The Norse pagah beard, also known as the Viking beard, is a style of facial hair popularized by the ancient Norse pagans. This iconic beard style is characterized by its long length, often reaching the chest or even longer, and its thick and untamed appearance. The Norse pagah beard holds great cultural significance among the Vikings. It is believed to symbolize masculinity, strength, and wisdom. In Norse mythology, it is said that the god Odin, known for his wisdom and knowledge, had a long and flowing beard that inspired men to grew their own. Maintaining a Norse pagah beard requires dedication and patience.
“Why doesn't he make them cart dung over his beard that he may be like other men? Let us call him "the beardless carle" but his sons we will call “dung-beardlings.”
In Atlakviða The Lay of Atli specifically, a direct association is made between beards and warriors, with stanza 34 stating Long-bearded, bold, the warriors entered. Once I present my memorandum for record and cite all of the applicable regulations and directives, the focus on the beard tends to go away, for the most part, he said in the release.
Maintaining a Norse pagah beard requires dedication and patience. It is essential to allow the beard to grow without trimming or shaping it for an extended period. This process can often lead to a wild and untamed appearance, reflecting the Viking spirit and connection to nature.
A ‘defining feature of masculine men’ — soldier’s Norse pagan faith earns beard waiver
A soldier serving in Afghanistan with the Nevada Army Guard has been granted a religious accommodation to grow a beard in accordance with a Norse pagan faith that traces its origins to Scandinavia. Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Hopper, a 34-year-old Alabama native and member of the Nevada Army Guard’s 3665th Ordnance Company, was granted the waiver following a lengthy review process that concluded with the Army’s acknowledgement of his sincerity as a heathen.
Hopper’s exemption is the latest example of the military’s effort — most notably the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force — to acknowledge the diverse religious practices represented in its ranks. The first such accommodation came in 2017 following years of beard-exemption requests and legal pressure from Sikh soldiers seeking to preserve religious traditions while wearing a U.S. uniform. Then, in November 2018, Staff Sgt. Abdul Rahman Gaitan became the first Muslim airman to be granted the exemption in observance of the tenets of his faith. Because the 2017 directive is technically applicable to all religions, final judgement is often left to individual leadership to discern authentic exemption request from insincere.
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The faith rooted in Norse myths is experiencing a resurgence.
Further blurring the beard waiver criteria is that while Norse paganism encourages the growth of a beard, or “skegg,” the religion doesn’t require it. The Open Halls Project, an advocacy group for heathens serving in the military, sought to clarify any existing confusion in a 2017 post about beard exemptions. “There is no religious requirement for beards in Heathenry,” the post read. “Sikhs are allowed to wear beards and turbans because it actually is a religious requirement of their faith that they do so. Kesh, or ‘uncut hair’ is one of the five religious requirements of baptized Sikhs. We, as Heathens, have no such religious requirement with regards to hair.” No matter the religious requirements, the Army interpreted Hopper’s request as genuine.
“My personal faith is deeply tied to the modern warrior lifestyle that I have been able to live during my military career,” said Hopper, adding that the beard has never hindered his ability to put mission first. “In short, it is honoring the pillars of heathenism, our ancestors and ancient gods and way of life.” Hopper, like service members who have sought exemptions before, was advised to meet with a chaplain to present his case. Chaplains cannot officially approve or deny requests, but recommendations based on perceived sincerity can be made on the service member’s behalf. “The chaplain corps will work with any military member to aid them in a genuine pursuit of an accommodation,” Joint Force State Chaplain Maj. Donald Crandell said. “However, we are not actively promoting a trend in this direction or seeking to normalize it.”
But a trend, as minimal as it may be, has certainly been stirring among the rank-and-file. The already-growing list of religious exemption requests inflated earlier this year when Spc. John Hoskins applied for a beard exemption as part of his proclaimed devotion to the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster — a faith also known as “Pastafarianism.”
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The importance of one’s hair or beard can never be understated.
“This request is based on my deeply and sincerely held belief in the Pastafarian faith,” Hoskins wrote in his request to the Army. “It is my personally held belief that growing a beard will bring me closer to my God and bring me into his favor.” This time the Army declined, but only after Hoskins’ request made it all the way to the desk of a deputy chief of staff.
“The Army takes pride in sustaining a culture where all personnel are treated with dignity and respect and not discriminated against based on race, color, religion, gender and national origin,” Cathy Brown Vandermaarel, an Army spokeswoman, told Army Times when asked about the decision to deny Hoskins’ request. “While we cannot speak to the specifics of any particular case, religious accommodation can be disapproved if it is determined that the request is not based on a sincerely held religious belief or if the accommodation would create a specific hazard that cannot be reasonably mitigated.” In Afghanistan, meanwhile, Hopper keeps his waiver on him at all times in case any superiors question the facial feature he refers to as a “sacred and defining feature of masculine men.” Regulations specify a beard can be no longer than 2 inches in length. “Once I present my memorandum for record and cite all of the applicable regulations and directives, the focus on the beard tends to go away, for the most part,” he said in the release. “I see it as a phase very similar to when the Army authorized the wear of black socks during the fitness test. It is something new and authorized, and you will always encounter people who do not like change. “That is just life.”
Observation Post is the Military Times one-stop shop for all things off-duty. Stories may reflect author observations.
We believe our Gods are good. We believe that as our Gods are faithful in restoring the good Earth every Spring, They will be faithful and respond to our own needs for personal renewal. As the Gods are faithful in providing us the fruits of the bough, the vine and the earth, we can hope in Them giving us what we need to restore ourselves. We have faith that our Gods return “a gift for a gift” and that if we sacrifice to Them, They will return with a gift to us. They will protect us. They will sustain us. They will renew us.
The pagah beard was not limited to Vikings. Many other Germanic tribes, such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Goths, also embraced the beard style. This shows that the pagah beard was not just a fashion statement, but a cultural marker that transcended geographical boundaries. In modern times, the Norse pagah beard has made a resurgence in popularity. Many men are embracing this historic and powerful beard style as a way to connect with their Viking heritage or simply to make a bold fashion statement. It is often seen as a symbol of individuality and non-conformity, challenging traditional ideas of masculinity and grooming. However, growing and maintaining a Norse pagah beard is not without its challenges. It requires regular grooming and care to prevent issues such as itching, dandruff, and split ends. Many men use beard oils, balms, and combs to keep their pagah beard looking healthy and well-maintained. Overall, the Norse pagah beard represents a powerful symbol of Viking culture and heritage. It is a testament to the strength, wisdom, and individuality of those who choose to grow and embrace this iconic beard style..
Reviews for "The Role of the Norse Pagan Beard in Ritual Performances and Ceremonies"
- Jennifer - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the Norse pagah beard. The quality was very poor, and it looked nothing like the picture advertised. The color was completely off, and it was so uncomfortable to wear. I ended up returning it and getting a refund. Don't waste your money on this product.
- Michael - 1 star - The Norse pagah beard was a total letdown. It arrived damaged and the fibers were falling out as soon as I took it out of the package. The adhesive provided did not stick well, and the whole thing looked fake and unconvincing. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone looking for a realistic and durable beard.
- Emily - 2 stars - I expected more from the Norse pagah beard. The fit was not adjustable, so it didn't stay in place properly and kept shifting throughout the day. It also had a strange smell that was very unpleasant. Overall, it was uncomfortable to wear and didn't achieve the desired effect. I would recommend looking for an alternative option.