HIPPIES
We have seen representations of hippies for forever, but who really were these people and what did they believe in? While hippies are often synonymous with Vietnam protests and the anti-war movement, these were actually usually two separate groups. Hippies prioritized building community, spiritual enlightenment, and sex and drugs. They sought to reject the mainstream culture-the culture of their parents and the 1950s- rejected materialism and institutionalized religion, all for the purpose of achieving a higher level of spiritual consciousness.
One of the ways in which they sought spiritual enlightenment was drugs, specifically "mind expanding" ones like weed, LSD, and peyote. Timothy Leary was a massive advocate for the enlightening properties of LSD, and he is referenced often in "Hair."
"Hair" was named for this iconic symbol of the hippies: their long hair, which was affectionally called their "freak flag." To them, it symbolized rejection of discrimination and constrictive societal rules. It symbolized equality between men and women and true liberation.
Nudity was also a large aspect of hippie culture, and it also symbolized liberation, naturalism, and openness. The naked body and sexuality were viewed as beautiful things that are not meant to be covered up but celebrated and appreciated.
It's important to note that a lot of hippie culture appropriated others, whether it was Native American culture (tribes, beads, rituals), East-Asian religions, African drums, etc. Most hippies were privileged, white, middle class people that eventually became the very thing they initially despised. The youth counterculture collapsed as these hippies grew up, started families, and economically could no longer live against societal institutions.
Some more resources are below: