History of Piercing
Around the world, people have viewed the human body as a unique canvas for decoration and embellishment. Throughout human history, body piercing has been practiced by many cultures. From septum piercing in New Guinea to navel piercing in ancient Egypt, piercing is an integral part of many culture's physical and spiritual identity.
Our earliest evidence of body piercing dates back to 9th century BC; a stone relief from Nimrud, Iraq shows a male with a pierced ear. Evidence isn't just limited to artistic depictions. The world's oldest mummified body, proven to be over 5,000 years old, had an ear piercing from 7-11 mm in diameter.
Cultural significance of piercings
The reasons for body piercings are as diverse as their cultures. Mayan nobleman performed ritual tongue piercing and bloodletting to facilitate their communication with gods. In Tibet, a particular gold earring worn in the left ear identifies a man as a high government official. New Guinea warriors wore large tusks through the septum to produce a fierce appearance.
Examples of cultural reasons behind piercing include:
- Indicate affiliation to a clan or tribe
- Indicate status, success, or social ranking
- Indicate a rite of passage
- Ward off evil and illness
- Attain magical powers
- Appear fierce to enemies
- Enhance sexual stimulation
- Enhance appearance/ attractiveness
Ear piercing
A woman from the Aleutian Islands had 10 sea lion whiskers pierced into each ear before she was given to her husband in marriage. Sea lion whiskers were valuable trophies that indicated successful hunting. The piercing indicated that she was marrying a good hunter.
Septum piercing
Septum piercing is quite popular among warrior cultures in Irian Jaya, New Guinea, and Solomon Island. Warriors wore tusks through their septum to appear more fierce and intimidating. In Iria Jaya, the most prestigious septum tusk was a large bone plug (from the leg bone of a pig) that could be as thick as 25mm!
Nose piercing
Nose piercing is a common sight in India today, but nose ornaments arrived in India only sometime in the 15th or 16th century. Although the most common type of nose piercing seen today is a stud, special mention should be made of the "bulak." This u-shaped ring is worn between the nostrils by local Dogra woman. Covering most of the cheek and mouth, it is the largest nose-ring worn in the country. Brides in North India also wear this type of nose ring- which must be lifted up to eat!
Labret piercing
Labret piercing was a common practice among the Mesoamerican people from 600-900 AD. They practiced ritual piercing of the bottom lip- up to 1 inch in diameter. These blood-letting ceremonies gave men a higher status within the community. By cutting the ear, they were opening it to hear the gods' revelations and by cutting the tongue, they would be able to communicate. An ornamental labret plug was worn after the ceremony. These were quite elaborate- solid gold carvings, jade with inlaid gold, and crystal with gold, bone, and turquoise.
Navel piercing
Navel piercing does not seem as common throughout history as nose, ear, or lip piercing.
It seems to be a relatively modern trend- popularized by Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington. Records of belly piercing do date back to ancient Egypt, where the royal family had pierced belly buttons and wore gold rings in their navels.
Our earliest evidence of body piercing dates back to 9th century BC; a stone relief from Nimrud, Iraq shows a male with a pierced ear. Evidence isn't just limited to artistic depictions. The world's oldest mummified body, proven to be over 5,000 years old, had an ear piercing from 7-11 mm in diameter.
Cultural significance of piercings
The reasons for body piercings are as diverse as their cultures. Mayan nobleman performed ritual tongue piercing and bloodletting to facilitate their communication with gods. In Tibet, a particular gold earring worn in the left ear identifies a man as a high government official. New Guinea warriors wore large tusks through the septum to produce a fierce appearance.
Examples of cultural reasons behind piercing include:
- Indicate affiliation to a clan or tribe
- Indicate status, success, or social ranking
- Indicate a rite of passage
- Ward off evil and illness
- Attain magical powers
- Appear fierce to enemies
- Enhance sexual stimulation
- Enhance appearance/ attractiveness
Ear piercing
A woman from the Aleutian Islands had 10 sea lion whiskers pierced into each ear before she was given to her husband in marriage. Sea lion whiskers were valuable trophies that indicated successful hunting. The piercing indicated that she was marrying a good hunter.
Septum piercing
Septum piercing is quite popular among warrior cultures in Irian Jaya, New Guinea, and Solomon Island. Warriors wore tusks through their septum to appear more fierce and intimidating. In Iria Jaya, the most prestigious septum tusk was a large bone plug (from the leg bone of a pig) that could be as thick as 25mm!
Nose piercing
Nose piercing is a common sight in India today, but nose ornaments arrived in India only sometime in the 15th or 16th century. Although the most common type of nose piercing seen today is a stud, special mention should be made of the "bulak." This u-shaped ring is worn between the nostrils by local Dogra woman. Covering most of the cheek and mouth, it is the largest nose-ring worn in the country. Brides in North India also wear this type of nose ring- which must be lifted up to eat!
Labret piercing
Labret piercing was a common practice among the Mesoamerican people from 600-900 AD. They practiced ritual piercing of the bottom lip- up to 1 inch in diameter. These blood-letting ceremonies gave men a higher status within the community. By cutting the ear, they were opening it to hear the gods' revelations and by cutting the tongue, they would be able to communicate. An ornamental labret plug was worn after the ceremony. These were quite elaborate- solid gold carvings, jade with inlaid gold, and crystal with gold, bone, and turquoise.
Navel piercing
Navel piercing does not seem as common throughout history as nose, ear, or lip piercing.
It seems to be a relatively modern trend- popularized by Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington. Records of belly piercing do date back to ancient Egypt, where the royal family had pierced belly buttons and wore gold rings in their navels.
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