History of piercings

Piercings are becoming a trend or losing their popularity. And so it has been since its inception. Today, wearing an earring in the navel, ears, tongue or nose is commonplace, and it's hard to imagine that once upon a time there wasn't such a way to decorate your body.

The history of piercing goes deep into antiquity and has its origins in a wide variety of cultures around the world. Body piercing has been used as a form of jewelry, ritual and religious ceremony, and for medical purposes.

Here are some interesting points and stepping stones related to the history of piercings:

1. Ancient Egypt and the East. The first known references to piercing can be found in ancient texts and images from ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, and other ancient civilizations of the East. Body jewelry was used as a status symbol, protection from evil spirits, or simply as a way to stand out.

2. Taking it a step further - Ancient Rome and Greece. In ancient Rome and Greece, piercings were common among warriors, as well as among the aristocracy and even in ordinary families. It is generally believed that this was due to religious and cultural practices.

3. Native American cultures of the Americas. Many Native American tribes used piercings as part of rituals, status symbols, and religious practices. For example, nose and lip jewelry were common among the Maya tribe.

4. Africa, of course. In various African cultures, piercings were widespread as a form of jewelry. Yes and not only was, all these functions it performs and in our time. It was also used traditionally - as a way to indicate belonging to a particular tribe or social class.

5. Coming closer - the Middle Ages and the Modern Age. In the Middle Ages and later, piercing with jewelry was often associated with marginalized and not very respected groups, such as pirates and sailors. Nevertheless, its use as a form of jewelry continued among other segments of society, although not as often as centuries earlier.

So, we can say that piercing has emerged and evolved in different cultures and eras as a form of jewelry, ritual and self-expression, and its history goes back thousands of years. And it is not just a body adornment, but a cultural phenomenon with a deep history. With the development of subcultures and alternative movements, it has become an integral part of fashion and style for many people. It is used for self-expression, expressing individuality and emphasizing style.

Interesting facts you might not have known!

1. In some cultures, piercings have been used to treat various medical conditions. For example, in Chinese medicine, piercing certain points on the body is considered a way of influencing the energy flows in the body.

2. Studies show that piercings may have some medical benefits! For example, ear piercing can help treat migraines and headaches by activating points associated with reflexology.

3. In some armies, especially in the past, it has been used as a mark of belonging to certain military units or as a form of identification.

4. In different cultures and environments, different types of piercings may have their own symbolic significance. For example, in some cultures, nose jewelry may be associated with marriage or religious rituals.

Thus, although piercings are quite popular nowadays, they date back thousands of years.

All that is certain now, thanks to the burials and evidence that have been found, is that jewelry in various parts of the body began to be used before our era. From the reasons, we only know that it mostly symbolized position in society. The history of piercings is an extremely interesting and understudied topic despite its prevalence in society. This may give an impetus for new researchers to learn more about this topic, and maybe soon we will know more about piercings.