The Hippie Era Cordially Explained

The hippie movement was started in the 1960's timeframe. Hippie derived from the terms hipster and hip. Hipster first referred to some beatniks who moved into the Haight-Ashbury region of San Francisco. They set up their own communities, indulged in the sexual revolution, listened to primarily psychedelic rock, and used drugs to expand their mind and conscious.

Appearance

Hippies felt that by choosing their own ways and finding new meanings to life they were freeing themselves from the restrictions of society. One form of independent expression was dressing differently from the societal norms. Hippies saw the way they dressed as a symbol of respect for individual rights, and it made it easier for them to identify each other.

Hippies of both genders commonly wore jeans and had long hair. They generally wore sandals or no shoes at all. The women didn't work much makeup, if any, and the men had beards. Most female hippies also did not wear bras. Hippies wore tie-dyed shirts and Native American inspired clothing. Hippies were known for making their own clothes, but when they didn't they were known for buying clothes at second-hand shops or flea markets.

The Hippie Code Of Transportation

Hippies primarily traveled by hitchhiking and driving school busses or VW busses. They were known for painting their busses with psychedelic art. Hippies liked to travel in busses because they could take a lot of their friends with them when they traveled. A lot of hippies changed the Volkswagen symbol on VW busses to peace symbols. Some hippies preferred hitchhiking because they saw it as a way to meet new people, plus it was environmentally friendly, and economical.

Hippies took part in doing drugs and hallucinogens. The thought that by doing drugs they would enhance their spirit and expand their mind. Cannabis, or marijuana, was the most commonly used drug by the hippies. Hippies also took hallucinogens like LSD, psilocybin, and mescaline. Opiates and amphetamines were other drugs taken by hippies, but even users of them began to scorn them because they saw them as addictive and harmful.

Hippies believed in pacifistic ideals and peace. Groups of hippies participated in non-violent political demonstrations. Hippies performed protests, held anti-Vietnam War demonstrations, took part in civil rights marches, and burned draft cards. Some hippies were known for their peace demonstrations while others preferred anti-authority and street theater demonstrations. Hippies took part in political movements such as the free press movement, back to land movement, alternative energy, cooperative business enterprises, and organic farming.

Today there are still a large number of hippies. Protests and anti-war parades are still held by hippies and other people. Hippies still attend and hold festivals, some which have been around since the first hippies originated. The Starwood Festival and the Burning Man festival are two major festivals that have been held since the 1960's and still go on today. Hippie fashion from the 1960's is still being used today. Music created by and listened to by hippies is still popular in today's society. The lifestyle of the hippies is still around to this day and is likely to continue for sometime.

Article Source: http://www.articleselections.com

Find out more on Woodstock Videos and trance music.

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated