What Jesus looked like.

Penguin · 07-13-2006, 02:38 PM

The only reference that I know of about the appearance of Jesus is that he definately had long hair or what was perceived to be too long a hair for his culture and time. We know he would definitely have been olive skinned (due to his origin & also being able to be hidden in Egypt in his infant years without looking conspicuous) and would have had a face that would have been a bit older than his time due to the heat and conditions in that part of the world at that time. I’m sure a lot of you may have seen the picture below that was created on a BBC documentary using a genuine jewish 1st century skull and then the flesh structure of a medium built man being added with the jewish look of wearing the beard, the slighty longer hair growth inserted and finally the weathering on the face. In my opinion this is the most realistic reconstruction of what Jesus may have looked like and I do feel a sense of calmness & sadness when I look at it. People have said to me before “it doesn’t matter what he looked like, it’s belief that’s the most important factor” and I agree but none the less it would be nice to know other people opinions on this picture. Many thanks.

Quahom1 · 07-18-2006, 04:51 PM

Here is a good thread that might stimulate your thoughts...

v/r

Q

http://www.comparative-religion.com/...ions-5371.html

Penguin · 07-19-2006, 11:53 AM

Hi Quahom,
Thanks for the link reference. They are in themselves nice images but they portray jesus as being white again. I have always thought the main reason for him being portrayed as white looking was catholics wanting him to appear this way in images as they didn’t want him to look his true skin pigmentation, that it was more “acceptable” for him to look this way. It is impossible for him not to have been olive skinned/arab looking, and also, as well as he had long hair it would have been quite a tight, curly sort of style similar to the jewish tradition of wearing it but longer. His hair wouldn’t have been the long, thin, flowing type depicted in a lot of images, as again, it wouldn’t have been in his make up to have this sort of hair. What I want to know I guess is where exactly this essential image of jesus having to appear to be white looking came from? Was it catholics changing things or something else? I know people would say it’s irrelevant but I would like to know for myself . Many thanks.

Quahom1 · 07-19-2006, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penguin

Hi Quahom,
Thanks for the link reference. They are in themselves nice images but they portray jesus as being white again. I have always thought the main reason for him being portrayed as white looking was catholics wanting him to appear this way in images as they didn’t want him to look his true skin pigmentation, that it was more “acceptable” for him to look this way. It is impossible for him not to have been olive skinned/arab looking, and also, as well as he had long hair it would have been quite a tight, curly sort of style similar to the jewish tradition of wearing it but longer. His hair wouldn’t have been the long, thin, flowing type depicted in a lot of images, as again, it wouldn’t have been in his make up to have this sort of hair. What I want to know I guess is where exactly this essential image of jesus having to appear to be white looking came from? Was it catholics changing things or something else? I know people would say it’s irrelevant but I would like to know for myself . Many thanks.

Dude, I'm of Irish heritage, and my skin is a ruddy color, but I'm called "white". Spanish, Italian, French, Maltese, all have a kind of "olive" skin, but they are called "white" Arabs and Israelies have a similar complexion to the afore mentioned ethnics, why wouldn't they be called "white" ?

Maybe you mean "lily white"? The only persons I know that fit that mold are Albinos...

As far as why Jesus is painted as "white" is most likely due to the fact that we tend to make "God" in our own image. That is we identify with a "God" that resembles us. It is a comfort thing I suppose.

my thoughts

v/r

Q

BlaznFattyz · 07-19-2006, 07:34 PM

since jesus comes from the line of David, i assume it possible that he was very handsome and had reddish hair. for certain his appearance would make him stand out that he came from a certain region as a jew.