beard, n.Trivia

Shrimp, in Japan, are a symbol for longevity because of their long beards (antennae) and hunched backs

Beards grow about 5.5 inches per year

Facial hair is worn by 55% of all men the world over

A Russian man who wore a beard during the time of Peter the Great had to pay a special tax.

Beards grow faster in the daytime than the nighttime.

Wilgefortis is a female saint with a long beard which she grew after praying to God to make her repulsive in order to avoid an unwanted marriage. She is the patron saint of women seeking refuge from an abusive husband

Facial hair can help slow the aging process by preventing water from leaving your skin, keeping it moisturized.

Abraham Lincoln grew a beard on the advice of an 11-year old girl who wrote: “You would look a great deal better, for your face is so thin.”

Beards were encouraged by Alexander the Great to display his soldiers’ lack of fear of being grabbed from behind

Amish men are actually clean shaven prior to getting married but are required to grow their beards after marriage.

Beards increase three things according to studies: your age, social status and apparent aggressiveness.

Airline pilots are not allowed to grow beards.

Beards can block up to 95% of the sun’s harmful UV rays.

Beard growth depends on both genetics and testosterone.

Beards are negatively correlated with great wealth — 98% of the Forbes 100 list of the world’s richest men are clean-shaven.

Beards are made up of around 30,000 whiskers

Beards grow about 27.5 feet in a lifetime

In French, cotton candy is called "Barbe á papa," meaning "papa's beard.".

Facial hair is worn by around 33% of American males

Beards are helpful against pollen or dust allergies, serving as a kind of filter.