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A Note on THE BEARDED LADY
In the middle ages, statues of a bearded woman were common in churches all over Europe. Known in England as, Saint Uncumber, This bearded icon became a beacon for women who wanted to rid themselves of abusive husbands. The story goes that Uncumber prayed for a beard to avoid marriage; the beard scared off her suitor, but unfortunately, her father then had her crucified. Women would lay ears of wheat at her statue as prayers for liberation.
A symbol of hope at a time when a woman was her husband's property, I believe that, in these days of gender fluidity and hipster beards, this androgynous icon is due a comeback.
In the middle ages, statues of a bearded woman were common in churches all over Europe. Known in England as, Saint Uncumber, This bearded icon became a beacon for women who wanted to rid themselves of abusive husbands. The story goes that Uncumber prayed for a beard to avoid marriage; the beard scared off her suitor, but unfortunately, her father then had her crucified. Women would lay ears of wheat at her statue as prayers for liberation.
A symbol of hope at a time when a woman was her husband's property, I believe that, in these days of gender fluidity and hipster beards, this androgynous icon is due a comeback.