Beauty Through the Ages: Chapter One - Ancient Civilizations

The perception of beauty, especially women's beauty, has been an ongoing and interesting subject since it is a great source for understanding the social norms and cultural standards of many cultures across the world. In this series, we'll discuss these changing standards in women's beauty, starting with ancient cultures.

Ancient China

Beauty standards in ancient civilizations were often the result of cultural, religious, and societal elements. For instance, in ancient China Confucian values played a significant role in influencing beauty standards. Because of these values, women had to be submissive and delicate to be seen as pretty and worthy in the eyes of society during that period. Also, delicate features, such as a small face, and bound feet were seen as the extension of these values. So a pretty woman had to be delicate both in terms of physically and mentally.

Fragrant oils and floral perfumes were very popular among women to smell better. Elaborate hairstyles were common practices and women often used hairpins and accessories to indicate their social status and beauty.

Ancient Greece

Ancient Greece preferred a more athletic and proportionate form of beauty compared to other civilizations. Women who had slim, athletic build were seen as beautiful. Fair complexions were a sign of beauty and women used natural ingredients like olive oil or honey for skincare. Greek women also embraced a more natural look, and they avoided heavy cosmetics and hairstyles, again a different standard of beauty than other civilizations of that era.

Ancient Egypt

In ancient Egypt, beauty was also connected with religious beliefs. The use of cosmetics had a spiritual meaning and the application of makeup was seen as a way to honor the gods. Pale skin was highly favored by Egptians since it indicated wealth and status. As can be seen from sculptures, paintings, and poems, women with delicate and slim figures, long necks, pale skin, and blue-black hair were considered to be beautiful. Hairstyles, including wigs, were styled with beads, feathers, and metals to reflect fashion choices and social status. Women used natural ingredients like oils, honey, and milk for skin care. Their iconic eye makeup Kohl, made from lead and soot, was not only a practice of beauty but it was a practice of protecting their eyes from the heavy sun.

Works Cited

Montague, E. (2022, May 3). A Brief History Of Beauty - How Beauty Was Seen In Ancient China. THE FEM WORD. https://www.thefemword.world/the-word/a-brief-history-of-beauty-ancient-china

Greek, A. (2020, June 19). Eternal Goddess. Eternal Goddess. https://www.eternalgoddess.co.uk/posts/ancient-greek-beauty-standards

Kunitz, D. (2017, January 2). What Art History Can Tell Us about Female Beauty Ideals | Artsy. Artsy. https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-how-art-has-shaped-female-beauty-ideals-history

Kerasa Dimitrios Tsokas. (2021, March 31). Brutally Honest Look Of Beauty Standards Throughout History. Whimsy Soul. https://whimsysoul.com/a-brutally-honest-look-of-beauty-standards-throughout-history/

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