Body piercing and tattooing are the modifications done on the body through
different techniques, such as, punching, cutting, branding and coloring the
skin. Tattooing and body piercing are probably as old as the human civilization,
and are practiced by many cultures since ancient times, for various purposes
such as rituals, identification and displaying wealth & beauty. Body piercing
and tattooing are different forms of art which are used to enhance beauty. These
are also seen as the symbols of strength and belongingness. For some, these body
modifications signify their uniqueness & individuality from others.
Body Piercing In Different Cultures
In body piercing, a part of the body is punched to create openings for jewelry;
while in tattooing permanent markings are made by inserting ink into the layers
of the skin. Body piercing has been practiced since ancient times when it was
mainly practiced by the Egyptian royals, who used to pierce their navels. It was
also practiced by the wealthy Egyptians, who want to display their wealth and
highlight their beauty by wearing earrings. Even during Biblical times, body
piercing was a sign of status and attractiveness. This practice was also common
among ancient Romans, who used to pierce different body parts including the male
nipples to show strength.
Gladiators, or the slaves, during the ancient times were forced to get their
genitals pierced with a ring, so as to prevent them from having sexual
intercourse without their owner's permission. Tongues were also pierced as part
of religious rituals in many cultures, such as, Mayan, Aztecs and American
Indian. Women of these cultures also had their lips pierced which were stretched
to insert wooden, gold and jade plates. Tribes in New Guinea and the Solomon
Islands used to pierce their noses with bones, tusks and feathers. The practice
of piercing different body parts was not only used as part of religious or
tribal rituals, but also to enhance attractiveness and sexuality.
Art of Tattooing
Like body piercing, tattooing also has its roots of origin in the ancient times.
Tattoos were used for the purpose of decorating body through modification done
by creating designs. It was also done for the identification and branding. The
word tattoo is derived from the Tahitian term "tatau" which means "to mark
something". This form of art was practiced for different rituals and traditions,
such as, identifying a woman's skills. The symbol of skills in which she was
proficient was tattooed on her forearm to increase her status as prime
marriageable material. Making tattoos on the wrists and fingers was due to the
belief of getting away from illness. Tattoos among all were mainly used to
signify the membership of some particular society.
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