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In some cultures, men who grow mustaches are believed to attract bad luck or misfortune.

The Mustache Curse: Facial Hair and Misfortune

Details

This superstition discourages men from growing mustaches due to the belief that facial hair—specifically a mustache—attracts bad luck, deteriorates one’s fortune, or interferes with personal harmony. It is sometimes associated with fears of vanity or moral laxity. The belief may also stem from cultural rituals or norms connecting clean-shaven faces with purity or honesty. In regions where this belief persists, men might shave regularly as a preventative measure, especially before important life events like weddings, job interviews, or public ceremonies, where luck and appearance are considered pivotal.

Historical Context

The superstition likely arises from societal norms that linked facial hair to rebellion, mystique, or moral ambiguity, particularly in conservative societies. In parts of 19th and early 20th-century Eastern Europe and Asia, being clean-shaven was associated with discipline, modernity, or spiritual cleanliness, while facial hair — especially stylized mustaches — was sometimes linked to deceit or arrogance. Superstitions around mustaches may have developed from these rigid societal expectations and the human tendency to attribute personal misfortune to symbolic personal choices such as grooming habits.

Modern Relevance

Today, very few regions still adhere to this superstition explicitly, though echoes of it remain in certain formal or religious communities where facial hair might carry implicit meanings. In contemporary society, facial hair is more often viewed as a fashion statement or cultural identity marker. However, traditional beliefs may still persist among older generations or in isolated rural populations. Online forums and anecdotal accounts occasionally reference this superstition, especially in connection with ceremonial grooming or public reputation. Nonetheless, belief in facial hair attracting bad luck has largely diminished in the face of modern cultural norms.

Sources

Guiley, Rosemary Ellen. Encyclopedia of Superstitions (2008)

Quick Facts

Historical Period

19th Century Eastern Europe (requires further research for origin)

Practice Type

Preventive Action

Classification

Bad Luck Superstition

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