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 status symbol to a magical ward to a coming of age ritual.
The lip labret piercing is used in many African cultures, with graduated discs inserted in the hole to slowly stretch the skin. The size of the disc is directly associated with power, virility, and status. Similarly, tribes in Mali, Ethiopia, South America, and the Pacific Northwest pierce the lip labret. Famous explorer Dr. Livingstone came upon the Makololo tribe in the African country of Malawi and inquired to why the men in the tribe wore lip labret. The answer was a simple one: beauty.
Another piecing popular with ancient cultures and civilizations is the septum piercing. Commonly associated with the "bull ring," a septum piercing penetrates the space directly between the nostrils. Most ancient tribes pierced their septum in order to promote a fierce or war-like face on their warriors. Individuals in India, Tibet, and Nepal wear a septum piercing, as do many North American Indian tribes, including the Nez Perce. Australian aboriginals also wear a piercing through the septum and have so for thousands of years.
Body piercing has been around for thousands of years, ranging back to primitive people to current individuals and tribes all over the world. Although some body piercing may be controversial, they are certainly not original or new. Many individuals choose to showcase their cultural or native heritage by choosing a body piercing that reflects their heritage. Furthermore, many individuals seek a body piercing in a traditional manner or choose to be pierced while visiting an exotic destination. If this is the case, ensure the piercing parlor is reputable and practices outstanding hygiene. Others choose to pierce different parts of their bodies to elicit a shock to those around them. Still, others choose a piercing for personal reasons, whether it is a remembrance of a beloved friend or family member or in honor of a personal milestone.
The body piercing craze is happening all over the country, and kids, adults, and even their pets are getting into it. Having a pierced body part is a status symbol for some, the fashion of the day for others, and just plain fun for the rest of us. People have been piercing their bodies for thousands of years in fact. However, it is important to keep in mind certain important factors before allowing your child to take part in the new American pastime.
Your first concern for your child should be safety, so understand that there will be some time and expense spent teaching him or her how to take proper care of a pierced ear, or a pierced anything else. Show them proper skin care, how to cleanse the pierced area, and also what to do if an accident occurs or if infection sets in. Do these things and you can avoid a costly trip with your kid to the medical clinic.
Also, remember that your child is at a tender age. Feelings can be hurt just as much as the body piercing itself, so if you decide to let your baby get pierced, be supportive of it, but also remain aware and alert of any problems, social or physical, that may arise out of the situation. Wearing nice jewelry is supposed to boost one's self esteem, not lower it.
Keep in mind also, that many schools do not allow children to wear elaborate body jewelry at all, even earrings, so perhaps it would be best to instruct your kid to wait until he or she gets home from school before putting on the glitz.
Now that we have covered those basic points, we can discuss what type of jewelry to buy, and just because you are purchasing jewelry for your child doesn't mean that you can go cheap. Inexpensive jewelry, because of the low quality of the alloy, can quickly deteriorate and cause irritation on the skin, thus leading to infection. Frankly, you have survived the idea that your baby wants to get pierced, so now you need to get into the notion that it may cost a pretty penny. If you can find a wholesale body jewelry store in your area you are likely to be able to save tons of money. You might also want to look online for wholesalers.
There are several ways to find good quality jewelry at a fair price. Look for wholesalers on the Internet and investigate them carefully. Once you find a vendor, make sure that you do not have to buy in bulk in order to get a discount. With luck, you will be able to find several nice pieces for your son or daughter, without stretching your bank account to its limit. Remember, the better the quality, the more expensive it will be, but also it will lessen the chance that your child will get hurt.
Both Mike Barus & Gregg Hall are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Mike Barus has sinced written about articles on various topics from Gardening, Health and Cheap Airfare. Mike Barus specliazes in Body Piercing and Body Jewelry for more information go to . Mike Barus's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.
Gregg Hall has sinced written about articles on various topics from Lingerie, Desserts and Mortgage. Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as at http://www.midcountrywholesale.com. Gregg Hall's top article generates over 3350000 views. to your Favourites.