Bohemian vs. Hippie: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on February 19, 2024
Bohemians are associated with artistic or intellectual pursuits and an unconventional lifestyle, while hippies, emerging in the 1960s, emphasized peace, love, and anti-establishment ideals.
Key Differences
The term "Bohemian" historically refers to a lifestyle valuing artistic and intellectual pursuits, often associated with writers, artists, and thinkers. This lifestyle typically involves a disregard for conventional societal norms. On the other hand, "Hippie" describes a youth movement that started in the 1960s, characterized by an anti-establishment ideology, embracing peace, love, and communal living.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 19, 2024
Bohemians are often seen as precursors to other countercultural movements, including hippies. They emerged in 19th century Europe, reflecting a non-traditional lifestyle, often in poverty, dedicated to the arts. Hippies, evolving in the mid-20th century, were more actively engaged in political and social change, protesting against war (notably the Vietnam War) and advocating for environmental and civil rights issues.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 19, 2024
In fashion, Bohemians are known for their eclectic, vintage styles, often influenced by gypsy and Eastern European clothing. Their aesthetic is less about a political statement and more about individual expression through art. Hippies, however, popularized tie-dye, bell-bottoms, and flower power motifs, with their fashion choices symbolizing rebellion against materialism and the conservative norms of the time.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 19, 2024
The Bohemian lifestyle is centered around creativity and the pursuit of artistic expression, often leading to unconventional living situations like communal living or nomadic lifestyles. In contrast, hippies formed communes and emphasized a back-to-nature ethos, experimenting with alternative living arrangements as part of their rejection of mainstream values.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 19, 2024
Bohemian and Hippie movements both value freedom and non-conformity but diverge in their primary focus and historical contexts. Bohemianism is more closely tied to a long-standing artistic tradition, while the Hippie movement specifically arose from a period of political unrest and cultural shifts in the 1960s and 1970s.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 19, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Key Values
Artistic expression, individualism
Peace, love, anti-establishment
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Feb 19, 2024
Fashion Style
Eclectic, vintage, Eastern European
Tie-dye, bell-bottoms, flower motifs
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Feb 19, 2024
Social Focus
Intellectual and artistic pursuits
Political activism, social change
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Feb 19, 2024
Lifestyle Characteristics
Often nomadic or communal, less politically focused
Communal living, back-to-nature ethos, politically active
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 19, 2024
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Bohemian and Hippie Definitions
Bohemian
Bohemian refers to a socially unconventional person, especially one involved in the arts.
The coffee shop was a gathering place for Bohemian poets and musicians.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 19, 2024
Hippie
A Hippie is a member of a counterculture originating in the 1960s, advocating for peace and love.
The hippie wore a peace sign and spoke fervently about anti-war movements.
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Jan 19, 2024
Bohemian
Bohemian sometimes refers to a person of Czech origin, from the historical Bohemia region.
Her family was Bohemian, having roots in the heart of Europe.
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Jan 19, 2024
Hippie
Hippie fashion is characterized by colorful, loose-fitting clothing and symbolic accessories.
She dressed like a hippie for the concert, with tie-dye and flower garlands.
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Jan 19, 2024
Bohemian
Bohemian can describe a non-traditional style of fashion or decor characterized by a mix of influences.
Her Bohemian sense of style was evident in her colorful, eclectic wardrobe.
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Jan 19, 2024
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Hippie
Hippie describes a young person who rejects established social customs, often embracing non-traditional values.
Hippies gathered at the festival to celebrate their shared values of community and harmony.
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Jan 19, 2024
Hippie
Hippie lifestyle includes communal living, environmentalism, and often, an interest in Eastern philosophies.
The hippie commune focused on sustainable living and organic farming.
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Jan 19, 2024
Hippie
Hippie movement participants are known for their opposition to war and consumerism.
As a hippie, he participated in many protests against the Vietnam War.
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Jan 19, 2024
Hippie
A member of a counterculture originating in the United States in the 1960s, typically characterized by unconventional dress and behavior, communal or transient lifestyles, opposition to war, and liberal attitudes toward sexuality and the use of marijuana and psychedelic drugs.
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Jan 18, 2024
Hippie
(1960s slang; still widely used in reference to that era) One who chooses not to conform to prevailing social norms: especially one who subscribes to values or actions such as acceptance or self-practice of recreational drug use, liberal or radical sexual mores, advocacy of communal living, strong pacifism or anti-war sentiment, etc.
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Jan 18, 2024
Bohemian
A person with artistic or literary interests who disregards conventional standards of behavior.
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Jan 18, 2024
Hippie
(modern slang) A person who keeps an unkempt or sloppy appearance and has unusually long hair (for males), and is thus often stereotyped as a deadbeat.
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Jan 18, 2024
Bohemian
Unconventional, especially in habit or dress.
Please tell me you're not one of Toulouse's oh-so-talented, charmingly bohemian, tragically impoverished protégés! -Nicole Kidman, Moulin Rouge!
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Jan 18, 2024
Bohemian
The language of the Czechs (the ancient inhabitants of Bohemia), the richest and most developed of the dialects of the Slavic family.
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Jan 18, 2024
Hippie
Not conforming to generally accepted standards.
They used a bunch of hippie compression formats instead of the usual RAR and ZIP.
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Jan 18, 2024
Bohemian
A restless vagabond; - originally, an idle stroller or gypsy (as in France) thought to have come from Bohemia; in later times often applied to an adventurer in art or literature, of irregular, unconventional habits, questionable tastes, or free morals.
She was of a wild, roving nature, inherited from father and mother, who were both Bohemians by taste and circumstances.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
Hippie
Someone who rejects the established culture, dresses casually, and advocates extreme liberalism in politics and lifestyle. Used especially of those in the late 1960's, mostly in their late teens and early twenties, who conspicuously rejected traditional culture by dressing casually, if male wore their hair long, and wore folksy or used clothing adorned with beads, headbands, and often flowers; they emphasized the importance of love and direct personal relations rather than success-oriented businesslike behavior, strove for spontaneity, sometimes lived communally, and in some cases tried to expand their consciousness by various psychological techniques such as meditation, or through the use of consciousness-altering drugs such as marijuana or LSD. By the end of the Vietnam war in the 1970's, the numbers of people living a visibly hippie lifestyle had dramatically decreased, though some people continue to develop similar views and live with the same outlook.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
Bohemian
A member of a nomadic people originating in northern India and now living on all continents
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Jan 18, 2024
Hippie
Someone who rejects the established culture; advocates extreme liberalism in politics and lifestyle
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Jan 18, 2024
Bohemian
Unconventional in especially appearance and behavior;
A bohemian life style
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Jan 18, 2024
Bohemian
A Bohemian is a person who lives and acts free of regard for conventional rules and practices.
The artist led a Bohemian lifestyle, often moving from place to place.
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Jan 19, 2024
Bohemian
Bohemian is a term applied to individuals who lead avant-garde lifestyles, often artists or writers.
He was known for his Bohemian way of life, frequently hosting salons for intellectuals.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 19, 2024
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What defines a Bohemian?
A Bohemian is someone who leads an unconventional lifestyle, often in the arts.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 19, 2024
Are Bohemians and Hippies the same?
No, while both value non-conformity, they emerged from different historical contexts.
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Feb 19, 2024
What is the origin of the Bohemian movement?
The Bohemian movement originated in 19th century Europe.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 19, 2024
What defines a Hippie?
A Hippie is part of a counterculture movement from the 1960s known for peace, love, and anti-establishment views.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 19, 2024
Did Hippies have a political impact?
Yes, Hippies were influential in anti-war and civil rights movements.
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Feb 19, 2024
Did Hippies influence environmentalism?
Yes, Hippies were early advocates of environmental awareness and sustainable living.
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Feb 19, 2024
What are typical Bohemian fashion elements?
Bohemian fashion includes eclectic, vintage styles with diverse cultural influences.
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Feb 19, 2024
Is Bohemianism associated with a particular profession?
Bohemianism is often associated with artistic and intellectual professions.
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Feb 19, 2024
What are the key values of Hippies?
Key Hippie values include peace, love, communal living, and environmentalism.
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Feb 19, 2024
What was the Hippie movement's peak era?
The Hippie movement peaked in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
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Feb 19, 2024
How did the Hippie movement start?
The Hippie movement started in the 1960s as a youth movement in the United States.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 19, 2024
What is iconic about Hippie fashion?
Hippie fashion is known for its colorful, loose clothing and symbolic accessories like peace signs.
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Feb 19, 2024
What is a Bohemian diet?
There's no specific Bohemian diet; it varies based on individual preferences.
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Feb 19, 2024
Are Hippies still present today?
While the original movement dwindled, its influence persists in various forms.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 19, 2024
Are there modern Bohemians?
Modern Bohemians continue as a subculture focused on artistic and non-traditional lifestyles.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 19, 2024
What legacy did Hippies leave?
Hippies left a legacy of social activism, environmentalism, and cultural influence.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 19, 2024
What kind of lifestyle do Bohemians lead?
Bohemians often lead nomadic or unconventional lifestyles focused on artistic expression.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 19, 2024
Do Bohemians follow societal norms?
Bohemians typically disregard conventional societal norms, favoring individualism.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 19, 2024
What music is associated with Hippies?
Hippie music includes genres like psychedelic rock and folk.
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Feb 19, 2024
What is Bohemian Rhapsody?
"Bohemian Rhapsody" is a famous song by Queen, not directly related to the Bohemian lifestyle.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 19, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.