Beauty Through the Ages: Chapter Two - Medieval Ages

The second chapter in our series will be about the beauty standards during the Medieval Ages. The medieval age is the period that started in the 5th to the 15th century. This period is known for the rise of diversity. Let's delve into the diverse standards of beauty and common self-care practices of Medieval Europe, Native American societies, Asia, and Africa.

Europe

In Medieval Europe, beauty standards were influenced by class and religious beliefs, just like in the previous eras. The traditional European beauty ideal for women was: a small head with thin blonde hair and softly curved eyebrows. Also having a small mouth, large forehead, white teeth, and large eyes were signs of beauty, health, and wealth. Furthermore, because the fair was the idealized idea of beauty, it was frequently mentioned in several medieval texts.

Since skin was an important indicator of beauty, Medieval European women used a variety of natural ingredients, from herbs and flowers. Rouge was a common makeup and women created rouge from crushed plants to make their cheeks and lips look red and flushed. Since bathing was not common in Medieval Europe, people used perfumes and scented oils to prevent bodily odors. According to a Medieval text, the author said:

''There are some women who have sweat that stinks beyond measure. For these, we prepare a cloth dipped in wine in which there have been boiled leaves of bilberry, or the herb itself or the bilberries themselves.'' (Rosalie’s Medieval Woman, Medieval Healthcare, 2024)

Native American Societies

The beauty standards among Native American societies during the Medieval Ages were of course very different based on tribes. In some tribes, the people would accentuate their natural features, with tattoos, body paint, and beadwork to reflect their customs, beliefs, statues, and personal achievements. Natural materials like clay and berries were used to paint the body.

Africa

Beauty standards in Medieval Africa were diverse which reflected the continent's rich culture. In some regions, women with fuller bodies were considered attractive, since it meant that person had access to food. Pre-colonial beauty standards among African tribes mostly focused on women’s ability to bear healthy children. So any indicator of fertility such as having wide hips and big breasts were common indicators of beauty and health.

Like Native Americans, Africans also utilized their environment to find useful ingredients for their appearance. For example, shea butter was used to protect against the harsh African sun. Women used vibrant fabrics and jewelry made from local materials to show their status and emphasize their individuality. Often intricate and braided, hairstyles held cultural significance since they often conveyed one's identity and status.

Ottoman Empire

During the 13th and 14th centuries, the Ottoman Empire, like any other culture, had distinctive beauty standards shaped by its diverse cultural and historical context. Similar to other cultures, a fair and clear complexion was seen as an indicator of beauty and health. Women with small, well-defined noses, almond-shaped eyes, and high cheekbones were seen as beautiful which indicated the preference towards Circassian features, which were commonly displayed in artworks.

Using henna was a common practice for women to decorate their bodies. Women applied henna to their hands and feet to create a variety of patterns.

Bathing was an important part of Ottoman women's lives and they would often use natural ingredients, such as rosewater, olive oil, and honey in their beauty practices. Ottoman bathhouses, known as hammams, were not only places for hygiene but also served as social hubs. In these places, women would take long baths, and exfoliate the skin with Turkish body cloths known as ''kese''.

Works Cited

Remer, A. (2021, July 14). More Than Pretty: The Middle Ages (1066-1485 CE) - Girl Museum. Girl Museum. https://www.girlmuseum.org/more-than-pretty-the-middle-ages-1066-1485-ce/

Rosalie’s Medieval Woman - Medieval Healthcare. (2024). Rosaliegilbert.com. https://rosaliegilbert.com/healthcare.html

Reject unrealistic beauty ideals that harm African women – African Women in Media. Africanwomeninmedia.com.

Berrak Burçak (2018) Hygienic beauty: discussing Ottoman-Muslim female beauty, health, and hygiene in the Hamidian Era, Middle Eastern Studies, 54:3, 343-360, DOI:10.1080/00263206.2018.1427073

Setenay Nil Dogan. (2019). Circassian Beauty: A Myth in Turkey. Academia.edu. https://www.academia.edu/27508814/Circassian_Beauty_A_Myth_in_Turkey

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