[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/web.bellus.qa.dev-q.com\/beauty-and-wellness-careers\/the-little-known-history-of-barbering\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/web.bellus.qa.dev-q.com\/beauty-and-wellness-careers\/the-little-known-history-of-barbering\/","headline":"The Little-Known History of Barbering","name":"The Little-Known History of Barbering","description":"To truly learn about the complete history of barbering, you\u2019ll have to turn the clock back a little further than you\u2019d expect \u2013 thousands of years, to be ...","datePublished":"2019-02-04","dateModified":"2025-07-01","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/web.bellus.qa.dev-q.com\/author\/bellus-editor\/#Person","name":"Bellus Editor","url":"https:\/\/web.bellus.qa.dev-q.com\/author\/bellus-editor\/","identifier":3,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Bellus Academy","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Purple_Logo_Bellus_horizontal.png","url":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Purple_Logo_Bellus_horizontal.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/web.bellus.qa.dev-q.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/history.of_.barbering.jpg","url":"https:\/\/web.bellus.qa.dev-q.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/history.of_.barbering.jpg","height":600,"width":1600},"url":"https:\/\/web.bellus.qa.dev-q.com\/beauty-and-wellness-careers\/the-little-known-history-of-barbering\/","about":["Beauty & Wellness Careers"],"wordCount":677,"articleBody":"To truly learn about the complete history of barbering, you\u2019ll have to turn the clock back a little further than you\u2019d expect \u2013 thousands of years, to be exact. For centuries, barbers have played an important role in a wide range of cultures. From their earliest existence to modern day, barbers have held a highly respected place in societies across the world, commanding a certain respect for their skill and talent.Barbering in Ancient TimesWhen most people imagine the early years of barbering, they think of old-fashioned barber chairs and the iconic striped red barber pole, but the art of barbering can actually be traced far beyond this, all the way to the ancient Egyptians. Archaeologists have uncovered ancient records and artifacts that date back to 3500 BC, demonstrating the presence of barbers in ancient Egyptian culture. During that time period, barbers were highly respected, often serving as religious priests in addition to caring for their community\u2019s hair.For the ancient Egyptians, it was commonly believed that evil spirits were capable of entering the body through the hair and that cutting your hair was an essential protective measure. During religious ceremonies such as marriages and baptisms, the barbers were typically responsible for performing a variety of symbolic rites. After the ceremony, the barbers would cut the hair of the participants, tying back the remaining hair to ward off evil spirits and preserve the presence of good ones.Ancient Greece was also home to a highly regarded society of barbers, whose skills were constantly in high demand due to the society\u2019s propensity for large, thick beards. The poets, statesmen, and philosophers of ancient Greece frequented the area\u2019s barber shops, paying high prices to have their beards cared for. When trends shifted towards a clean-shaven face, the barbers maintained their important role by offering luxurious grooming services.The Middle Ages and BarberingBarbers maintained their connection to the medical field through the Middle Ages, a historical period during which they were often called \u201cbarber surgeons.\u201d This title came from a highly unusual combination of job responsibilities, blending the role of barber and surgeon into one. Barbers were expected to perform a range of medical procedures in addition to cutting hair and shaving, as well as a number of religious and cultural ceremonies. It was common for barbers to perform dental work and surgery as well as bloodletting, an ancient procedure rooted in the mistaken belief that releasing amounts of a patient\u2019s blood would cleanse them of ailments. It’s said that the red stripes of the barber’s pole are symbolic of these outdated procedures.Barbering in the Modern EraAlthough there was a period in the 18th and 19th centuries in which barbering was considered an undignified career, with barber shops unfairly stereotyped as houses of gossip and bad behavior, it didn\u2019t last long. Towards the end of the 19th century, barbering began rising to its former place of respect, and 1893 was the year America\u2019s first barbering school was established. A.B. Mohler opened the educational facility in Chicago, and the school for barbers was the first of its kind in the world. \u00a0By the 1920s, major efforts were being made to professionalize the art of barbering, with barber school branches quickly spreading across the United States. Barbershops once again became a highly popular place for people to enjoy an excellent haircut and great company, earning status as a place for friends to hang out and partake in some good conversation.Barbering TodayToday, barbering has continued to rise as a career path that requires the utmost skill, education, and dedication. Professional educational facilities such as Bellus Academy provide high-quality education to prepare students to successfully enter the field of barbering, covering topics that run the gamut from recent trends to proper techniques.If you\u2019d like to learn more about barbering and how it could be the perfect career path for you, check out the Bellus Academy Barbering Program today.Learn More About Becoming a Licensed BarberImage: Bill Chizek"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Beauty And Wellness Careers","item":"https:\/\/web.bellus.qa.dev-q.com\/beauty-and-wellness-careers\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"The Little-Known History of Barbering","item":"https:\/\/web.bellus.qa.dev-q.com\/beauty-and-wellness-careers\/the-little-known-history-of-barbering\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]