The History of Ear Piercing

Perhaps, ear piercing is among the most ancient practice that men have ever done. Otzi, the ice mummy found in the Italian Alps during the nineties, proves that people used to pierce their earlobes 5000 years ago.

Earlobes piercing might be the first piercing type that man did, and it is still the most popular, acceptable, and safest among the different ear piercing types. So how did this practice and the wear of earrings evolve?

There are many reasons that drove people of ancient times to pierce their earlobes. Some were religious, rituals, social, and spiritual, among many others. 

For example, the pharaohs & kings of ancient Egypt were buried with gold earrings, and their mummies showed earlobes piercings. Most probably, earrings in ancient Egypt were used to show social status and religious belief at the same time. Only royal family members, such as pharaohs, wore gold earrings, and they used gold to help them cross to the other side, i.e. afterlife.

Ancient Greek sailors believed the earrings had special powers. Earring would enhance their eyesight, thus helping them on their sailing. Some would wear rings in their ears, either both ears or one, once they come back safe from their journey so that everyone else would know that they succeeded in their quest. This habit continued for centuries to follow, adding to this more reasons. Another reason that drove ancient sailors to pierce at least one ear indicated their homeland. So if they died in a foreign land, the earring would give some hints to them about the homeland of the dead sailor.

During Britain's renaissance, ear-piercing became a more common practice than ever for fashion purposes. It was even common among men of notable social class to pierce their ears and wear gold & pearl earrings.

In the Ainu culture, it was common for men & women to pierce their ears until the 1800s when they became under the Japanese government forbidding ear piercing. However, this practice remained among tribes.

Ear piercing in the US and other western cultures was not popular. People wore earrings that were clipped on the ear without the need to pierce it. However, nowadays, it is very popular, and they have different types of piercing, not only on the earlobe. It is also popular between men & women in the US to pierce their ears and wear gold, silver or metal earrings.

We have a great collection of different types of earrings such as hoops, stud, dangle, chandeliers, clip-on, etc. So, feel free to browse our online collection to buy what suits you better.