The Beard of Rameses VI

Abstract

The beard first appeared in Egyptian iconography in the Early Dynastic period on the Narmer palette and remained a common feature thereafter. The pharaoh, as a god on earth, was a personification of perfection. Always crisp and clean-shaven, he represented both the Egyptian nation and divine power. His fake beard, which was attached with ribbons and was clearly visible on his images and reliefs, was one of the elements indicating his divine nature.Ordinary people also grew beards or moustaches. We can see stubble on the faces of men mostly engaged in physical work on a number of images on the walls of tombs. However, in these cases, the facial hair would not have indicated any godly qualities.Nevertheless, some depictions of the pharaoh are similar to those of simple men in that he also possesses stubble. This is most clearly seen on a number of ostracons from Deir el-Medina. However, if the pharaoh has stubble, its significance is quite different. Very few such unshaven images are known and published and only a small number of these are official depictions. The final such image that will be considered is the one found in KV 9 belonging to Pharaoh Rameses VI.