s important to note that the dead do not physically grow a beard. As the cells in the body shut-down after death, there is simply no way for cell damage or trauma to create facial hair growth. However, if a deceased person had facial hair before death, the hair may be different than before. This is due to the process of decomposition in which the body’s tissues break down and facial hair is no exception. In some cases, after a period of decomposition, surviving facial hair can appear darker, thicker, and longer. As a result, this may give the false impression that a dead person has grown a beard post death.
It’s also worth mentioning that some people choose to shave the deceased’s facial hair after death. This can seem like a minor detail, however, it can give the illusion of an actual post-death beard growth. To this day, many people still choose to perform this traditional practice of shaving as a sign of respect for deceased persons.
To sum up, the physical growth of facial hair after death does not occur. However, the changes the body undergoes in the process of decomposition, such as facial hair darkening and lengthening, can give the illusion of a post death beard growth.
History of the Belief
The belief that the dead can grow a beard dates back centuries, with theories stemming from ancient Egypt. In Egypt, the tradition of facial hair grooming was closely intertwined with spiritual concepts. This included leaving lower jaw facial hair to grow, symbolizing life after death. Through this practice, the Egyptians believed that the deceased should possess life after death, evidenced through the outward representation of facial hair. Thus, the Egyptians cultivated the belief that the dead were able to grow hair after death, reinforcing the idea that the deceased were still alive in an afterlife.
In addition to Egypt, the belief of a post-death beard growth was passed down to other cultures. Many religious and spiritual teachings around the world contain references to a post-death beard growth. For example, the Islamic faith deems it inappropriate to shave the beard of the deceased, as if the dead were capable of actually growing a new beard. Ultimately, the belief of a post-death beard growth has been propagated across global cultures, making it’s way all the way through to the Victorian era.
What It Means Today
Today the belief of a post-death beard growth holds a certain symbolic significance. For many, the outward appearance of facial hair, especially on the deceased, signifies immortality and spiritual power. In some cases, this belief is tied to a certain faith or religion and is often reflected in funeral rituals. For example, some religions choose to not shave the dead’s facial hair as a sign of respect or to honor the deceased person’s soul.
In addition, in some cultures facial hair takes on a more personal significance. Many funeral rituals often involve the preparation of the deceased’s body and facial hair grooming is a big part of that. Despite the dead not being able to technically grow a beard, those partaking in the ritual can choose to keep a loved one’s facial hair, giving a sense of comfort and continuity despite death. Ultimately, in today’s society a post death beard growth may represent eternity and spiritual power, providing a level of solace and comfort during a difficult time.
Medical Perspectives
From a medical perspective, the dead cannot physically grow a beard. As the body’s cells shut down after death and undergo decomposition, there is little to no chance of actual physical facial hair growth. In some cases, facial hair can appear to have grown or changed due to the decomposition process, such as darkening or lengthening. But this is merely an illusion and there is actually no physical growth of facial hair occurring.
It’s also important to note that facial hair is not the only thing that may change post death. In some cases, the deceased’s skin, hair, nails, and even eyes can change color or texture due to bodily decomposition. Needless to say, regardless of these seemingly visible changes, these body parts can not actually grow after death.
Does It Matter Whether the Body Grows A Beard?
Whether the dead physically grow a beard or not largely depends on the person and their connection to facial hair. While some may take comfort in the belief that the deceased may grow a beard, for others it is hardly more than a symbolic gesture. Ultimately, it may depend on the cultural traditions and spiritual practices of a person whether the truth matters or not.
In the end, whether the dead can physically grow a beard is simply a matter of perspective. For some, the notion of a post-death beard growth is comforting and provides a level of continuity and solace despite the loss of a loved one. For others, the belief has little to no significance and holds no importance. No matter the case, it’s safe to say that the belief of a post-death beard growth has prevailed despite time and technological advances.
Consequences of Facial Hair Grooming
Due to the belief of post-death beard growth, a great deal of emphasis is placed on the grooming of facial hair after death. There are several consequences associated with disregarding this ritual, such as poor public opinion or unsuitable burials. In some countries, such as China, the ritual of properly grooming the deceased’s facial hair is heavily practiced, and seen as a sign of courtesy and respect. Therefore, those partaking in the final grooming can be subject to harsh criticism and public judgment if it is not done properly.
In addition to public opinion, there can also be certain religious and spiritual implications for those who do not properly groom the deceased’s facial hair. In some cultures, not grooming the deceased’s facial hair correctly can be seen as a lack of respect towards the deceased and result in poor placement in the afterlife.
Myths and Misconceptions
Despite popular belief, there are still many myths and misconceptions surrounding post-death beard growth. Perhaps the most widely accepted misconception is that the dead actually grow facial hair after death. As mentioned previously, the dead are unable to physically grow facial hair after death and any changes to the hairstyle are actually caused by the study of decomposition.
Another common misconception is that facial hair grooming should be done solely by family members. In reality, facial hair grooming can be conducted by anyone and usually anyone who has a close connection to the deceased is regarded as appropriate. For example, in some cultures, individuals such as a spiritual leader or friends may also be given the responsibility of grooming the deceased’s facial hair.
Conclusion
Despite being a widespread belief, the physical growth of facial hair after death is highly unlikely, if not impossible. Those who believe that a person can grow a beard after death often associate facial hair with eternity and spiritual power. Moreover, facial hair grooming for the deceased is still a highly practiced ritual in various cultures around the world, although it does come with certain consequences. Finally, when it comes to post-death beard growth, there are many myths and misconceptions that need to be cleared up in order for the belief to be understood properly.
