Why did ancient people grow beards

This question is a historical question from the imperial examination of 1548 AD.　Ancient Chinese people have the habit of storing beard, pay attention to the beard and eyebrows hall, they respected the beard, take great pains to do a detailed classification, such as the upper lip of the beard is called "moustache", the lower lip of the beard is called "black", cheeks next to the beard is called "beard", while the chin is called "crease". "and the chin is called" crease ". This kind of thoughtful and long-winded division fully reveals the heartfelt love for the beard.

Talking about the beard of the ancients from the cultural relics-Shen Congwen

Red Flag seventeen, there is an article by Mr. Wang Li, "logic and language" article, the weight of the weight is quite heavy, I do not understand the logic and linguistics, the loss of this aspect of the gain or loss of less right to speak. But there is a paragraph involving the history of beard and beard of the ancients of the aesthetic view of the problem, and we engage in cultural relics of all common sense does not quite meet. Special to put forward some different opinions to discuss, when right, or can be rewritten by the author of the citation for reference, if wrong, please Mr. Wang do not begrudge advice, to get each other the benefit of the discussion.

That 鈥伇e commented that Chang mainly counts three points, as quoted below:

1. Han men in ancient times is to keep a beard, and not who like to beard to keep a beard, but as a man must keep a beard.

2. Ancient music "Stranger in the Mulberry" said: "walkers see Luo shi, under the stretcher to stroke the moustache" can be seen at that time every stretcher walking man is a beard.

3. A good beard is one of the characteristics of a beautiful man, which is why the Book of Han calls Han Gaozu "beautifully bearded".

Mr. Wang said "ancient" boundaries do not understand, I do not know the space refers to the Xia, Shang, Zhou ...... which dynasty, men must wear a beard? There is no reliable literature and other materials sufficient evidence?

Secondly, just because of the two lines of the poem, that is to assume that every man walking with a burden in ancient times was bearded, this reasoning can not be established? Or is there another reliable evidence to be so sure?

Third, that is, for the "beautiful beard" two words of interpretation, according to the general custom, it seems that can only be "good a beard," the praise, and the Han and Wei "beautiful men" features not much connection. The characteristics of the Han Wei Dynasty "beautiful man" is not much. Is there another literature and other can be proved?

The following text also said: "to the offspring, after middle age to keep a beard," according to the text, the offspring naturally when the Jin North and South Dynasties,, Tang, Song, Yuan Ming, Qing, is not really so? Or is there a text or object can be proved?

Private opinion of the first point of the generalization of the method is not based on the second point of conjecture less persuasive, the third point for the text interpretation is not quite right, the line is not strict enough, it is easy to breed misunderstandings, citing examples of illogicality, it is plausible that there is a greater discrepancy between the facts and the actual value of the business Poetry.

About the ancients beard problem, the class book to speak to a lot, this paper does not intend to make more cited, because simply cited the book and can not solve the specific problem. Now only want to try to pay attention to the cultural relics, the introduction of some relevant materials, may be able to explain the following four things: First, the ancient man does not necessarily have to keep a beard. Second, the beard in a certain period of history, due to worship or aesthetics, indeed gradually be valued, generally what style? And what are the different developments? The literature is not enough evidence, we can also get some knowledge from other aspects. In the Middle Ages, a certain period of time and suddenly do not pay attention to, there are also worship reasons. There are still beards in some periods of time in the three rooms and the martial arts, is certain, but does not necessarily count the room there are still men. There is a longer period of time a few just the opposite, some people beard more status is relatively low. However, the stretcher is never every person to keep a beard. Fourth, since the Jin and Tang Dynasty mustache style has new changes, but middle-aged or older people, that is, or famous officials, not necessarily keep it. This trend continues into the late Qing Dynasty.

First of all, some of the artifacts left over from the Shang Dynasty can be analyzed, the Forbidden City, there are several pieces of carved jade head, Hunan, a new excavation, a copper tripod with a few heads, in addition to the heirloom there are a few pieces of copper knife, copper, copper, copper battle-axe on the reflection of the shape of the head of a person, and there are a few ceramic figurines of slaves, was unearthed in Henan, told us about the beard during the Yinshang period, there is no certain must be the rules. The same ruler, there are bare chin, there are also left a large beard around the mouth. The cemetery can also use two materials to prove that the beard and personal status has little to do with the excavated cemetery in Anyang, a demon and ghost stone carving with flowery clothes wearing flowery hats and the cemetery, and another hand with shackles of slaves, the same bare chin (if the material is not doubtful, we can be used as a hypothesis, this period of time, people keep a beard is not very much)

Spring, Autumn, and Warring States image of the material of the new excavation of a little more. The more important are: First, Shanxi Houma found two humanoid clay model, on the clothes, apparently a certain status of men, and do not see traces of beard. Second, henan xinyang changtai guan chu tomb unearthed two colorful painted deep serge. Above painted some music and dance, hunting, and aristocratic figures, also did not see a beard model. Third, in recent two decades, Changsha unearthed a large number of warring states chu tomb painted wooden figurines, male regardless of the civil and military dress, but most of them have a little beard, the upper side of the two small "rendan mustache" type, or "william" type, the tip of the tip of the slightly upturned, some of the chin is left a small The chin is left a little extracted, while others retain nothing. The same image of no less than a hundred kinds, can be known and 漅 a region worship hobby popular culture, there must be a certain relationship, and is not an accidental thing (such as the artist used to make reference to the statue of Qu Yuan, will make a historical error). But there are also a number of big but not bearded. In addition to the Forbidden City, there is another heirloom bridal material for reference, that is, based on the biographies of the women of the "Lian women Ren Zhi Tu" scroll, on a series of famous historical figures of the Spring and Autumn period, several of them are wearing the same Rendan style eight beard, but also over the age of the beard does not grow a mustache. This scroll is said to be the work of Kai Zhi (凯之稿) of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. If we analyze the beard style in relation to the clothing system, the original manuscript may be as early as the Western Han Dynasty, that is, based on the four screens at the time of the drawing of the manuscript (or perhaps even earlier, because the beard style is not exactly the same as the Han Dynasty). In addition there is a new Henan Luoyang western Han dynasty murals, painted is also the story of the Spring and Autumn period, for two peaches to kill three scenes, which should be regarded as the day is the most ancient murals unearthed. From this, we know that the performance of historical figures at the time of a little law, such as painting ancient warriors Tian Naojiang,, Gu Ji Zi, more than for the beard angry image, to indicate the martial arts. Wuliang Temple stone carvings also follow this example. Cited outside, reflecting the hero to the Han Dynasty Shaoxing God mirror on the unity of Zixu, and Chongshan Jialing Dongpo South Han tomb on the competent Meng Ben, as well as the later made the "seventy-two sages" in the Zilu, the situation is mostly the same. If you make other Wenwei celebrities, generally only two moustaches, or split Zhang, or drooping, in short, there is the 諐 have chosen to leave so little. Nicco not ask is reflected in the Changsha carriage figure lacquer trousseau, or Liaoning Liaoyang Yingchengzi Han tomb mural, and North Korea unearthed that painted lacquer rushed basket edge filial piety son passes on the story, are not far from each other. At the same time there is also still the slightest bit left. That is, we can see that the ancient from Shang to Han, beard to stay real big stretch, some self-learning voluntary meaning, and not subject to the law or certain worship customary restrictions. I really do not see what Mr. Wang said men must stay beard situation.

As for the times of the Han and Wei Dynasties, there are richer stone carvings, murals, lacquer paintings, clay sculptures and small bronze casting for reference, a very specific reflection of the image of the working people, such as hunting, fishing, cultivating the land, boiled salt, pounding pestles and mortars, fetching water, music, and some of the implementation of the cut fish meat masters, very rarely see a bearded, unless the picking of the stretcher is a different kind of specific characters. It is difficult to say that every stretcher-bearer at that time must have a beard. It is true that there were some who wore beards at that time, for example, the guards at the gates, the servants, and the men who drove forward in the field, that is to say, many of them wore large beards, and the upper and middle classes of the rulers themselves had such a phenomenon. The other two lines of the poem are famous: "I am clean and fair, and I have a beard", no more, no less, so a handful. The third point of Mr. Kennedy's argument is also untenable. The third point of Mr. can not be established, because according to some materials, that is, from the common sense judgment, can also be known at that time the feudal ruler will never be willing to live in the middle and lower reaches, but instead let his watchman and pawns on the upper winds of the monopoly between the work of the men!

In fact, there is an worship culture formed in the opposite trend continues to develop quite noteworthy, that is, since the Wei and Jin dynasties, there is a long period of time, the beard is not valued. The reasons are many and varied, detailed analysis of the derivation is not the purpose of this article. Roughly it can be said that it and the young royal relatives and eunuchs favored dictatorship must have a certain relationship. In the literature, such as "after the Han book - eunuchs biography", "Han book - I'll be lucky to pass", "relatives biography" and Gan Bao "Jin Ji - General", "Jin book, - five lines of the Zhi", "hold Parker", "Shishu Xinyao", "Yan's training - Mianxue chapter", as well as the music corrupted poems, have recorded for us under the important and reliable description of a good deal of material. By this time, the bearded man could not only not be an object of beauty for the upper class, but had become a laughing stock in the comedy of songs and dances. The main character of "Bunkang Dance" is a drunken bearded man. In addition, there is a drunken whisker who makes lions and is also a bearded foreigner! Can we say that this is a beautiful man feature? Can't say that.

In fact, that is, in the early Han Dynasty, Zhang Liang's wild beast like a woman, and Chen Ping's beauty like a crown of jade, in the historical record, although it does not seem to be particularly 籦, can not see how to ridicule. To the Three Kingdoms, Zhuge Liang to ease Guan Yu not off, had intentionally said so-and-so "less than the beard of the supreme ruler outstanding" However, the "canonical" said that the Black Mountain Yellow Turbans all marshals, the number of their own words, around the beard of those who call themselves "billy goat root". History records that Cao Cao saw all the Xiong Nu, ashamed of the ordinary shape and quality, not enough to serve the people, specially asked Qu Yan to act on his behalf, I was on the side of the sword to wait for the defense. At that time, the intention was certainly thought to be Qu Diem looks great, and has a good beard. At that time, the intention was that Diem was a good-looking man with a good beard, and that he could win the respect of all the Xiongnu, but the result was not successful. Because even though the face plane was hairy, all the Huns were impressed by Cao Cao's people, they still said that the man with the sword beside Qu Zhan was extraordinary and did not recognize how outstanding Diem's wild beasts were. Bird since the beard is particularly loved by some people is recorded, such as the "Book of Jin" said Zhang Hua more beautiful, making good silk rope? Beard; and "Southern History" said Cui Wenshen tasted offered Qi Gao Di? Beard rope; can prove that there are various protection measures for beard. But there is still a relationship between men and more. The fact is just the opposite, the Wei and Jin times society is becoming increasingly sick. Therefore, "He Lang puts on powder, Xun Ling smokes incense" with men and women with women's soft and charming even for a time there is still a standard. Historical narrative to this point, although with deep ridicule, but this kind of pathological aesthetic for men, but in society continues to have a significant impact. Until the end of the Northern and Southern Dynasties. This is recorded from the world of Pan An on the street, women throwing fruit full of cars, Zuo Si into the market, the group of crone big throwing stone story and other narratives can be known, in short, this era is really not very conducive to bearded people! Southern Dynasty poet Xie Ling Yun, had a good beard. After his death, donated to the South China Sea only huan temple, mounted on the statue of Vimalakirti, although the monk to care for, to the Tang Dynasty, but for the Princess of Anle to fight the grass as a plaything, but also can be said to be a person has died, had to waste utilization. Not exactly difficult to recruit. However, the five hu sixteen countries, the northern part of the hu conflict when the struggle is intense, history is not clearly recorded a period, see the nose high beard more people, that is, without asking the reason, click a knife.

To the Yuan Wei Tuoba's northern, according to the beard should be taken seriously, but not. Try to see reflected in a large number of stone carvings, clay sculptures and murals on the characters, most of the mouth is always bare. It can be known as the northern hu tribe, that is, to middle age, but also most of them have not been left a beard. Heirloom "northern qi school map" for the Wei collect and other people, there are several no beard, the painting of the most beard or the horseman.

As for the Shi mustache from the split Zhang Qiao lift and downward trend, laid the foundation of the later three, five locks of beard, and there are also to the old not to stay beard, the literature is not enough levies, cultural relics can still help, there are materials can be verified. In addition to the Han Luoyang portrait brick part of the reflection, the new unearthed useful and important materials should be counted in recent years, Henan Deng County, South Dynasty Qi Liang when painting brick tomb tomb door that two hands embracing the instrument sword. Dressed in two dang armor, covered with a big robe of senior military image. Secondly, that is, dunhuang 220 caves tang zhen guan mural wei mo change the lower part of that listen to the law mass emperor line from the figure a group of big reed image. This mural is very realistic. Possibly still according to Yan Liben brothers handwriting painted by Emperor Taizong and Hongwen Pavilion eighteen bachelors and other images, the most important that there are several ministers. People have been early past middle age, but do not grow a beard. There are a few that or look wild beast handsome, beard but also honestly down and hanging. All in all, except for Emperor Taizong who was born with a gnarled beard. Painting Yuchi Jingde for hairy beard to show martial arts outside, learning to see the beard is one of the characteristics of beautiful men. General hairy beard fell more or less still show to the lower status of the characters. Such as Han Yu "double horse map" that horseman "Xiaoyi earn lanting map" that cooking tea fire head worker, Xianyang bottom Zhangwan mural that hand-held clapperboard of the Division of the long, the same in the face are good to grow a piece of lush green.

So is not to the middle of the Tang Dynasty, worship really have some changes, such as? Mr. said that people in middle age must grow a beard? In fact, it is still not quite true. I'm not sure if you're going to be able to get a good deal on the way to the next level, but I'm sure you'll be able to get a good deal on the way to the next level. Song painted "Xiangshan nine old picture" but there are a number of seventy or eighty years of age of the famous sages, the chin is still bare. In addition, the Luoyang Jieying drawing" and "West Park Yaji map" is to draw the time of the people, should be quite reliable, or see a number of over forty do not keep a beard, and later for the Gu Tinglin, Huang Lizhou, Pu Liuxian portrait is almost the same.

On this small issue, from the actual same hair, try to make some common sense exploration, I think it is also very meaningful, at least it can give us a few points of understanding:

One, the beard problem is usually a small matter, not when the road, it is difficult to say that the beard, but the academic experts, writing occasionally involved in the history of the article, if you don't do some practical research, it is impossible to have a more comprehensive and specific

The beard problem is a small matter, not as a big road, it is difficult to say that the beard problem is a small matter, it is difficult to say that the beard problem is a small matter. Specific 誝, such as only from course, derivation is difficult to be pertinent. And easily lead to errors.

Two, from the cultural relics study of ancient dress up, living and taking the production of labor and car and horse boat and moped system derivation, and its application of all kinds of can really help us inspire new knowledge, proofreading of the ancient books, and get a lot of useful useful things, it is worthwhile to give Deng a little attention to the current scholars should pay attention to. Ancient things literature insufficient signs too much, such as can put this comprehensive cultural relics and literature research work method, mentioned to celebrate the degree of understanding, to encourage some study of literature and history, have a certain degree of knowledge of the literature of the young young and strong, break the practice, in the face of the last ten years of unearthed artifacts and cultural relics, respectively, the problem of bold and serious touch for a decade or eight years, the study of Chinese culture and history of the empty or not quite articulated, will certainly hope to get to the end of the much new! Discovery and enrichment, I hope that the new research has new progress, first of all in the research methodology must be a little progress, and someone is willing to not be afraid of difficulties, overcome the difficulties. To do to be a pioneer of the intruder.

Three, from a small to a large, because Chinese history is too long, any one issue, isolated with the literature, there are many places are not easy to understand through the blade, some of the problems or is still completely empty point, some or by the subsequent note later thieves solve the attachment, resulting in a plausible impression, to be corrected and clarified, is the development of the matter. We want to figure it out for a water fall out, is bound to need to expand the field of vision liberalization some, set aside in a more solid and broad 篺 basis, combined with cultural relics and literature to carry out, will have a more reliable new conclusions. To talk about it, to draw it, to describe it, can be expected to meet the original face of history.

As for this research method of combining artifacts and documents to verify each other, is it turbid? I think from the results or can know. In my personal words, the level of thought is low, the ancient books read very little, cultural relics is only know a little bit of the problem, the research work of Mutual, achievements are naturally limited. That is, talk about呾, always or will inevitably be wrong, to be corrected. But if the domestic literature and history experts and scholars, willing to break the traditional study of literature and history methods, pay attention to the millions of cultural relics, I personally always y believe that the Chinese cultural research will be brought to a brand-new direction, not easy to envision a new harvest.