Goatee

A goatee is a style of facial hair in which hair is grown only on the chin (the lower part of the face below the mouth), while the cheeks and most of the rest of the face are shaved. The English name 'goatee' derives from 'goat', because the style resembles the beard of a billy goat.

This style is known by various names in other languages: Arabic عثنون, English 'goatee', French 'barbiche', Italian 'pizzetto'. Its use varies across cultures and time periods, and has sometimes been associated with artists, intellectuals, or particular social classes.

Variations and types

The simplest variant consists of hair on the chin alone, without a moustache. Another well-known type combines chin hair and moustache in a ring around the mouth; some call this the 'Van Dyke', named after the Flemish artist of the early centuries. Variations differ in length, thickness, and the way the edges are shaped.

History and use

Goatees appear in ancient imagery and artwork from Europe and the Middle East. In sixteenth and seventeenth century Europe, small, trim goatees were a common style worn by royalty and artists alike. In the twentieth century, particularly from the 1950s through the 1990s, the style experienced renewed popularity in many parts of the world.

Religious and cultural perspectives

Some religious traditions include teachings about beards and moustaches that influence how this style is accepted. In Somali society, a beard carries cultural and religious meaning, and there are different views on grooming and shaping facial hair.