Having ascended the throne, Tsar Peter Alekseevich, already at the age of 26, in 1697 went to Europe on an official visit, where he stayed for almost half a year. Looking at the appearance of the inhabitants of the advanced European countries, the king decided that the old Slavic image of his subjects was very outdated. And already at the end of 1698, a decree “On wearing a German dress, on shaving beards and mustaches, on walking schismatics in the attire indicated for them” was issued, which caused a wave of discontent in different regions of the country.
Even at the time of the Baptism of Rus' (10th century), a beard was considered mandatory for all Orthodox. Wearing a beard was enshrined in church rules and civil collections, so in the 11th century a fine of 12 rubles was due for barbering, despite the fact that there was a fine of 36 rubles for murder.
The ban on shaving the beard remained until the beginning of the reign of Peter the Great. Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Adrian at the end of the 17th century, that is, already during the reign of Peter I, during his sermons confirmed the ban on shaving his beard, and he compared those who did it with dogs, cats and effeminate ones - barbering was considered in the Orthodox churches are a sign of homosexuality.
But let's get back to Peter Alekseevich and his new, radical views on the external image of the Orthodox, in the context of facial hair. Commenting on his law on the prohibition of beards, the king said:
I wish to transform secular goats, that is, citizens, and the clergy, that is, monks and priests. First, that they without beards resemble Europeans in goodness, and the other, that they, although with beards, teach the parishioners in churches the Christian virtues in the same way that I have seen and heard pastors teaching in Germany.
In the Transfiguration Palace, at the royal feasts, Peter himself began to cut the beards of his nobles, the boyars. In view of the stubborn resistance of the population, including those close to him, in January 1705 he issued a decree according to which deacons and priests could freely wear beards, all the rest had to pay a special fee. Four categories of duty were established:
courtiers, city nobles, officials - 60 rubles a year
guests (merchants) of the 1st article - 100 rubles per year
merchants of medium and small articles, townspeople - 60 rubles a year
servants, cab drivers, coachmen, various ranks of Moscow residents - 30 rubles a year
"Bearded" peasants were not subject to duty, but at the entrance to the city they had to pay 1 kopeck
After paying the fee, the “man with a beard” received a beard sign (bearded penny) - a metal token, a receipt for payment. This duty was valid until 1772, and since 1715 there was a single tariff - 50 rubles a year. Peter I sought to completely eradicate the wearing of a beard and “Russian” dress, and from 1714 by decree he introduced a complete ban on wearing a beard and on trade and wearing the national Russian dress - for failure to comply with the decree, they were beaten with a whip and could even be sent to hard labor. Exceptions were made for the Old Believers, but they still paid a fee of 50 rubles and wore only certain clothes with a copper beard badge sewn on. The policy of eliminating the custom of wearing beards continued until the end of the 18th century, even church collections tried not to print, where it was a question of the obligatory wearing of a beard, or this chapter was excluded.
But already in 1833, during the reign of Nicholas I, upon taking up the post of Minister of Public Education, the actual Privy Councilor, Count Uvarov, who had very conservative views on science, literature, education, stated in his report to the emperor that:
Delving deeper into the consideration of the subject and seeking those principles that constitute the property of Russia (and every land, every nation has such a Palladium), it becomes clear that such principles, without which Russia cannot prosper, grow stronger, live - we have three main ones:
1) Orthodox faith
2) Autocracy
3) Nationality
The Slavophiles “clung to this idea of an “official nationality” and began to develop it further, to popularize the wearing of Russian clothes and beards. The authorities did not encourage this movement, some supporters were even arrested for short periods in order to discourage the sympathizers. But over the years, there were more and more supporters of the idea of returning to national and church, Orthodox customs, and already the last two tsars from the Romanov dynasty - Alexander III and Nicholas II wore a beard.
Now it is noticeable that many people want to revive the traditions of Rus'. This is wonderful. This is the natural response of our Society to the promotion of Western values, principles and ideals. One of the elements of traditional Russian Culture is the beard of the male representatives.
But there is problem: military personnel (of all ranks), employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the FSB, the FSO, the SVR, the GRU, the Ministry of Emergency Situations and other departments, as well as other government employees (for example, deputies of different levels) and even employees of private companies - forced to shave. They are forced through regulatory legal acts (charters \ laws, etc.) or through unofficial "requirements of employers for appearance." This - not fair and ignoble. In addition, there are people for whom the presence of a beard is a necessity associated not only with traditional culture, but also with Faith. Such people may and would like to benefit the Society through labor activities in state organizations, but in the current conditions, they cannot do this, because they will have to shave their beards...
Solution
1) Make changes to the regulations (statutes \ laws, etc.) of the Russian Armed Forces, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Emergency Situations and other departments and government agencies. These changes should allow any male to have a beard, regardless of profession, nationality, age and religion. and with the active participation of the Russian Orthodox Church, to spread in the Society a good attitude towards the beard, as a sign of masculinity and as an element of traditional Russian Culture.
Expected Result
Justice will be restored. This change will be another important step towards the revival of traditional Russian Culture. Men will feel more confident and comfortable. And girls and women will rejoice looking at the revival of masculinity. Society - will become a little more Natural and Healthier.
In some countries, a beard in the army is not just a whim, but a mandatory rule. Facial hair is a symbol of masculinity and wisdom; it should never be shaved off, as this is the dignity of a man.
However, not everyone attaches such importance to hair. What can be said about the Russian Federation? Let's get acquainted with the charter of this country and find out if there are exceptions to the rules.
One of the basic rules in the military unit of the Russian Federation is the observance of the rules of personal hygiene. The military regulations of Russia say that the rules of personal hygiene include not only daily washing, brushing your teeth and more, but also shaving your stubble.
Although shaving is a strict requirement, some men allow themselves to grow a mustache. Before a military man grows his hair, he needs to find out whether it is possible to wear a beard in the army or not, as a willful act can be punished.
Previously, paragraph 344 of Article 8 stated that officers, warrant officers and midshipmen could grow facial hair, but over time, they amended the charter and now no one can have a mustache. Can this ban be ignored if the person is a Muslim or has an allergy to shaving?
As it should be according to the charter of military personnel?
In many countries. Some men are allowed to have mustaches, but this does not apply to Russia. This categorization is due to several factors:
These reasons prompted the government to revise and amend the charter.
Important! Since wearing facial hair in a military unit is prohibited by law, if the charter is not systematically observed, a court case can be opened.
Who in the army can wear a beard and mustache?
As we have learned, no one should wear a beard and mustache during the service, but there are exceptions. Since earlier ensigns and officers could have vegetation, everything remained the same. Although the charter has been amended, these male officials still do as they are used to. Only high-ranking military officers enjoy concessions; this rule does not apply to an ordinary soldier.
If the troops are located in the north of the country, where the temperature is very low, they are allowed not to shave their stubble. Even an ordinary private, being in such conditions, can freely have a ford. Thanks to this, men do not freeze their face so much.
For reference! Low temperatures are not a reason to wear long stubble. Only commanders willfully allow soldiers to violate this rule of personal hygiene.
In other cases, the military must negotiate with their commander about wearing a beard and mustache. You can get illegal permission if:
- The soldier has a doctor's note advising him to grow facial hair.
- The man has scars on his face.
- The military has a severe irritation or allergy to shaving.
The higher your rank, the more likely you are to be allowed to break this rule. Even if you were allowed not to shave, after leaving the unit, you may be noticed by patrolmen who will start asking unnecessary questions.
Are beards punished?
According to the law, due to non-compliance with the charter, the military must be punished. As for the beard, despite the ban, there are men in the military unit who wear it, but they do not forget that you need to be careful. Although some military personnel wear a beard, in general, everyone shaves their facial hair completely.
In April, Chinese authorities imposed a ban on "too big" beards and face coverings in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The region is home to China's largest Muslim diaspora. Such measures were taken to combat separatism and terrorism.
Lenta.ru tells where else it is forbidden to wear beards or trim mustaches incorrectly.
"I'll say no!"
Where and why is it forbidden to wear a mustache and beard
They say that Peter I personally cut the beards of the boyars
A frame from the film "The Tale of How Tsar Peter the Black Married"
Peter I, as part of a course towards rapprochement with the West, issued on January 16, 1705 a decree on shaving beards and mustaches so that a Russian person (above all, a boyar) looked more like a European. “In Moscow and in all cities, courtiers, and courtyards, and townspeople, and orders of all kinds of ranks to serving people, and guests, and hundreds of living rooms, and black settlements to townspeople to tell everyone that henceforth from this great sovereign of his decree, beards and mustaches should be shaved” , he said. Those who refused to comply with the decree were supposed to pay a fee.
American firefighter, Chicago, Illinois
Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images
In many American fire departments, beards are prohibited. The beard prevents the respirator mask from fitting snugly against the skin of the face, which poses a danger to the firefighter's life. However, many bypass this rule. In some fire departments, beards are allowed, but such that they do not interfere with wearing a respirator. There is a famous case when a Muslim firefighter sued his state for ordering him to shave his full beard. However, the judge ruled that this decision was due to security concerns and upheld it. American firefighters are not allowed to wear mustaches.
Indian Catholic Cardinal Baselios Kleemis (Isaac) Thothunkal
There is no direct ban on wearing a beard and mustache in Catholicism, but most Catholic priests are clean-shaven. Why? First, according to the general idea, Jesus wore a beard, which means letting it go is putting yourself on a par with him. Secondly, the ancient Romans, who converted to Christianity, considered lush facial hair a hallmark of the barbarian. Nevertheless, in the Middle Ages, some popes grew beards. Even now, for example, in India, Catholic Cardinal Baselios Kleemis prefers not to shave.
Pakistani military, 2011
In the Pakistani army, there is no strict regulation of the length and style of beards and mustaches. However, in 2005, a provision was introduced requiring soldiers to ask their superiors for permission to both grow and shave facial hair. The point of this regulation is that military personnel who shave or grow a beard are difficult to identify from an outdated ID photo.
Genrikh Yagoda, People's Commissar of Internal Affairs of the USSR in 1934-1936
During the First World War, when Adolf Hitler served in the army, he wore a lush Prussian mustache. However, he soon had to get rid of them, as they interfered with putting on a gas mask. Since then, he wore a mustache with a “brush” - a style popular in the first half of the 20th century. After the Second World War, however, the fashion for them ended. There was no official ban, self-censorship turned on: no one wanted to be like Hitler.
Uzbek men pray during a farewell ceremony for former Uzbek President Islam Karimov, who died on September 2, 2016.
There is no official ban on beards in Uzbekistan, but the authorities, fearing the radicalization of Muslims, call young guys with lush facial hair to police stations and strongly recommend that they shave it off. Sometimes these measures are accompanied by arrests and searches.
Walt Disney
Photo: Walt Disney Company / Reuters
Many companies have rules regarding the appearance of an employee. So, for example, Disney College teachers can wear a mustache or beard, but only in a certain style. Unshaven or too lush vegetation is not allowed. The beard or mustache must have a "neat, well-groomed and professional appearance".
Pioneers of the French Foreign Legion marching in the Bastille Day parade, 2007
The pioneer unit of the French Foreign Legion is the only one where both uniforms and beards are allowed (the rest can only grow it when they are not wearing a uniform). Before the parade on Bastille Day, they are even strongly advised not to shave. According to tradition, they parade with beards and with axes on their shoulders.
Member of the US military
The American military must always be clean-shaven, unless he has been given permission not to shave by a superior officer. It is permissible to grow mustaches, but they should be kept well-groomed and trimmed - their length should not exceed 1.2 centimeters. According to the charter, beards, goatees, sideburns "and other excesses" are prohibited.
Commander of the 58th Combined Arms Army, Major General Sergei Kuzovlev
Photo: Oleg Kharseev / Kommersant
The charter does not forbid the Russian military to wear a beard, but it does not allow it either. According to the statute, "a serviceman's hairstyle, mustache, if any, must be neat, meet hygiene requirements and not interfere with the use of personal protective equipment and the wearing of equipment." Until 2008, the old charter separately stipulated that only officers and warrant officers (midshipmen) were allowed to wear a beard, but this provision disappeared in the new charter, so the solution of the issue is at the mercy of the authorities. At the same time, the hygiene rules for the military include "timely shaving of the face, cutting hair and nails."
