why is the apostle paul always drawn balding?

Answer 1

In depictions of the Apostles Peter and Paul, going all the way back to the second century, Peter is always depicted as having a full head of white hair, and Paul is always depicted (as you rightly point out) as balding.

There are several depictions of Peter and Paul dating from the second century made by different people in different lands, and yet, they all bear a striking resemblence to one another. This leads historians to believe that these depictions were based on first hand knowledge of what the Apostles actually looked like.

So the answer to your question is, Paul is depicted as balding because best evidence indicates that he was in fact going bald.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

It is simply the traditional way in which he is depicted. Education was not that widely available in antiquity and the public had to be able to recognise the saints. They are all depicted in specific ways and many have symbols of their martyrdom present with them in the paintings. Saint Paul is usually aged and balding, Saint Gerome, an old man in the wilderness sometimes with a lion, Saint Catherine with the wheel, Mary Magdalene with an ointment jar, Saint John the Evangelist, young and feminine etc.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

The Apostle had naughtysubjects, and while trying to get to their brains, Paul had to continuously scratch his head, and in the process he was left bald. Only when his hair disapeared, his true worth appeared. Hence his trademark bald head.

Answer 4

I think it may have been because he came to be a follower of Christ later in life - he'd already had a full career and had lived much of his time on Earth already. Perhaps the balding is just another way of emphasizing this fact.

Answer 5

To clearly show that Paul was a Christian - - - if he was a Jew he would be wearing a Yarmulke - - - by showing Paul as Bald it was clear he was not a Jew. IN time monks Catholic monks shaved their heads as a sign that they had no vanity. It also made sense in an age when lice were endemic.

Answer 6

Perhaps, as some answers have pointed out, it was to differentiate him from Peter. Or perhaps it was to show his age, and hence, his wisdom. Both of these are plausible answers, and were, perhaps, used in conjunction with one another.

Answer 7

I don't know but maybe he was going to be a bald and beautiful guy!!

Answer 8

I think his discription is in the bible, he also walked with a limp and was nearsighted so the verses seem to indicate.

Answer 9

Because, perhaps, he affected a tonsure. See below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonsure