We are all guided by rituals—religious or solemn ceremonies performed according to a prescribed order. We do them without even knowing that we are doing so. It’s because they have become a part of our lives. But do you know that these rituals we do today evolved from antiquity? A good example is body piercing and the body piercing jewelry that comes with it.

What Makes Body Piercing Jewelry Attractive and Cool

A lot of people these days, particularly the younger generation have their bodies pierced, then don jewelry items that make them look, well, attractive and cool. This is their way of making a statement. We are living in a world of individualism and body piercing jewelry is some people’s way of expressing it.

To understand why this came to be requires looking back to the long distant past when it all began and why.

Origin of Body Piercing

No single source can lay claim to have done body piercing first. What is known is that as early as 5,000 years ago some African cultures pierced their lip and tongue, Israelis their nose and ear, Romans, their nipples.

Back then, body piercings conveyed different meanings—a mark of a prostitute, the wealth of a husband, or a hedge against being possessed by demons. Suffice to say, body piercing jewelry is part of jewelry styles throughout history.

Then in the 1500s, when hairstyles evolved to expose the ears, earlobes were pierced to accommodate earrings.

By the 1920s, body piercing fell out of style. It came back with a vengeance in the ’70s when hippies returning from India brought back to the United States that country’s body-piercing tradition.

What do Body Piercings Mean

Most people who do body piercings do it to keep in step with style, not to be left by friends who are into it. But there’s more to it than meets the eye. Body piercings can be one’s personal and adventurous way of making a statement. Without meaning it, it could have historic symbolism, as well.

For example, piercing through the…

Ears

This can mean something or nothing.

For example, a portrait of Shakespear shows a gold hoop earring on his left ear. Shakesperean “experts” take it as nothing more than personal adornment.

But Indian, Hispanic, African, and other cultures pierce their earlobes and cartilage to fulfill ethnic traditions Though nobody can decipher its meaning, a 5,000-yr-old mummy found in an Austrian glacier had pierced ears. Take note though that there are different types of piercing jewelry ear.

Nose

In India, nostril piercing, left or right, is associated with reproduction and easy childbirth. Among nomadic tribes, it indicates wealth.

Septum piercing, done in the area between the nostrils, is a sign of fierceness among warrior culture, and a display of wealth among the Aztecs and the Mayans. And in indigenous tribes, a memento for the coming-of-age.

Barbells, horseshoes, and septum rings are very eye-catching, and the use of unconventional body piercing jewelry to express your uniqueness; you’re being you.

Barbells length chart

Note: Freshtrends has more detailed information on body piercing jewelry specifications.

By the way, nose piercing was once considered rebellious and daring. But it’s no longer as negative as it used to be. However, one can’t help but wince at the daring-do spirit of those who have their nose pierced.

Eyebrow

This type of piercing is a relatively new expression for people who are searching for ways to grab the attention of others—no matter how outrageous it may look.

It has no tribal, ethnic, or historical import except that the soft skin below or above the eyebrow ridge is a perfect spot to insert a ring or a barbell.

It looks pretty cool and attractive on some people, though.

Tongue

Tongue piercing was an important Mayan religious ritual reserved for high priests and rulers. Shamans of indigenous American Northeast and the Middle East pierced their tongues to enter into a state of trance.

The modern-day tongue piercing is a sign of devotion to your significant other, or you just like the way it looks.  On the other hand, young people and young adults do tongue piercing as sex-enhancer.

But it is not as safe as it looks. It is risky and may cause infection, swelling, loss of taste, and sense. It can result in a chipped or broken tooth, or nerve damage. Be careful that your way of expressing your individualism or style does not turn into a nightmare.

Cheek, Lips, or Labret

Some cultures pierce their lips or cheeks as a way of externalizing a woman’s inner beauty. In the tribal days, it signifies betrothal or an elaborate sign of membership to a higher class club. Or it could simply be an adornment or a sign of a committed relationship.

Body piercing jewelry used on the cheeks or lips is usually the labret (an object like a small piece of shell, bone, or stone inserted into the lip of cheeks as an ornament). These days, labrets are often made of titanium or stainless steel as they are easy to keep sterile.

Nipple

Nipple-piercing in olden times was intended to prevent inverted nipples and facilitate breastfeeding. And low-cute medieval necklines exposed the breast, making gem-encrusted body piercing jewelry like rings, a mark of style, according to some historians.

Navel-piercing is a modern trend with no traceable roots to bygone days. And women daring enough to have body piercing jewelry attached to their navel do so as a side-show to their beautiful bodies as they bask under the sun in their sexy bikinis.

Corollary to that is its sexual symbolism due to its proximity to the genitals.

Private parts

Unless you are Prince Albert, who has an elaborate body piercing in his private parts, it’s prudent not to show off your body piercing jewelry to the public.

Though a lot of men, and women, have piercings in their genitalia, it is by no means a modern expression of sensuality. Piercings of the scrotum, perineum, and foreskin have tribal origins. Then and now, its purpose remains the same—enhancement and sexual pleasure.

Private parts body piercing jewelry is not meant to show off the glitter of gold or gemstone, but for its being exotic and the sexual stimulation they provide.

All of the above are suitable types of body piercings, female.

What is Considered Body Jewelry

When people talk about jewelry, what comes to mind are rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, etc. While they may not be off the mark, there are other types of jewelry items to be worn on different parts of the body. These are called “body jewelry.”

Also called ‘body piercing jewelry’ they are manufactured specifically for use in body piercing. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are fit for use by both men and women of all ages.

And what different piercing jewelry is for? In olden times, they symbolized something. Nowadays, they are given a new face; have different applications, while a few are for sexual reasons. But most of all, they are for adornment or personal enhancement.

What are the Different Types of Body Jewelry

The most common and popular body piercing is ear body piercing. And, of course, there are several types of piercing jewelry, ears. 

To name a few examples:

• Industrial – two holes in the upper cartilage connected with single ear jewelry made of either sterling silver, platinum, or gold. It could be plain or with tiny gemstones or a diamond, like the one in this Aureate New York review, on both ends.
• Helix and forward helix – ear jewelry pierced on the ear’s top half or outer rim. They can be barbells, ball closure rings, or body spirals.
• Tragus – this is the thick piece of flesh that covers the opening of the ear to protect the tube that leads to the internal organs of the ear. Labret type of jewelry is perfect for this part of the ear.
• Lobe – this is the most popular among ear jewelry types. It is simple to do and on the least painful part of the ear. Most lobe jewelry is made of colorless gemstones for good luck, while some are plain metal jewelry.

Nose  piercing jewelry

Like the ears, nose piercing jewelry is also very common. And there are several types as well:

• Nose rings – made of stainless steel, these are worn either through the septum, center, or side of the nose. They are suitable both for men and women and have a long history, as well. In the Middle East and Africa, men gave their wives nose rings as a sign of their women’s new status. It’s kind of saying. “She’s already taken.” On the other side of the globe, septum rings were symbols of wealth in South and Central America. Today, it is estimated that 15% of men and 19% of women in the US wear nose rings.
• Nose screw -this is a short, hooked post that a wearer can twist through a nostril piercing. The nose screw is made of high-quality metals like 14k or 18k gold or titanium.

• Studs – can be worn in all parts of the body, including the nose, where they are in labret form. The beauty of labret studs is that they can come in bare jewelry metal or be topped with any of the colorful gemstones available in the market.

• Bone – this body piercing jewelry is a short post, embellished or decorated, on top of the nostril while fastened inside the nostril by a spherical bottom. Be sure though that the bone material is safe and cannot cause irritation or infection in the areas around it.

• Spike – this body piercing jewelry is commonly used with septum piercings and/or bridge piercings. It should be worn across the piercing, with its pointed end sticking out.

Belly or navel piercing jewelry

This has been around for centuries. The Egyptians believed that piercing your belly would free your spirit from the world of the living and connect you to the world of eternity. Another school of thought thinks belly piercing is a way of showing strength, courage, and manliness.

Modernity has given it a new twist and look. Today, there are two distinct types of belly/navel piercing jewelry:

• Belly button rings – symbolize rebellion and self-alienation. It is also very sensual. People, men, and women do it to attract attention. The belly button is a sensitive part of the body so make sure your belly button ring is made of surgical stainless steel, titanium, or sterling silver.

• Belly chains – are also called belly beads, waistline beads, or beaded waist chains. In some African countries, they are symbols of femininity, fertility, sensuality, and spiritual well-being.

Tongue jewelry

There is only one type of tongue jewelry—the barbell type placed on the center of the tongue. To make it look more adorable, the ends of the barbell are designed differently. Sometimes, people opt for tongue rings.

In any case, the tongue is a delicate and sensitive part. So make sure the materials that go into your tongue jewelry are safe and can’t cause irritation or infection of the tongue. The Association of Professional Piercers (APP) has jewelry piercing safety rules that recommend using either titanium or stainless steel, followed by 14k or 18k gold (not plated).

Acrylic tongue rings are also recommended. It is safe for new piercing and doesn’t react with the skin.

Eyebrow jewelry

These are ornaments placed on piercings of the outer periphery of the eyebrow, or below the eyebrow ridge. The most common forms are the stud or labrets.

Body piercings go a long way, so does the jewelry that goes with them. While in times past, they are part of some community or religious rituals, now they have become a fad among both men and women, the young and old. While they may look attractive and cool, their longevity is uncertain. People are fickle and fads and fancies are like wisps of smoke that are swept away by the winds of change—leaving behind scars that may last a lifetime.

So before jumping into the bandwagon, think very carefully if wearing body piercing jewelry is worth the permanent disfigurement of your face. And as said earlier, make sure to use precious metals like gold to avoid unwanted complications.

Speaking of gold, you might want to check out our article “Why You Should Buy Gold Jewelry Now” to learn more about investing in gold jewelry.