The History of Body PiercingBODYEARPIERCING.INFO


Throughout history people have decorated and altered the look of their bodies in many different ways. Body piercing is one of the oldest and most attractive forms of body modification, yet the reasons for piercing the body are as varied as the cultures they come from. All through history body piercing has been practiced by many cultures for many centuries; it is believed as long as five thousand years. Body piercing was frequently identified with royalty and portrayed courage and virility. Egyptian Pharaohs pierced their navels as a practice of passage. Roman soldiers pierced their nipples to prove their manhood. Mayans pierced their tongues as a spiritual habit, and both sexes of Victorian royalty chose nipple and genital piercing. In our culture we have brought to the mainstream some of these ancient and tribal practices. The big dissimilarity here is the expression of self choice. In our more tolerant modern day society an individual can pierce their body for any number of the reasons listed above, but is not inadequate or obligated to a detailed set of rules or conduct. Another unique principal after modern day piercing is that unless the piercing has been overstretched, it can be viewed as short-term. The person can take out the jewelry if he/she wishes and re-transform their “look” again and again! We believe that much of the recent attraction and recognition of this “piercing renaissance” stems from the fact that up until the present – people were just unaware it was potential to pierce the body in so many dissimilar ways!
Body piercing is one of the ancient and well-known types of body art. It is identified to have started by the Romans by nipple piercing to show their bravery and also as a practical means of fastening their cloak. Victorian society girls also had their nipples pierced to improve its size. In Borneo, genital piercing similar to the apadravya and ampallang was started by the Karma Sutra. For the Carafa Indians in South America, wearing a thin cane in the lower lip shows that they are at the prime of their lives. In Africa, the women take piercing to a different level and size since history has shown that multiple and large piercing discourages slave trade.
Most piercing of prehistoric societies is done to signify their status within a tribe, a rite of passage, or as a talisman to chase bad spirits away. Now, in spite of the huge difference between cultures and beliefs, us having easy access to the latest technology, still rely on piercing to fulfill ourselves as social animals for the continuity of a certain way of life. The raise in piercing and tattooing popularity is a response to the disposable mentality of fashion and consumerism.
Body piercing was pioneered in the UK by Alex Sebastian. In the 1950’s, while working in his field, he came across a couple of helpers who had gold rings in their nipples. Since he was curious about it, he began to ask around and was introduced to a local man who did some piercing. He tried having the piercing and it healed. When he returned to England, he tried a few other piercing on himself. Soon enough, people got curious as to where he was able to get those piercings and asked if he would be willing to do it for them. This became the start of his career as one of the country€™s first and most respected body piercers.
In the middle of the ancient Egyptians, to get a piercing in your navel is equivalent to being royalty. This is why commoners are not allowed to get pierced. Prince Albert was stated to have a piercing through his penis, also called a dress ring by Victorian haberdashers since this is originally done to firmly place the penis in place by either the left of right trouser leg. It was because of the fad for extremely tight trousers that Prince Albert was alleged to pierce his penis. Added piercings of the male genitalia is used as a means of discipline. Arab youths have a piercing on the left part of their scrotum which is believed to prevent the testis from returning the body. This practice also came from North Africa. Female genital piercings developed afterward and is used for erotic stimulation although in some African tribes, it is also used as a form of discipline. A nowadays, it is used for erotic stimulation.
Most tribal cultures utilize the piercing of the ear lobe and ear rim with ear lob stretching see among the people of Northern India, Burma, ancient Egypt, and other African tribes. Ivory ear plugs are also worn by the African Samburu warrior and the Masai and Pokot tribes wear many rigns in their stretched earlobes.
Women from the African Dogon, Kudi, and Lobi tribes get to have ear, nose and lip piercings to enable them to wear ornaments which will identify their tribe and protect them from bad spirits. In India, nose rings are the style which became popular among the mughals, indicating whether the man or woman is single or married. African Pokot girls put on lip plugs when they are married, which is also done by Turkama men and women. Lip plugs are also worn by various men of the Amazonian tribe to show their status wherein the elders have bigger plugs or plates every year.
Nunivak tribes of North America put on lip or labret piercings while silver jewelry was worn in the septums of the Clayoquot tribes to denote status. Other septum piercings, cover with gold with plant stems and bone jewelry are worn by tribesmen of Papua New Guinea. Piercing placed in the eyebrow, tongue and ear are modern practices developed in the west.
At the present time, people are becoming more aware of tribal societies that still exist in their culture and who still practice their distinct customs and traditions. They would like to apply what they have learned about these societies by the rituals they perform like tattooing and piercing. Unfortunately, although piercing is become more popular in the west, the third world countries are slowly forgetting their own ancient tribal customs to be able to take on western standards.
Two main schools of thought have been discussed on to how modern body piercing came about. The US version knows the contributions of Doug Malloy and Jim Ward in the field of body piercing while the version of the United Kingdom recognizes Mr. Sebastian. The three have documented the advance of piercing and its expansion from the homosexual and sadomasochistic communities in the US. In the United Kingdom, piercing was initially exclusive to various fringe groups, such as the punks, the travelers, and members of the sadomasochistic scene although they are not the only ones who practice body piercing.
Three to four years ago, a sudden change happened in the nature of body piercing, caused by several factors but most significantly, the adapting of navel and eyebrow piercing by the fashion world. Because the use of these piercings are made public on British television, it dictated to the general public that piercing is fashionable. Secondly, it opened the opportunity of going to extremes with body piercing, as opposed to fashion. And thirdly, those who have been active in piercing on their body for several years have become aware that the practice of body piercing is already widespread.
Before taking into responsibility on this procedure, there are just a few suggestions to remember. Make sure that the tattoo artist you go to is reputable and clean. His instruments should be sterilized accurately so as to lower the risk of infection. And, as with any procedure regarding the body, make sure that other safety precautions are made before you push through with the piercing.
To know more about the most safe and purest numbing cream that does not interfere with any kind of permanent ink, tattoo ink or piercing process, log on to our website at http://www.drnumb.com. Or call our toll free number 1-877-786-2001
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