What Was Considered Attractive in Ancient Times?

In today’s society, beauty standards are constantly changing, but have you ever wondered what was considered attractive in ancient times? Let’s take a look at some of the most interesting beauty standards from different eras.

Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egyptians believed that physical appearance was important and had a significant impact on an individual’s social status. Both men and women wore makeup to enhance their features.

For women, the ideal beauty standard was to have a slender figure, symmetrical facial features, and dark hair. They would also adorn themselves with jewelry, including bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. The eyebrows were considered an important feature and were often plucked and painted on.

Men also wore makeup to enhance their features. However, they aimed for a more muscular physique rather than a slender figure. Having broad shoulders and well-defined muscles was considered attractive.

Ancient Greece

In Ancient Greece, the concept of beauty was closely linked to the idea of proportionality. The ideal woman was supposed to have a small waistline and wide hips while men were supposed to have muscular bodies with broad shoulders.

Both men and women had long hair which they styled using olive oil. Pale skin was considered attractive as it indicated wealth since people who worked outside had darker skin due to sun exposure.

Medieval Europe

During Medieval Europe, plumpness was considered an attractive feature for both men and women as it indicated wealth and prosperity. Women would wear tight corsets to accentuate their curves while men would wear padded clothing to make themselves appear larger than they actually were.

Pale skin continued to be in fashion as it indicated that one did not engage in manual labor outdoors.

Conclusion

Beauty standards may have changed over time but one thing remains constant – the pursuit of physical attractiveness is universal across all cultures and eras. While some of the standards may seem strange by today’s standards, they were once the norm. It’s important to remember that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes and that external appearance is only a small part of what makes a person truly attractive.