Ear piercing is a very old and traditional form of body piercing. It has nearly the same ancient history as any other genus of body piercing. The most ancient evidence of body piercing is Otzi the iceman, which was found in Austria. Otzi also had ear piercing. Even today it is the most practiced form of body piercing. Almost all of the girls of today's world have their ears pierced. It is so common among the girls that you will hardly find any girl without ear piercing.
There are several forms of ear piercing that are practiced by today's people. The variations include earlobes, cartilage, tragus, industrial, anti tragus, rook, conch, snug, daith, helix, etc.
Among all of the variations earlobes are possibly the most appreciated and frequently used form of ear piercing. It is commonly seen that if any individual has only one piercing in their body, they have earlobe piercing. In this type of piercing, both earlobes are pierced in the centre and different types of beautiful jewelries are used there; though a few people, especially male, nowadays only pierce just one earlobe and use a single jewelry there.
Cartilage piercing is another form of piercing that is becoming much popular in the current time. This type of piercing is performed in the upper side of the ear- the hole is made on the apparent tissue and usually round shaped jewelry or ring is used.
Another popular sort of ear piercing is industrial piercing. This variety of ear piercing can be said as the latest modification of ear piercing- it was first introduced by a famous piercer in the late twentieth century. Nowadays, it is being more popular among the youngsters. In this sort of ear piercing, two holes are made in the upper part of the ear in a particular distance. These two holes are made connected with a single jewelry
Tragus piercing is another diversity of ear piercing, where the hole is made in the tragus area (the petite pointed part of the ear). As the area is not big, small studs and hoops are frequently used in this sort of piercing. Besides, circulars, rings, spirals, etc. are also used according to the taste and choice of the user.
The diversion anti-tragus is not much popular like other diversions of ear piercing. In this type of diversion, the ear is pierced just above the ear lobe.
Conch piercing is another form of ear piercing where the conch is pierced. Conch piercing is termed in two varieties depending on the position of the hole- if the hole is positioned in the center of ear cartilage and adjacent to, then it is termed as "inner conch piercing" while it is termed as "outer conch piercing" if it is located in the flat part of the outer ear cartilage.
A rook piercing is the kind of ear piercing in which the upper inside of the ear, which is also known as anti-helix, is pierced. As this cartilage area is much thicker, the piercing much pain than any other variety of ear piercing.
Snug piercing is performed on halfway down the external edge on the inner cartilage, immediately over the anti-tragus. The snug is a rather undersized, thin spot where the cartilage is relatively thin.
In daith piercing, the ear is punctured through the innermost cartilage crumple of the ear. The word "daith" has been derived from the Greek word "daath" which means knowledge. Like industrial piercing, it is also another modern modification of ear piercing and is also introduced at the same time of industrial piercing.
Helix piercing is another kind of ear piercing. Any puncture that is made through the edge of the cartilage can be termed as helix piercing. This type of piercing is sometimes also known as "ear head piercing".
Nowadays, many youngsters do ear piercing just to keep pace with the contemporary fashion. Many of them find this custom beautiful and think that ear piercing will make them more attractive. Nonetheless, this tradition of ear piercing is meaningful for people of some community; they perform ear piercing with some religious belief. Besides, in some community, it was the sign of any particular thing.
Both in Hinduism and in Christianity it is significant to have ear piercing. The Hindus believe that ear piercing will save their infants from evil spirits. Because of this belief, the Hindus usually pierce their infants' ears on the twelfth day of the infants' life and this custom is commonly seen in the Asian people.
Christians also believe that ear piercing is positive for them. They probably get the reference from the Bible that Jesus also had His ears pierced and, therefore, they believe that it will also be a virtuous act for them. Due to this belief, like the Hindus many Christians also pierce their infants' ears at the early days.
Yet, people of some communities did ear piercing as a sign of something. As an example, the Tlingit (native people of the Pacific Northwest Coast of America) used earrings as a sign of wealth and nobility. Earrings were also common in Egypt during the Eighteenth dynasty- hanging gold hoops were the symbol of nobility in that society. Ancient Greeks used dangling earrings that were shaped as scared birds, which were known as demigods. Again, evidence is found that ancient Roman women frequently used exclusive gemstones as earrings.
So, it can be said that ear piercing has a very ancient history and it has a lot of forms and sometimes they are meaningful as well. You can do ear piercing due to any religious belief or just for your pleasure. Some people do piercing because they find it as a way to show respect to their ancestors, as it was practiced by them. Whatever the reason may be for your piercing, try to be careful of the entire process. Learn the ins and outs of your desired piercing and take every necessary step so that you do not victim of any danger of piercing.
