A Brief History Behind Every Body Piercing

Body piercing has been practiced way back since ancient times. And in every culture, every body piercing has its purposes and significant value in that society.

Ear Piercing

The most commonplace for piercing is the earlobe. Before, it once distinguished a wealthy person from the poor. But today, it is simply the most popular way to display a piercing jewelry.

Long ago, sailors believed that they could get better eyesight by piercing their ears. And also, the Romans associated it with a person's wealth. African and South American tribes pierce their ears and stretch the holes. In their culture, the bigger the hole signifies a higher social standing.

Nose Piercing

Nostril piercing is believed to have originated from the Middle-East about 4000 years ago. Then it slowly spread into India during the 16th century in which the practice was adopted into the noble castes. The type and quality of the worn jewelry could distinguish the bearer by caste and social status.

Tongue Piercing

The Shamans and High Priests of the ancient temples of the Aztecs and Mayans practiced tongue piercing as part of a ritual to speak to their gods. As of today, tongue piercing is still done but for different reasons. Some men and women find it sexually arousing and as well as empowering when they pierce there tongue.

Lip and Labret Piercing

The higher castes of Aztecs and Mayans adorn their lips with labrets of pure gold because they believe that the mouth and lips are a sensuous part of the body. Women of the Makololo tribe in Malawi, a densely populated country in southeastern Africa, wear "pelele" in their upper lip to stimulate the men in their tribes. Tribes in central and South America pierce their lower lips and stretch the hole to fit in wooden plates.

Nipples Piercing

The Roman centurions practiced nipple piercings as a sign of strength, virility, and endurance. Central American tradition dictates boys to pierce their nipples to symbolize their transition to manhood. The Praetorian Guard of the Roman Ceasars also pierced their nipples to prove their loyalty and duty to protect their emperor.

Navel Piercing

Back in ancient Egypt, it was only the Pharaohs and their royal families who were permitted to pierce their navels. Harshly, anyone who broke the rule was executed. But there was an exemption, if a peasant girl was born with the "perfect belly button" she can be permitted to have it pierced, resulting to her higher social standing.