In the Middle Ages, baldness was often seen as a sign of wisdom and maturity, as well as a symbol of religious devotion. Monks, who often shaved their heads, were highly respected for their piety and learning, and baldness came to be associated with these qualities. However, for non-religious individuals, especially those in positions of power, baldness could be viewed as a sign of weakness or declining virility. Nevertheless, hair loss treatments were not widely available at the time, and people generally accepted their appearance as determined by nature and genetics.