The Amish Beard – Its History, Styles, and Should you Keep it?

Mo Parker

Updated on:

There are various beard styles that one can pick and choose from and some of them are eye-catching that just demand you to give them attention. One of them is the Amish beard but these are more than just fashion, to Amish men these beards are equivalent to wedding rings.

Amish beard originated from the Old Order Amish Community and is a symbol of peace for them. Different styles of it range from the traditional Amish beard, and very long chin curtain to double-ended chin curtain, shaped Amish goatee, and long chin curtain with an untrimmed long mustache.

In this article, we will be telling you what an Amish beard is, its history and origin, the many ways you can style them, and if you should get one or not!

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What is an Amish Beard?

An Amish beard is characterized by a traditional beard that is without any mustache style which is common among the people of the Old Order Amish community. Amish men typically grow an Amish beard after they get married to indicate that a man is currently married or has been married in the past (in other words, is a widower).

The beard is thick and several inches long and is comprised of multiple dense, curly clusters which are typically left untrimmed. They grow on the chin and jawline and then meet on either side of the face with the sideburns.

There are certain features of the Amish beard that make it so distinct from other beard styles and these are:

  • Absence of a mustache or a soul patch.
  • A full, thick beard that is approximately six inches or longer.
  • The beard is connected with sideburns on either side of the face.
  • The cheeks and mouth region are clean-shaved (the traditional look).

History of the Amish Beard

If we go as far back as the 16th century, we can see that the Amish beard has been combined with one specific religious group i.e., the Amish community.

This community is well known to detest anything that disrupts the peace and they have a deep connection than most people with humanity for centuries they have worked hard to protect these beliefs.

Hence, centuries ago they decided that if they want others to easily be able to differentiate them from the rest of the world, they should start a different facial hair growth and so, the Amish beard was born.

Their virtues are still a part of history and such beliefs continue to attract the attention of others hence there are growing audiences across the globe today.

Amish Beard Styles

An Amish beard can be styled in various ways so in case you are thinking of growing one, you have several options to play around with to see what fits you the best.

Traditional Amish Beard

These are the signature Amish beards which are characterized by a long beard that is connected with sideburns and lacks a mustache. The maintenance is pretty easy as you do not need to do any trimming, just shaping the beard now and then to avoid messiness.

Short Amish Beard

This is similar to the traditional Amish beard; the difference is just the length. This beard also connects with the sideburns and supports no mustache, the length of it depends on you totally in case you are not up with the idea of a long beard.

Very Long Chin Curtain

If you think you can carry a long beard without any problem or annoyance then this one is for you. This beard consists of a hanging curtain of hair that extends from the lower part of the chin toward the chest.

The hair instead of going under the jawline go above it and meet with the sideburns with no mustache and the upper chin region being clean-shaved.

Double-ended Chin Curtain

This type of Amish beard is unique as the long-rugged chin curtain has two ends instead of one. The curtain is broad and stretches from the upper chin area to the chest.

The mustache is absent, as usual, and the sideburns are connected with the jawline hair making the beard look thicker than most.

Shaped Amish Goatee

The shaped Amish goatee requires more maintenance than the usual Amish beard. Generally, this beard does not connect with the sideburns and extends from half of the jawline on either side and chin down to your chest.

There is no mustache, as expected at this point.

Long Chin Curtain with an Untrimmed long Mustache

There are some exceptions to the Amish beard where you can grow a mustache so if you find it hard to get rid of your mustache then give this style a try.

The extremely long chin curtain is paired with an untrimmed long mustache that grows downward and blends in with the chin hair growth. The sideburns are also long and meet the jawline hair on both sides.

Short Trimmed Chin Curtain

It has a short, neat chin curtain that completely covers the chin area and extends equally from the right jawline to the left. Strong and properly groomed sideburns that match the jawline hair on both sides. It has a clean-shaven mustache.

Should You Grow an Amish Beard?

In case you are second-guessing and wondering if you should grow an Amish beard then you can read the benefits of growing one as well as the pros and cons of giving this unique beard style a try.

Benefits of Growing the Amish Beard

If you are into the idea of growing a long beard and are looking for a style then give the Amish beard a try. Down below you will find reasons why the Amish beard is advantageous.

You Can Have Full, Thick Facial Hair

If you are genetically blessed with thousands of facial hair follicles that produce full, thick hair then the Amish beard is the perfect choice for you to showcase your hair. If you are not as blessed in the facial hair department then growing an Amish beard will take a lot of time but it will be worth it because your beard will look incredibly thick by the end.

A Symbol of Masculinity

For a lot of people, facial hair is a sign of masculinity. With a thick beard mane like the Amish beard, you can embrace your masculinity as well as flaunt it. In Amish men, this beard also represents some good character traits such as humility and manhood.

Connected With Peace

In case you are unaware, Amish people are known for being peace lovers and pacifists which is why the beard is seen without any mustache as a mustache is related to and symbolizes the military and Amish people do not want to be associated with that at all.

The military is related to protection but also violence so Amish men shaving off their mustaches represents that they have no association with the army and instead, are peace lovers. If you have similar beliefs to the Amish community then this beard is practically calling your name!

Pros and Cons

Before going for any hairstyle, hair color, or beard style you should always consider the pros and cons to conclude if the said style would be a good choice or not. With the Amish beard style, the pros and cons are listed below so you do not have to think much about it yourself.

Pros

  • Is diverse as it can suit any face and head shape.
  • Low maintenance as you will only be needing to maintain the outline of the facial hair.
  • No hassle about maintaining a mustache.
  • Easy to grow and take care of.  

Cons

  • If you work in a strict environment that follows a certain dress code then it will probably be a hindrance to have an Amish beard in such a scenario.

Based on this list you can make your decision of if you want an Amish beard or not!

Do Amish men shave?

Long beards represent a lot of beliefs of Amish people but Amish men can shave and trim their beards before their marriage however way they want. But once you are married you can not touch your beard just like Amish women cannot cut their hair.

You can, however, shave your mustache area to keep it clean as well as the bottom lip region and cheeks. This is because in a traditional Amish beard the areas except for the jawline, chin, and sideburns are shaved.

Should you use beard oil on the Amish beard?

Yes! Beard oil helps nourish your hair fibers as well as your hair follicles and tames them. if you want your beard to keep looking healthy and fresh then you should include beard oil in your routine.

How should you maintain and groom an Amish beard?

Follow the following steps to maintain your beard:

  • Wash it every day with water and with a beard wash on alternate days.
  • Shave your mustache every day.
  • Invest in a high-quality comb to keep your beard neat.
  • Use a beard trimmer to keep all beard hair the same length.

Conclusion

The Amish beard is not just a fashion statement but it is a symbol of a lot of beliefs of the Amish community. These beliefs preach peace and detest anything that disrupts it or harms humanity.

If you are on board with such beliefs then go ahead and grow an Amish beard of your own. We hope that this guide provided you with information on the Amish beard, its history, origins and if you should give it a try or not!

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Meet Mo Parker, the visionary founder of The Beard Brotherz. Mo's passion for redefining modern masculinity led him to create a platform that celebrates the diverse interests and journeys of men today. With a commitment to authenticity and inclusivity, Mo's entrepreneurial spirit and dedication shine through every facet of The Beard Brotherz. From grooming and fashion to tech and wellness, Mo's multifaceted approach mirrors the platform's essence, offering a welcoming community for all to embrace their unique paths in the modern world of manhood.