Why are witches depicted as ugly?

Answer 1

Witches are not always ugly. This is one of many widespread false beliefs about witches. Witches and Wiccans are normal individuals who are no different from other individuals in every community.

Answer 2

Images of witches came about as strictly Commercial ventures, e.g. someone made it up to make money. For example, when we look at Halloween decorations, witches typically have features like:

• wicked eyes
• high forehead
• long black hair
• long crooked nose
• black clothing
• pointy hat
• a broom or staff
• a yellow moon above the woman
• a black cat (which gave black cats a bad reputation).

However, no where is there a scientific or factual account of what a witch "should" look like or what witches wear. If you look at the Salem Witch Trials, most women burned at the stake were just normal looking females. Most had angered church leaders. Some were accused of being witches only because they acted different, wouldn't follow men's rules, or "disobeyed" men's authority. Some women dared to be outspoken.

The sterotypes associated with witches (IF witches even exist) should be banned because, like with this question, the images give the impression that women can be defined by their looks and appearance.