The Evolution of Long Hair for Men: From Vikings to Modern Style

Long hair on men isn’t new — not by a long shot. For centuries, warriors, leaders, artists, and everyday guys used ties, pins, and clips to keep their hair in check. Today’s trend of long hair for men isn’t a fad; it’s a reboot of what men have been doing forever.

What has changed is the quality of the gear. Instead of flimsy elastics, guys now have access to heavy-duty men’s hair clips built with real design in mind. The Hair Forge leans into that history — taking inspiration from rugged, masculine aesthetics like swords, axes, and fish skeletons — and creating accessories that don’t feel borrowed or dainty.

Pop culture didn’t invent long hair on men — it just popularized it again. The real history stretches back thousands of years and across every corner of the world. Long hair has been around for men across history, cultures and eras.

Long hair has always meant something.

Ancient Civilizations

• Vikings wore long, braided hair as a symbol of strength and identity. Warriors often used bone or metal clips — yes, actual men’s hair accessories — to keep it battle-ready.
  
  

• Samurai in Japan tied their hair into topknots (chonmage) that reflected rank and discipline.
  
  

• Native American tribes often wore long hair as a sign of cultural identity, spiritual strength, and connection to heritage.
  
  

• Ancient Greeks, including heroes like Achilles, embraced long, flowing hair as a sign of beauty and nobility.
  
  

Religious and Philosophical Traditions

• Sikhs maintain uncut hair (kesh), often tying or wrapping it as a symbol of strength, spirituality, and respect.
  
  

• Norse pagans believed hair held personal power and energy.
  
  

• Medieval monks shaved the crown but kept longer hair around the edges as part of ritual symbolism.
  
  

Warriors and Military Figures

• Scottish Highland warriors and clansmen were known for long, wild hair bound by cords or leather ties during battle.
  
  

• Chinese generals during the Han and Tang dynasties wore long hair tied into structured wraps or knots.
  
  

• Zulu warriors used elaborate hair styling to show readiness for war or social status.
  
  

Artists, Poets, and Intellectuals

• The Romantic era practically required long hair — think Byron, Shelley, Beethoven.
  
  

• Renaissance men grew their hair long as a sign of sophistication and thoughtfulness.
  
  

The Modern Timeline

1900s–1930s: Short hair becomes fashionable in the West due to industrial work and military norms.
1960s–70s: Counterculture brings long hair roaring back — Lennon, Hendrix, Morrison.
1980s: Metal bands and glam rockers take it to operatic levels.
1990s: Grunge makes long hair low-maintenance and iconic again.
2000s: A dip — short hair becomes dominant again.
2010s–Today: Long hair returns with strength: athletes, actors, influencers, creators, and professionals embrace it without hesitation.

Across continents and centuries, the symbolism stayed consistent:
Long hair = individuality, power, identity, freedom, rebellion, or spirituality.

It was never “unmanly.”
It was often the opposite.

Today’s long-haired men are carrying a lineage that spans warriors, philosophers, artists, and leaders. And modern tools like The Hair Forge’s men’s hair clips line up with that legacy — strong, expressive, and built for men who know who they are.