The History of Body Piercing

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The History of Body Piercing

Body piercing has slowly moved into the mainstream of society, as more people have needed to find unique ways to express their individuality. Beginning in the 70s, body piercing found a place in the youth counterculture of the day, but it never gained popular acceptance until recently. Now body piercing has become a fashion accessory of the pop culture, and can be seen on professional athletes, Hollywood superstars, teenagers from every walk of life... even 'soccer moms' have been known to sport a belly ring. Just as things change, they tend stay the same. Body piercing, as it was in ancient times, is still used as tool for personal expression, a means of distinction, and a fashion accessory.

Body piercing has been going on for thousands of years. It was a part of many ancient tribal cultures of South America and Africa, and to this day is still a part of many of these tribal cultures. Body piercing has had its place in the ancient civilizations of India, the Egyptian and Roman empires, and the Victorian societies of Europe. It has been used as a rite of passage for many ancient societies, and a symbol of one's standing in their society.

Body piercing disappeared from most western cultures where it was considered the practice of barbarian tribes until the Elizabethan era when sailors came into contact with tribes who believed that ear lobe piercings enhanced long distance vision. This was of obvious benefit to sailors who spent most of their time on the open ocean. Interestingly enough, modern acupuncture techniques support this idea. The next major appearance of body piercing came later in the Victorian era when genital piercings became fashionable, allegedly to impose chastity in women and to prevent the male genitals from showing through the tight trousers fashionable at the time. Though piercings mostly died out after this time, ear lobe piercings continued to be fashionable in women up until the present day.

Nose Piercing

Nostril piercing was first thought to originate in the Middle-East almost 4000 years ago. From there it spread into India in the 16th century, where it was quickly adopted into the noble castes. The kind of jewelry worn could distinguish the wearer by caste and social standing, much like a title, or even an identity card! The piercing was introduced into the west by the 'Hippy' culture, that traveled to India in the 60's and 70's. It was shortly adopted by the 'Punks' and other youth culture of the 80's and 90's, before its popular use in the new millennium.

Tongue Piercing

In the ancient temples of the Aztecs and Mayans, Shamans and High Priests pierced their tongues as part of a ritual to communicate with their gods. Thousands of years later, and it is still a popular piercing, although for different reasons. Both men and women can find it sexually arousing as well as empowering.

Lip Piercing

The mouth and lips are a sensuous part of the body and power is an aphrodisiac, so it is only natural that only the higher castes of Aztecs and Mayans should adorn their lips with labrets of pure gold. In Africa, the women of the Makololo tribe of Malawi wear plates called 'Pelele' in their upper lip, to arouse the men in their tribes. Tribes in central and South America pierced their lower lips and stretched the hole to fit in wooden plates. Now, lip piercing is more common among the general populace, more often on the lower lip, however recently upper lip piercing has become popular, like the famous 'Madonna' or 'Cindy Crawford' beauty mark.

Nipple Piercing

Nipple piercings were once considered a sign of strength, virility and endurance. The natives of central America once pierced their nipples as a mark of the transition to manhood. The honor guard of the Roman Caesars would also pierce their nipples to show their strength and duty to protect their emperor. It was said that it was their nipple jewelry that held their cloaks in place! In the 1890's it was all the rage for Victorian women to pierce their nipple with jewelry sold by the famous jewelers of Paris. Some even had both nipples pierced and hung silver chains from one to the other. Now in the new millennium, it is becoming far more common.

Navel Piercing

The first records of navel piercing stretch as far back as the ancient civilizations of Egypt. Then it was only the Pharos and their Royal families who were permitted to pierce their navels. Peasants who broke this rule were executed! However, if a peasant girl was born with 'The perfect belly button' she was sometimes permitted to have it pierced, and therefore to elevate her social standing. The navel is now one of the most popular piercings.

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