Tattoos & Piercings

Tattoos are an awesome thing and such a work of art. People always wonder why others get tattoos and piercings, it's just a way to express oneself or make someone who they are. There are all sorts of tattoos and different varieties of piercings to get.

Piercings

In ancient times it is said that people pierced their ears to ward off evil spirits. There have been records dating back to the Egyptians times with ear piercings. During the 1920’s – 1960’s in North America, Australia, and Europe it was rare. Eventually it started spreading but it was in the gays, punk, and hippies.

Tongue- This piercing started with the Aztec and Mayan civilization. This was done to honor the gods and this was also a part of their offerings. The tongue is one of the fastest healing body parts. It’s often pierced with a straight barbell for comfort.

Lips- This started with in the Pre-Columbian culture in South America. It’s now mostly practiced in African Tribes.

Ears- This piercing dates back to the Ancient Persian time. During the early 1920's it became popular then fell and clip on earrings became the new favor. With this only sailors that traveled around the world got their left ear pierced. In the 1970's ear piercing became popular among teenage girls who actually held piercing parties.

Nose- The nose is one of the most common things to be pierced right after the ear. Nose piercing started in India; it supposedly was to make childbirth easier. For this spot to be pierced was also a mark of beauty and social standing, it was also an honor to Hindu’s Parvathi, the goddess of marriage.

Belly Button- This first hit the culture when model, Christy Turlington, showed this piercing at a fashion show in London. From then on celebrities like Britney Spears and Alicia Silverstone got one and it was a huge outbreak of getting the belly button pierced.

Tattoos

History- Tattooing has been a practice since the Neolithic Times. Otzi the iceman daring back to the fourth or fifth BCE was found with dots on his back and ankles. Ancient mummies have been found with tattoos on their bodies.

Why- Some cultures gets tattoos for believes or for their spiritual beliefs. Some people get it for their magical beliefs. During the holocaust Jews got tattoos on their wrist for identification purposes. Between the Mauri and Europeans they used it just incase they found a body they could identify who it was. They are used for fashion now more a days. Tattoos are also used for medicated purposes too.