History of Body Piercing

Piercing Through Time: The Legacy of Body Adornment

Clicker Septums, Gauge Earrings, and Ear Weights- what may seem like modern fashion statements are actually echoes of ancient traditions. Body adornment has been an essential part of human culture for millennia, marking status, strength, spirituality, and rebellion. From the frozen remains of ancient civilizations to the underground subcultures of today, piercing and stretching have remained deeply symbolic, constantly evolving while staying rooted in history.

The Ear: Mankind’s First Canvas

The ear is one of the oldest and most sacred sites for body modification. The earliest known stretched earlobes were discovered on a mummified body found in an Austrian glacier- dating back over 5,000 years! This isn’t just a modern trend; it’s an ancient practice that has independently emerged across the world.

In many indigenous tribes, stretched lobes weren’t just about aesthetics; they represented wisdom, status, and spiritual growth. The Maasai in Kenya and the Fulani in West Africa have long worn ear weights and elongated lobes as a sign of beauty and tradition. The Dayak people of Borneo believe that the longer the lobes, the greater the connection to the spirit world. Some tribes see stretched lobes as a symbol of patience and discipline, as the process of stretching takes time and dedication.

Even today, ear stretching remains a form of self-expression, whether through classic tunnels, bold ear weights, or ornate plugs. What was once a sacred tribal rite is now a powerful statement of individuality.

Septum Piercings: A Warrior’s Mark

Septum piercings have a rich warrior history, dating back to the fierce Aztec, Mayan, and Native American tribes. These cultures believed that piercing the septum and adorning it with bone, jade, or gold would make warriors look more intimidating in battle. In Papua New Guinea, tribes used pig tusks and bone septum jewellery to blur the line between human and beast, connecting themselves to the spirits of the animals they hunted.

Fast forward to today, and Septum rings have taken over the alternative fashion scene. Clicker Septums, in particular, have become a staple- ranging from minimalist designs to intricate, jewel-studded pieces that blend ancient influence with modern style.

Lips, Tongues & The Language of Adornment

Lip and tongue piercing were deeply spiritual in many cultures. 
The Mursi and Surma woman of Ethiopia practiced lip stretching not just as a beauty standard but as rite of passage into womanhood. The size of a woman lip plate could indicate her social and status and even the dowry her husband would pay to marry her. 

In Central and South America, the Aztecs and Mayans wore jade and gold Labrets carved into religious symbols, believing they enhanced both beauty and sexuality. Meanwhile, tongue piercing was seen as a way to communicate with the gods- warriors and shamans would pierce their tongues as part of ritual bloodletting, believing it heightened spiritual connection.

Rebellion, Ritual & Reinvention

Throughout history, piercing has moved between sacred ritual and social rebellion. The Ancient Egyptians adorned themselves with elaborate earrings, restricting certain piercings to the royal family. Roman soldiers pierced their nipples as a sign of strength and loyalty to the empire. Renaissance nobility flaunted pearl and diamond earrings as a display of wealth.

In the 20th century, piercings took on a new meaning- challenging norms and defying convention. In the 1970s, American hippies brought back nose rings from their travels in India, sparking a resurgence in body piercing. Punk culture in the ‘80s took it further, using piercings as an act of defiance. Today, piercings are no longer just about rebellion- they’re a means of self-expression, identity, and connection to something greater.

Why Do We Pierce?

Some pierce for spiritual reasons, others for aesthetics, and some simply for the love of body art. Whether it’s a pair of stretched lobes, a bold septum clicker, or heavy ear weights, body adornment continues to tell a story- one that stretches back through centuries of culture, tradition, and transformation.

What was once sacred to the tribes is now a global movement. The tools and styles may have changed, but the essence remains the same: piercing is a way to mark who we are, where we’ve been, and where we’re going.