subject: Intriguing Ancients Facts About Body Piercing [print this page] Body Piercing has evolved as a fashion whim since last fifteen to twenty years. It has become the It thing especially for youngsters. Body piercing jewelry is not a thing of today. It has been practiced since ancient times and was regarded as a sign of wealth and royalty.
Here are some interesting facts about ancient body piercing and body piercing jewelry.
1.Ear Piercing
The history of ear piercing dates back to 2500 BCE.
The oldest earring was found in a grave located in the Sumerian city of Ur.
5300 years old Otzi the Icemans mummified body with pierced ears was found in a glacier in Austria.
Ear piercing practice amongst men started from the court of Henry III of France.
Gem studded, golden earrings, gold hoops were worn by royalty.
2.Nose Piercing
The nose piercing history dates back to 1500 BCE.
The nose piercing practices spread from the Middle Eastern Nomadic tribes.
Native American and Alaskan tribes practice septum piercing.
Many tribes adorn their pierced nose with feathers and bones symbolizing wealth and virility amongst men.
3.Lips and Tongues Piercing
Lip piercing and lip stretching were found in the African and American tribal cultures.
Labrets were seen as a status symbol amongst Haida women.
Tongue piercing in some tribes and cultures is considered as a ritual symbol.
Some tribal women adorn their lips with lip disc that alters the occlusion of the jaw.
4.Nipple, Navel and Genital piercing
The piercing of Nipple, Navel and Genital are referred in various cultures prior to the 20th century.
Navel piercing was practiced by the ancient aristocratic Egyptians.
Genital piercing is practiced either to increase or diminish sexual activities or pleasure.
Nipple piercing was practiced by the Roman soldiers and was considered a sign of masculinity.
British and American sailors too adorned pierced nipples.
The wholesale body jewelry practices started early from several tribal cultures and has now become a popular thing in the west.
Contemporary practices emphasize the use of safe body piercing materials and specialized tools to do so. Body piercing jewelry and wholesale body jewelry should always be hypo allergic. Surgical stainless steel, niobium and titanium are some of the safest and most commonly used body piercing jewelry materials. Gold and sterling silver should not be used for initial piercing as it may cause allergies.
Body piercing holds different views for people. Some do it for traditions or cultures and some pierce for self expression.
