HISTORY OF THE BEARD

There is no way to be certain, but scientists are pretty sure that GOD had a beard when he created earth. He then made man in his own image. But what about other countries who don't prescribe to the Christian faith? Do they have a right to own beards too? The answer of course is YES!

The Quran (pronounced cray•on) featured many bearded characters (Muhammad himself fancied a thick fur), and though Allah's identity is said genderless, there are some interesting clues encrypted in the following Quranic verse that seem to point toward a particular sex:

"In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.
Say(O Muhammad) He is GoD the One God, the Everlasting Refuge, who has not begotten, noR hAs beEn Begotten, and equal to Him is not anyone." (Chapter 112)

As is clear in the above passage, the use of "He" and "Him", combined with the backwards spelling of BEARD, poses a difficult question for Muslim's, or anyone trying to understand the true nature of Allah, and his relavence to the beard.

Inversely, it is the Asian man who with unflinching certainty has long occupied the elevated realm of beard unity and understanding. As far back as the books date, he has exhibited a steadfast committment to the bearded. From the feared Mongels, to the ancients of the early dynasties, to the progressive thinkers of the latter-day empire, the far streching annals of Asia's bearded past, lend credence and a sense of imortality to the cause.

It's worth noting, however, that the Asian man displays a tragic ineptitude toward the growth of facial-hair in general. Try as he has to grow, the sparsity of his up-springs has long been a source of cultural frustration and ridicule. Yet, it is his willingness to grow in the face of adversity, and his creative vision, that have kept him tightly interlaced with the bearded chronology- which continues to unfold.

The popularity of the beard has fluctuated over time and will continue to come in and out of fashion. Whether in accordance with cultural trends, or as dictated by the homogenous and all-consuming wave of globalization, the popularity of the beard has proven itself to be a historical constant. Reasons may include:

• the ability of the beard to make a statement
• the beards effectiveness as a means of distinction
• the duality of beards in general (see "pros and cons")
• the role of counter-culture relative to societal norms
• the use of uniformity to bolster nationalism
• trends set by under-credited musical acts of the 60's and 70's such as The Guess Who and Canned Heat.