earticle

영어

In East Asian societies, beards have historically functioned as more than a biological trait, serving as cultural markers reflecting social hierarchy, ethical values, and aesthetic ideals. This study comparatively analyzes male beard styles and their sociocultural meanings in 16th-century Joseon, the Ming Dynasty, and Japan using textual and visual sources. In Joseon, beard styles—such as mustaches extending diagonally in the shape of the character ‘八’ (palja) and neatly arranged triangular chin beards— symbolized Neo-Confucian refinement and class order. The Ming Dynasty emphasized authority, filial piety, and martial virtue through voluminous and structured beard forms, often seen in military portraits. In Japan during the Sengoku period, concise and restrained beard styles reflected Zen-inspired aesthetic ideals of the warrior class, focusing on inner discipline and composed masculinity. By comparing beard types by country and social class, this study reveals how facial hair functioned as a visual code of identity and symbolic power. The research contributes to understanding the role of male grooming in traditional East Asian societies while identifying the limitations of elite-focused historical materials and suggesting directions for broader future studies.