Beauty and ugliness are concepts that often seem crystal clear to us, but in reality, they are full of nuances and factors. Imagine we are in a museum, surrounded by works of art. Some take our breath away, while others make us frown. Why? Well, the issue of what we consider “beautiful” or “ugly” is more complicated than it seems.
Objective and subjective beauty
We understand that beauty is subjective, so we can clearly consider something ugly even if someone else considers it beautiful. “Beautiful” and “ugly” are not an exact science, and therefore lack objectivity, so we have to be very tolerant of other people's aesthetic tastes. This is without forgetting that there are certain parameters of beauty that almost everyone likes or dislikes in common.
With this in mind, what one person may consider a masterpiece, another may not like at all. This is subject to our personal tastes, our previous experiences, and even the cultural context in which we grew up and currently live. For example, it is well known that while in some cultures more robust figures are seen as symbols of abundance and health, in others slimmer standards are preferred. This clearly shows how our environment can shape our perception.
In addition, there is a biological component to this. Photographic science teaches us that rounded shapes are more appealing to our minds than square or amorphous shapes. That is why most heterosexual men find the body of a slim but curvy woman more attractive than the body of a woman who does not have these characteristics.
But in addition, some studies suggest that certain physical characteristics are universally appreciated by everyone—both men and women—as is the case with symmetry. Most of us don't know it, but we are equipped with an evolutionary sense that leads us to prefer things that indicate health and fertility. Imagine that! Nature seems to have its own code of beauty. So when we see someone with a symmetrical face, our minds tend to consider and relate that to attractiveness. But here's where it gets complicated: beauty is not limited to the physical.
Each person's experiences differ, and so do their perceptions
An experience or a feeling can make something beautiful. Think of the most spectacular sunset: many would consider it beautiful because they associate it with pleasant emotions, memories, and tranquility, but it's all about perception. On the other hand, something that at first glance seems ugly can become beautiful if it has meaning for us. A worn or old object that belongs to a loved one can be perceived as precious and valuable, something we don't want to part with.
Education and the media also play a key role. From an early age, we consume images and messages that teach us what is considered beautiful according to standards. But who has the right to impose those standards? A standard is an acceptable parameter for something. But who determines what is acceptable for each person if not their own perception, experience, and decision?
In our reality, social media constantly tries to define, for example, unattainable standards of beauty. And because of this, it ends up frustrating younger generations who don't want to live trying to become or look a certain way that they don't want to. This situation has brought with it unnecessary social pressure that can distort or alter our perception of beauty. We must not forget that it is very common to see how what is fashionable today may seem outdated tomorrow.
What is considered ugly today according to most standards may not be so tomorrow
Then there is the issue of originality. Sometimes, something that deviates from the conventional may be seen as “ugly” at first, but then be reevaluated as something unique and beautiful. Modern art is a clear example of this; many pieces that were initially rejected at the time are now exhibited and celebrated as great works.
This leads us to the conclusion that beauty and ugliness can be ephemeral and changeable elements and therefore should not determine the value of something, but rather be seen for what they are: expressions of particular tastes from specific periods. Van Gogh's paintings were not worth a penny while the painter was alive, only to be worth millions of dollars years and centuries after his death. In his time, these works, which are now worth millions, were misunderstood and considered ugly, or poor imitations of art; but over the years, new generations began to understand them and consider them masterpieces.
Finally, the connection we feel with something can also determine its particular beauty for us. Shared experiences with friends or loved ones around certain places or things can transform them into something beautiful in our eyes, regardless of their objective appearance.
So when others try to impose values or standards of beauty on us that don't match our own, we shouldn't feel bad. Let's remember that what we consider beautiful or ugly is a mixture of personal, cultural, biological, and emotional factors. The next time you look at something and feel that it is “ugly” or “beautiful,” remember that there is much more behind that simple label. Perhaps what seems ugly today is actually waiting to be discovered in all its beauty!
