In our time, it’s common to see someone spontaneously getting a piercing simply for it’s aesthetic appeal. However, piercing has an astoundingly ancient origin and has even been assimilated into rituals within certain tribes.
Ear piercing: The story goes that sailors would don a golden earing so that they might sell it to finance their rescue in the event of a shipwreck. It’s also said that holes in the ear stimulate an acupunctural point thought to ameliorate vision, but this hasn’t been verified.
Nostril piercing has originated principally in India where it was reserved for the superior castes, particularly fiancés. In this case, the prenuptial couple would wear a small chain linking the nose piercing to an earring worn on the same side. This getup would be summarily taken off after the marriage ceremony.
Mayan and Aztec stories were already recounting tales of priests who would pierce their tongues to facilitate better communication with the gods. The origin of piercing the lips also comes from these two illustrious civilizations, who would adorn their fissured lips with jewels. In Central and South America, certain tribes pierce their lower lips and then largen the hole so that it might comfortably fit a decorative wooden plate display.
Piercing of the central strip of cartilage in the nose comes from New Guinea where the Papuans decorate this prized aperture with an ornament made of bone or wood.
Navel piercing seems to come from Egypt; only the pharoah and the royal family were permitted to wear it.
Piercing the nipple became popular thanks to Roman centurions. The guard closest to Ceasar bore a ring through his nipple fissure, a symbol of virility and great courage.