---
node: garment_postiche
type: garment
slug: postiche
title: "False beard (postiche)"
lead: "The false beard, or postiche, is the plaited ceremonial beard of ancient Egyptian kings and gods, strapped to the chin as a sign of authority and divinity. Even queens who ruled as pharaoh wore it."
published: 2026-08-10
updated: 2026-08-10
image_file: postiche.jpg
image_source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Egypt_Barbe_Postiche.jpg"
image_author: "Aoineko at French Wikipedia"
image_license: "CC BY-SA 3.0"
---

## Overview

A postiche is an artificial beard of plaited or woven hair, held on by cords looped over the ears, worn although Egyptian men were normally clean-shaven. The king's beard was straight; a god's, like that of Osiris, curled up at the tip.

## How it is worn

It is strapped to the chin over a smooth-shaven face and worn with the crowns and the nemes on ceremonial occasions, a badge of the office rather than a real beard. Hatshepsut, ruling as king, is shown wearing the royal beard like her male predecessors.

## History

The false beard is seen from the earliest dynasties and throughout Egyptian kingship, tying the living pharaoh to the gods and to Osiris in death. It remains one of the most recognisable emblems of the Egyptian ruler, as on the mask of Tutankhamun.