Luscious Tresses
In his epistle to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul delves into the nuanced subjects of hairstyles and head coverings, offering guidance that has been interpreted in various ways across Christian communities. The Amish, known for their steadfast adherence to tradition, draw a clear line from scripture to practice. Within their community, a woman who trims her hair is believed to dishonor herself, while a man’s long tresses are deemed undignified. Conversely, a woman’s uncut hair is seen as a crown of glory, though not one to be flaunted with vanity. In a display of modesty, Amish women gather their hair beneath prayer kapps, eschewing ostentation.
Amish men, meanwhile, maintain clean-shaven faces until wedlock signifies the transition to grow a beard, a marker of their marital status. Notably absent is the mustache—a deliberate choice rooted in history. During a time of persecution, mustaches were associated with the military, an institution at odds with the Amish commitment to pacifism. As such, they reject the mustache, symbolically distancing themselves from the specter of aggression. This sartorial simplicity, guided by religious conviction, continues to be a defining characteristic of the Amish way of life..