Introduction
The concept of beauty is as ancient as the history of humankind. Throughout time, changing cultures, religious beliefs, philosophical thoughts, and social needs have shaped this concept in different ways. Sometimes beauty was sought in full figures, sometimes in slender fingers, and other times in spiritual depth. In this article, we will explore the historical development of the concept of beauty — from ancient civilizations to modern times — using the SAIT format: Social, Academic, Investigative, and Theoretical perspectives.
I. Ideals of Beauty in the Ancient World
1.1. Egypt: Symmetry and Divine Appearance
In Ancient Egypt, beauty was measured by symmetry, skin tone, and the shape of the eyes. A beautiful appearance was considered a divine attribute and was seen as important for the afterlife.
Women emphasized their eyes with black “kohl” and used balms to protect their skin.
Pharaohs and nobles idealized symmetrical body structures and orderly facial features.
1.2. Greece and Rome: Body and Proportion
In Ancient Greece, beauty was associated with both body proportion and moral virtues. For Plato, beauty was “a reflection of divine order,” while Aristotle described it through harmony and measured form.
Greek sculptors aimed to create ideal forms of the human body.
In Roman times, the ideal became more worldly — clean skin, tidy hair, and elegant clothing became standards of beauty.
II. The Middle Ages: Spiritual Beauty and Modesty
2.1. Aesthetic Perception in Christianity and Islam
In the Middle Ages, the concept of beauty took on a more spiritual meaning. In Christianity, inner purity and piety were more valued than outward appearance.
In Islamic culture, beauty was considered a reflection of the perfection created by Allah. The hadith “Allah is beautiful and loves beauty” reinforces this view.
Calligraphy, ornamental patterns, and architecture were key expressions of Islamic aesthetics.
Covering the body, for both men and women, was considered a way of preserving beauty and practicing modesty.
2.2. Concealment of Beauty
During this era, being beautiful was sometimes seen as dangerous — outward attractiveness was thought to provoke desire and sin. As a result, beauty was often expressed symbolically, metaphorically, and indirectly.
III. Renaissance: Human-Centered Beauty
3.1. The Celebration of the Body
With the Renaissance, the human body returned to the center of aesthetics. Body proportions, anatomical precision, and color perception became central themes in art.
Leonardo da Vinci’s “Vitruvian Man” presented a mathematical and aesthetic model of ideal human proportions.
In women, full figures, luminous skin, and pale tones were considered ideal.
3.2. Unity of Aesthetics and Intellect
During this period, beauty was not only visual but also intellectual and ethical. A beautiful person was expected to be educated, cultured, and creative.
IV. Modern Era: Beauty Shaped by Industry and Media
4.1. Fashion and Magazine Beauty
In the 20th century, technology, cinema, and fashion led to the mass standardization of beauty.
Icons like Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn became symbols of feminine beauty.
Fashion magazines, advertising models, and Hollywood stars created new aesthetic ideals.
4.2. Media and Aesthetic Pressure
Mass media did not merely reflect beauty standards — it imposed them:
Thinness, perfect facial features, symmetry, and eternal youth became the cultural norm.
This led to psychological tension, body image disorders, and increased interest in cosmetic surgeries.
V. Postmodern Beauty: Diversity, Uniqueness, and Defying Norms
5.1. Democratization of Beauty
In recent times, the concept of beauty has become more inclusive and personal. The universal “ideal” beauty standard is giving way to diversity:
Non-traditional appearances, different body types, and ethnic aesthetics are gaining attention.
Social media has become a powerful platform for sharing diverse beauty narratives.
5.2. Embracing “Imperfection”
Postmodern aesthetics challenge the idea of flawlessness. Asymmetry, naturalness, intimacy, and unique features are now celebrated.
Body positivity and self-love movements have transformed perceptions of the body.
Non-standard facial features, aged skin, and distinct physiological traits are increasingly accepted and even promoted.
Conclusion
Aesthetic perception and the concept of beauty have continuously evolved throughout history, taking on different meanings and forms in each era. The symmetry and divine harmony of ancient times, the spiritual values of the Middle Ages, the bodily ideals of the Renaissance, the media icons of modernism, and the diversity of postmodernism all prove that beauty is not merely form — it is deeply tied to meaning, values, time, and culture.
True beauty is timeless — for it is perceived not just with the eyes, but also with the mind and the soul.