A Brief History Of Body Piercing
Body piercing is an age-old art form that has been used in generations in cultures all around the world. Many individuals today who seek to pierce different parts of their body may choose to do so to honor their heritage or make a unique statement of their own. If you are interested in piercing a part of your body, consider researching the origin and history of different types of body piercing.
The first sign of body piercing is the form of nose rings that were recorded approximately 4,000 years ago in the Middle East. In fact, there is even mention of nose piercing in the Bible. Nomadic tribes in Africa and the Middle East still practice nose piercing, and often the size and quality of the ring denote the wealth and social status of the wearer. Nose piercing is also common in India, where the left nostril is pierced to prevent medical issues and ease childbirth.
Tongue rings date back to the ancient Aztec and Mayan cultures of Central America and Mexico. These cultures heavily believed in the power of shaman, who pierced the tongues of individuals in order to communicate with their deities. The pain from the piercing forced the individual into an altered mental state, whereas the blood from the hole was shed in their honor. In addition to these native cultures, certain tribes in the Pacific Northwest also practiced tongue piercing for similar reasons.
Ear piercing is by far the most popular type of body piercing and is believed to have been practiced longer than any other form of body piercing. In fact, when scientists found what they believe to be the world’s oldest fully mummified body, tests showed holes punctured through the mummy’s ears. Ear piercing ranged from a