Spiritual Meaning of Piercings (Lip, Ear, Medusa, Tongue)

What is the spiritual meaning of piercings?

Introduction

Piercings have long-held deeper meanings than simple adornments.

In many cultures, they hold deep symbolism, which we will explore in this article to offer insight and interpretation of these commonly seen embellishments.

The oldest known human to have been found with piercings was over 5000 years old and was a mummified body in the Austrian Glacier.

Piercings held many spiritual and moral meanings, including for the Egyptians, many of whom have been found to have piercings on various parts of their bodies, most notably Tutankhamun, who is depicted with piercings on his mummy.

Symbolism

In many cultures, including some western cultures to this day, a piercing is a sign of maturation.

When a child reaches puberty, their ears are pierced as a symbol that they have now become an adult, and as a way to celebrate this passage from childhood.

As well as this, many people in today’s society choose a piercing to make their passage from childhood to adulthood at the age of 18, a symbolic message that they are now able to choose what to do with their bodies without the need for permission from a parent or guardian.

As with dreadlocks, which we have done a previous article on, piercings are often representative of a form of rebellion or individuality.

In some cultures, piercings were used as a way to protect oneself from dark forces or evil, in particular, piercings in the ear.

It was thought that evil spirits were able to enter human bodies through the ears, but by wearing metal around the earlobe, people were able to stop them from entering.

In later years, piercings were done as a way to show wealth by adorning oneself with expensive jewelry, and this way of thinking can be said to have carried on through to today, with millions of people worldwide now sporting multiple piercings on their bodies.

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Spiritual meaning of piercings

As mentioned, piercings are a powerful way to assert your own individuality.

They can be worn in a way that is socially acceptable, i.e., ear piercing, or in a way that some may deem unprofessional, such as nose, eyebrow, or lip piercings.

Nowadays, many people and places of work are much more accepting of piercings being on show, as there is a tendency to be more accepting of an individual’s needs and desires to express themselves.

It is also possible to have concealed piercings that, while not on show, allow the wearer to hold on to a sense of individuality, albeit only for them to see.

This personal knowledge can be very empowering and give a sense of personal freedom.

In terms of the physical act of getting pierced, there is usually a small amount of blood released at the time.

This release of blood is highly symbolic as a way of releasing the old and welcoming the new.

Some women, after childbirth, choose to get intimate areas pierced as a way of reclaiming their body, saying goodbye to who they were, and welcoming in the new version of themselves.

Of course, there are many cultures across the world that adorn themselves with jewelry and piercings in highly symbolic ways as well, for example, Egyptians, Africans, Indians, Maori, and many more.

In these cultures, piercings are used as a way to denote each person’s standing within a community, giving a very quick and easy way to ascertain at which level each person is within a broader societal structure.

Ear stretching is another form of piercing that has become popular in western culture today but has its roots deep within ancient civilizations across multiple continents.

Ear stretching was, again, used as a rite of passage, and then subsequently often shown as discarded once further into adulthood.

There are different ways that people across the world stretch their ears, and many different cultures stretch to different sizes, but most are generally associated with a form of passage from one stage of life to the next.

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Lip piercings

Lip piercings are seen as a way to connect with the spirit world.

Additionally, they are believed to help open up the channels of communication between the physical and spiritual realms.

Medusa Piercing – Spiritual Meaning

A medusa piercing, strategically placed above the lip and below the septum, offers more than just an edgy aesthetic appeal. This piercing is associated with rebirth and renewal. It signifies the shedding of old patterns, beliefs, and limitations, much like a snake sheds its skin for a fresh start.

This piercing can act as a constant recall of personal evolution and the power of transformation.

The Medusa piercing also expresses a message of self-love and appreciation.

The location of the piercing, drawing attention to the lower half of your face, can be seen as an affirmation to love oneself, flaws and all. It encourages the wearer to appreciate their unique beauty and grasp their individuality.

The Spiritual Meaning of Tongue Piercing

A pierced tongue is thought to enhance communication and increase awareness of the spiritual realm. The tongue, being instrumental in speech, symbolizes our ability to express ourselves. Thus, a tongue piercing can signify open communication and an openness to spiritual experiences.

A tongue piercing can also be viewed as a representation of unspoken thoughts and secrets.

Akin to the piercing breaking through the flesh, this symbolism suggests a desire to break through barriers of communication and express concealed thoughts or feelings.

In Hindu culture, tongue piercing, involving driving a metal rod into the tongue, is believed to help attain spiritual purity. This practice, although painful, signifies devotion and the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment.

Historically, the Aztecs practiced tongue piercing as a blood sacrifice to honor their deities.

The inflicted pain was seen as a demonstration of honor to their gods, signifying reverence and commitment.

Tragus Piercing – Spiritual Meaning

A tragus piercing, located on the small pointed eminence of the outer ear, it is associated with Cancer, the zodiac sign known for intuition and emotion. This association suggests that a tragus piercing may enhance intuitive abilities and emotional sensitivity.

A tragus piercing is also believed to enhance focus and concentration.

It is said to make it easier to receive messages from the divine, acting as a conduit for spiritual communication.

Certain beliefs associate it with the spirit of death, implying that individuals with such a piercing might experience more painful situations than joy.

Nipple Piercing – Spiritual Meaning

Nipple piercings represent sexuality and sensuality. These piercings are thought to open up the wearer to their sexuality, helping them express it more freely. Nipple piercings also symbolize a sense of control over one’s body and a way to reclaim their physical autonomy. This act of personal freedom can be seen as a resistance against societal pressures.

Historically, nipple piercings have also been linked with strength and virility.

Centurions from ancient Rome displayed pierced, jeweled nipples as a testament to their strength.

Nipple piercings can also be seen as a symbol of exhibition and seduction, especially since they can be easily concealed or revealed depending on the wearer’s choice.

This element of surprise adds an extra layer of allure to the piercing’s symbolism.

Belly Button Piercing – Spiritual Meaning

Belly button piercings are usually seen as a symbol of fertility and abundance. They promote creativity and self-expression, allowing the wearer to communicate their individuality more freely.

In Hinduism and alternative medicine, it is believed that belly button piercing aligns or improves the function of the third chakra, the solar plexus.

A properly aligned third chakra is thought to encourage proper energy flow, promoting balance and well-being.

In ancient Egyptian culture, piercing the belly represented the liberation of your spirit from the mortal world. This interpretation suggests a journey to spiritual enlightenment.

What Does Eyebrow Piercing Symbolize?

Eyebrow piercings are seen as a symbol of individuality and non-conformity. They can be a way to express one’s unique personality and stand out from the crowd.

Getting an eyebrow piercing requires courage due to the potential pain involved and the bold statement it makes. As a result, it can symbolize bravery and daring.

Piercings and physical health

Some piercings can actually be used to improve certain aspects of health, too.

For example, there are some ear piercings that can be done, namely the Daith piercing, which is known to help people who suffer from migraines as it is said to work in a similar way to acupuncture, placing pressure on the vagus nerve and blocking the pain signal.

As with many ancient practices, there is some controversy over cultural appropriation and the appropriateness of those who are not embedded within certain cultures to undertake them.

However, it is safe to say that piercings are very prevalent across the world today and can be used as a fun way to add some personality and adornment to yourself.

Learning about the history of piercings, as well as other traditional practices, is always a great thing to do in order to expand your knowledge across different topics, so we hope you’ve found this article helpful in your learning journey.

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