Body piercings have been around since before Biblical times and even earlier. Body piercings have a very interesting and vast history. The piercing methods have been used for a very long time. There are many different types of bodily piercings that a person can get. The purpose of this paper is to inform the reader about the history of body piercings, popular types of body piercings, modern day piercing, and facts about body piercings.
Body piercings originated in the Middle East around 4000 years ago. The earliest known form of piercing was the nose piercing. Mogul Emperors brought piercings to India in the 16th Century. Ayurveda, which is a traditional medicinal practice native to India, believed that piercing the left nostril of a woman acted as an acupuncture to ease the pain of child birth (Painful Pleasures Inc.). The art of body piercing was also practiced in parts of Africa. The size of the nose ring in African tribes signified the wealth of the family. After a marriage the husband gave the wife a nose ring, which was security in case of a divorce. In ancient times, piercings have also denoted socio-political status. Body piercings mainly represented some kind of social status. Septum and nipple piercings was a mark of the strength and power of a Roman gladiator. Figures like the Pharaoh were the only ones allowed to have belly button piercings, to showcase their God-like status. The Bible mentions body piercings as well. Body jewelry was a symbol of wealth and beauty in the Old Testament. Back then, anyone of a low social status who had a piercing was punished or even executed (WATConsult).
There are many different types of body piercings. The most common types are ear piercings, nose piercings, and lip piercings. The n...
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...nt body piercings a person can get. This paper informed the reader of the history of body piercings, the popular types of body piercings, modern day body piercings, and facts about body piercings.
Works Cited
Guiness World Records Limited. Guiness World Records 2014. London: Guiness World Records, 2013. Print.
Martell, Arlene. How Body Piercing Works- the Ins and Outs of this Cutting Edge Process. 25 August 2008. Web. 9 February 2014.
National Conference of State Legislatures. Tatoos and Body Piercings for Minors. 2012. Web. 10 February 2014.
Northwestern University. Body Piercing Statistics. 1 January 2014. Web. 10 February 2014.
Painful Pleasures Inc. History of Body Piercings. 2013. Web. 9 February 2014.
Typesofpiercings. A List of The Different Types of Piercings. 2012. Web. 9 February 2014.
WATConsult. How Body Piercings Evolved? 2014. Web. 9 February 2014.
The overall policy explains the overall key points of how parental consent is required for tattooing, branding, and body piercing for anyone under the age of eighteen (Idaho Code 18-1523. (2004). It is explained throughout the bill, of how no one under the age of fourteen may acquire any form of tattooing, branding, or body piercing; as well, that no person should knowingly tattoo, brand or perform body piercings on a minor between the ages of fourteen and eighteen years unless the person obtains previous written informed consent of the minor's parent or legal guardian (Idaho Code 18-1523. (2004). The policy allows guardians, and parents to help guide minors from unsafe conditions as minors are not emotionally and physically mature enough to decide for themselves on conditions that are permanent and that can be regretted the rest of the minor’s life (Manning, 2013).
Tradition of humans permanently marking their bodies has consistently been utilized as a means of identification. Greeks used it as a form of punishment and branding of those considered as “others” which comprised of slaves and convicts- ideology that was then carried over into Roman culture as a tool of state control (Fisher, 2002). Indigenous tribes that lacked a written language applied tattoos as a system of visual communication. Both the Osage and Omaha tribes tattooed themselves based on success in warfare, bearing a skull on the back of their heads to signify victory in battle. Inuit men would mark on themselves how many whales they hunted, while ink on women conveyed marital status (Porcella, 2009). Despite a long-standing history in other cultures, it is emphasized that the Polynesian and Japanese cultures are largely responsible for the diffusion of tattoos into Western society.
Gold was extremely valued by the Ancient Egyptians. It symbolised the halo of the god and this was identified to be very significant because gold was known as the symbol of immortal life. People of social or religious consequence were often hidden in ornament inlaid with or create of solid gold. Gold was also especially popular during the Roman history. When the metropolises and culture started to develop, Rome called out brilliant experts who could make a wide spectrum of jewellery such as rings, necklaces, circlets and earrings. Recent history scholars trust that the convention of wearing a ring to represent a commitment appeared from the Roman generation. Over time the Romans stretched the application of gold beyond jewellery and it started to make ornaments and other everyday objects of the upper class. The existence of many gold in the house was a symbol of power and wealth.
In today’s society oral piercing and tattoos are considered a form of self-expression and body art. It is most common among people between the ages of 18 and 30 years old. Those who chose to have tongue piercing and oral tattoos believe that it reflects fashion, a daring personality, independence, and their sexuality. In other cases oral piercings and oral tattoos may be done because of the need for acceptance into a peer group, desire to assert individuality, or for spiritual
The aftercare of a tattoo is complex for the first couple of weeks. The tattoo cannot be soaked in water for 7-10 days, it cannot be exposed to the sun for 2-3 weeks, and it is detrimental that the skin is not picked or scratched in the area around the tattoo also. Also, the tattoo parlor that is chosen by a person determines the immediate aftercare instructions. Some say to remove the bandage right away. While others insist that you leave it on for two hours. This contains a risk since you don’t know which way is more accurate and safer. Body piercing is far easier to take care of in the weeks following the piercing. Depending on the body part all that is suggested is that for the first few weeks you apply a disinfection lotion or some other form of anti-bacterial liquid. Other than that piercings are free of care.
In the early 1980’s breast implants began gaining popularity, but they have been on the market since the early 1960’s. They were invented by plastic surgeons Cronin and Gerow. Dow Corning began manufacturing them commercially in 1962. Today over two million women have undergone breast augmentation surgery. There are many negative consequences that may arise from the surgery, and there is always the risk of infection or rupture. When beginning my research on the subject I assumed there would be a plethora of information. I was shocked to find out that there wasn’t. Silicone breast implants have been around for 40 years and there have been very few studies on their consequences, and possible effects on a woman’s body. The Food and Drug Administration has never approved the use of silicone implants. It is a surprising fact, because silicone implants are still being used today, but only by women who agree to be in a study of their safety. The politics surrounding breast augmentation are sketchy for lack of a better word. They have been promoted as being safe, yet their safety has never been fully questioned. While looking online, I found a variety of websites on the subject. There were many websites from the plastic surgery industry promoting breast implants as being safe. Then there were the websites like http://www.siliconeholocaust.org, this was by far the most disturbing site I have ever seen. There were dozens of pictures of real women who had their lives ruined by breast implants. If these, and other women had the little information that is available on the subject, they may have opted not to have the surgery because of the unnecessary consequences they now suffer.
Oral piercings are a growing trend in young adults used to represent self expression and uniqueness. Oral piercings are referred to as piercings that are inside the mouth with the most popular being the tongue. Other types include the lip, uvula, frenum, and cheeks. Oral piercings usually have a quick healing time due to their plentiful blood supply in the oral cavity; however, though piercing seems harmless due to its reversibility as compared to tattoos, there is a big concern to dental and medical professionals due to their risks and complications to health (Jannsen & Cooper, 2008).
“Body Art as Visual Language” by Enid Schildkrout talks about the different forms of body modifications, and their meanings within different cultures. For example, Schildkrout says “Head shaping may be a sign of high status in one culture and low status in another, but to a total outsider, these practices may appear to be simply mutilation.” In this quote, the author talks about how one body
As with most alterations, the human body will heal without severe damage. However, there are a couple of piercings that have a more difficult time through the healing process; some men have reported damage to their genitals after getting the
Tattoos have been used as a form of decoration on the body of the Egyptian mummies. In fact, tattoos were viewed as a “beautifying operation” to the Typee natives and in Wales they were once a royal fad. There have been many eras to see the tattoo as a prestigious decoration. The Japanese also practiced a form of tattooing that covered their warriors in intimidating designs. But after years of beauty and prestige, what changed the views of people? What made tattoos rebellious and unprofessional?
Body piercing in high schools definitely isn't a new subject to me. I have had many run-ins with my school administration about ear and other body piercings. Because of my multiple piercings in my ears, the counselor and the principle have told me before that I cannot have any body piercings. Under other circumstances, I might except that answer. However, since the school dress code does not touch on body piercings in the handbook they cannot say anything and therefore, I can have my body pierced anywhere that I want to and they cannot do anything about it.
A controversial topic today is whether or not body piercings and tattoos should be accepted by professionals working in health care. Currently, tattoos and piercings are allowed in health care as long as they are not visible. According to one of the studies, “Body piercing is defined as a piercing of the body anywhere other than the earlobes” (Westerfield). Therefore, the only visible piercings allowed are small studs in the lobes of the ears for females. The reason body piercings and tattoos are not suggested in health care is that they keep someone from looking professional as well as making them look intimidating. Not everyone sees them that way. The opposing side is that they do not affect
Ancient Roman men offered their women a ring as a symbol of ownership. The circle was the symbol of eternity, with no beginning and no end. The hole in the center of the ring symbolized a gateway leading to events both known and unknown. These rings were called betrothal rings. They were made of iron, to symbolize strength and permanence. The more expensive the material was demonstrated the wealth of the giver, which was why iron was the most common ring material. The Romans were the first to wear the ring on the fourth finger of the left hand, otherwise known as the ring ...
“The impact on the world today through the history and visual reasoning behind tattoos, lead to the inquiry of personal life changing experiences.
In Body Modification and Body Image, Bradley University found that even though women are the majority that has cosmetic procedures done, men usage of cosmetic procedures has increased to twenty percent since 2000. Bradley University also found that among American college students sixty women and forty-two men were pierced. The most common sites that were pierced were the ears, nose, tongue, eyebrows, lips, nipple, navel, and genitals. Around ten percent of Americans have tattoos, and while scarification is not as common as tattoos and piercing it is becoming an increasing visible practice in the United States