| The practice of body piercing has been prevalent | | | | era such as the Aztecs believed in injuring one's |
| since the ancient times, when wearing body | | | | tongue to be able to establish communication with |
| jewelry either signified authority or was used to | | | | the gods. The blood that was drawn from their |
| beautify the body. In the present times, exhibiting | | | | tongues transported them to a different state of |
| strategic body piercing has become a fashion | | | | consciousness. They believed that in this state |
| statement. | | | | they would be closer to God. |
| Cultural Beliefs Associated With Popular Body | | | | Lip piercing: The reasons for lip piercing have been |
| Piercing | | | | diverse among different tribes of America and |
| The interesting background to some of the most | | | | Africa. While the Pre-Columbians of North America |
| popular types is: | | | | considered the labret as a status symbol, the |
| Ear piercing: This most popular form of body | | | | Makololo tribe of Malawi used lip piercing for |
| piercing has been in practice since the primeval | | | | beautification. Similarly, the Dogon tribe of Mali had |
| times. The ancient tribes believed that metals in | | | | spiritual reasons for piercing their lips. |
| their pierced earlobes would ward off evil spirits. | | | | Body Piercing: What's in Store? |
| Nose piercing: The practice of piercing one's nose | | | | Choices in body jewelry comprise: |
| has been prevalent since the biblical times, as | | | | Body piercing jewelry such as nose rings, earrings, |
| "nose jewels" finds mention in the Book of | | | | tragus rings, lip rings and studs are available in |
| Genesis. Native American tribes of the Pacific | | | | different materials, such as gold, silver, titanium, |
| Northwest like the Nez Perce viewed Septum | | | | plastics and stainless steel. |
| piercing as a status symbol among males. Moving | | | | Titanium is a popular metal for body piercing. |
| eastward, nose piercing has been common among | | | | Titanium body jewelry in the form of barbell, |
| the Middle Eastern nomadic tribes as well as | | | | closure rings and 'banana' eyebrow rings are in |
| married Indian women. | | | | huge demand. |
| Tongue piercing: Civilizations of the pre Columbian | | | | |