The Symbolic Meaning of Piercings

Have you noted how lately both men and women are into nose cuff piercing?

Often most people do body piercing without understanding the science and spiritual reasons. However, to some people enduring the pain caused by piercing generally marks important moments in their lives.

Among the oldest types of jewelry, nose rings are common accessories worn. From dangles nose hoops to subtle rings, nose piercings have symbolized various things for different cultures. Depending on where you come from, having a nose ring can mean different things, for example, cultural value expression or as a decoration to enhance your appearance.

So, what is the symbolic meaning of nose piercings?

In Africa, a nose ring symbolized the wealth and abundance of the family, especially among the Beja and Berbers tribes. On the wedding day, a Beja man gifts his future wife with a nose ring as a sign that he can take good care of his family. Therefore, the bigger the nose ring, the more respected the family is. The woman, on the other hand, is to wear that jewelry as a sign of respect to her husband and the family she’s married to.

In India, the left nostril pierced is associated with an increase in sexual pleasure, assisting with easier childbirth and ease of menstruation pain. The position of the nostril piercing is important as it is believed to affect the behavior and health of women. According to Ayurvedic reasoning, the woman’s left nostril is connected to her reproductive organs.

Nose rings are sometimes included in a marriage dowry in Middle Eastern and African cultures. A nose piercing acts as a symbol of beauty and glamour on Christians. In the bible, God narrates the story of Abraham, the process he went through in search of a wife for Isaac, and how he gifted her golden nose ring from his master.

While nose piercing is a spiritual tradition among Eastern cultures, it has an opposite effect in Western cultures. Despite its historical and biblical presence, modern cultures initially found the piercing repulsive and even offensive. However, with time things have changed, and people have become more convectional, allowing all types of piercings.

Beliefs about Nose Piercing Health Benefits: According to many cultures and rituals followed by people all over the world, nose piercing has significant advantages. However, some scientists differ with these benefits claiming they are not tested or proven. Some of the beliefs about nose piercing health benefits include;

To some, nose piercing helps with respiratory problems. Wearing a high-quality nose stud or dangles nose hoops helps increase the airflow through the nostrils and thus improves how you breathe. However, for one to improve their respiratory health with the help of a nose ring, you need to carefully choose the material used to make the ring and its size.

In the Indian community, the piercing made on the left nostril is said to promote the overall vitality of women. According to Ayurveda, getting your left nostril pierced tends to minimize the discomfort during a woman’s menstruation flow and also helps to ease childbirth.