Nose piercings such as nose rings and septum piercings are becoming increasingly popular in Western society, but this practice is anything but new. Various nose piercing traditions around the world date back centuries.
As social norms in the West have become more flexible regarding “professionalism” and general beauty ideals, the popularity of previously taboo body modifications—such as tattoos and piercings beyond the earlobes—has increased exponentially.
Many people today choose to get nose piercings simply for fashion reasons, but for many others the tradition has a special and spiritual meaning.
So, what is the significance of wearing a nose ring? Today we'll answer this question by exploring the origins, meanings, and history of nose rings.
First, let’s go over some basics about nose piercing.
Types of nose piercings
Today, the one-sided nose piercing is the most common type of nose piercing. Those who prefer a more subtle look can opt for a nose stud, while others opt for a nose ring. Most piercers use a twisted nose stud—a cross between a stud and a ring—for the first piercing to aid the healing process.
However, septum piercings (through the center, like a bullring) are becoming increasingly popular. A horseshoe-shaped nose ring is typically used for a first septum piercing.
In addition to placement, you can also customize the jewelry for nose piercings. The best metals for nose rings , for example, depend partly on how long you want the jewelry to last. But it can also depend on your complexion; warm-toned skin may be a better match for gold nose rings, while cool-toned skin may be a better match for sterling silver nose rings.
For a complete list of nose piercing types and what they look like, check out our ultimate guide to nose ring piercings .
Now that we've covered the basics, it's time to delve into the history behind nose rings.
When did nose rings first appear?
The oldest known mention of nose piercings comes from the Middle East and dates back approximately 4,000 to 5,000 years. About 2,000 years later, nose piercings were mentioned in the Old Testament. In Hebrew, it is called shanf , which translates as "nose ring."
The origins of septum piercings go back even further – the oldest known bone jewelry likely worn as a septum piercing was a handcrafted artifact found in Australia, dating to around 44,000 BC.
In fact, the oldest known mummified body, the 5,200-year-old Ötzi the Iceman, also has the oldest piercing ever found on a human (albeit an ear piercing). To save you the math, Ötzi lived sometime between 3,350 and 3,110 BC. The oldest known earrings are slightly younger, found in a grave dating to 2,500 BC.
However, the tradition of nose piercing has become more deeply rooted in certain cultures throughout history.
Which cultures use nose rings?
Nose piercings and nose rings are not exclusive to one culture. This custom is perhaps most commonly associated with Indian or Hindu culture. Between 700 BC and 400 AD (the Classical Era), nose rings were most commonly worn by people native to the SWANA countries (Southwest Asia and North Africa). These countries include:
l India
l Pakistan
l Sri Lanka
l Bangladesh
l Nepal
l Iran
North African communities such as the Beja and Berbers also commonly wear nose piercings. In the 16th century, the Mughal Empire in Central Asia, specifically Emperor Babur, brought the tradition of nose piercing to India and other South Asian countries.
Nose rings are also culturally widespread in Poland and among indigenous tribes such as Native Americans, Aboriginal Australians, and the Ilocano in the Philippines.
Each culture may have its own reasons for wearing nose rings.
Cultural reasons for nose rings
In SWANA countries, particularly in India, women and young girls traditionally wear nose piercings (which they call nath or nathori ) for a variety of reasons. These can range from rebellion against Western cultural expansion to displaying one's marital status to worshipping a goddess, to name a few.
Additionally, many African and Middle Eastern groups use nose rings of varying size and quality to indicate the family's wealth or class. Traditionally, husbands give their brides nose rings, often elaborate chains that drape decoratively over a woman's cheek and attach to her ear.
Nose piercing is part of the rite of passage for boys of the Arunta tribe of Central Australia and is performed as part of a ritual called the "nose bone ceremony." Similarly, many Native American boys have their noses pierced as part of a rite of passage after successfully returning from a vision quest.
Another common reason for nose piercings – usually adorned with bone jewelry – is the cosmetic purpose of making the nose flatter among many Australian Aboriginal tribes.
In contrast, women of the Apa Tani tribe in India, which originated in Tibet, apparently wore large nose piercings to appear less desirable to men from neighboring tribes.
Various indigenous tribes in America, Australia, South America, and India associate nose rings with warrior culture. The traditional bone septum piercing in Australia, for example, made one appear more intimidating.
In South American tribes, nose rings could symbolize a person's rank or victory in battle. This dates back to ancient Mayan ceremonies, where nose piercings were considered a status symbol. The ancient Mayans also used nose rings as a sign of wealth and military or social status.
Of course, many nose ring traditions have religious roots. So what does a nose ring mean spiritually?
Religious meanings of nose rings
Like many types of jewelry, nose rings and septum piercings have different spiritual or religious meanings depending on the culture and religion.
Meaning of nose rings in Hinduism
Hinduism is the third-largest religion in the world and originated in India. According to the Pew Research Center, about 60 percent of South Asians practice Hinduism.
Some branches of Hinduism include a group of 16 ceremonies called Shodasha Samskaras , which represent various rites of passage in life. The eighth of these is the Karnavedha Samskara, in which the ears of six- or seven-month-old babies are pierced to help them develop strong decision-making skills and intellect.
In Hinduism, nose rings have multiple meanings and purposes. While they were once worn only by Indian women, Indian men have recently begun wearing them as well.
What does a nose ring mean for a woman in Hindu tradition? Nose rings can have the following meanings for Hindu women:
Marriage: Wearing a nose ring is often an outward sign that a woman is married, although unmarried Hindu women are also allowed to wear nose rings.
Femininity: Younger Hindu women may wear nose rings as a coming-of-age ritual.
Goddess worship: Brides often wear nose rings to honor and receive blessings from Pavarti, the Hindu goddess of marriage. Parvati and other Hindu goddesses such as Lakshmi and Saraswati are also traditionally depicted wearing nose rings.
Health Benefits: According to some Hindu beliefs, nose rings help women be more fertile, experience less menstrual pain, and facilitate easier childbirth.
The above-mentioned alleged health benefits are related to Ayurvedic medicine and the belief that the nose is connected to the reproductive organs. Different communities traditionally pierce different sides of the nose to achieve these benefits—North Indians traditionally wear nose piercings on the left side, while South Indians typically have them on the right.
Hindu women most commonly wear nose rings on the left side, but some wear them on both sides.
In some Hindu communities, women remove their nose rings after their husband dies.
Nose piercings in indigenous cultures
In various indigenous tribes, septum nose rings have cultural and spiritual significance.
In North American tribes, it was not only a rite of passage, but other members, such as Shawnee leaders (including the famous Tecumseh), also wore nose rings to indicate their leadership. The name of one tribe native to Washington, the Nez Perce, is actually derived from the French term for "nose piercing."
In Central and South America, the ancient Aztecs, Incas, and Mayans decorated their septum rings for religious purposes. They often used gold and jade, as these were rare and strong, to symbolize the importance of their religious rituals, as only the finest materials could be worn to honor their gods. The Guna (or Cuna) tribe in Panama continues this tradition to this day.
Members of the Asmat tribe in Irian Jaya (now West Papua or New Guinea ) wear large, thick bone septum rings called otsj, which are traditionally made from boar's teeth, pig's leg bones, or the bones of defeated enemies.
Nose rings in Western society
Nose rings only entered Western society more recently when they were spread by sailors returning from areas where nose rings were culturally established.
The first major introduction of nose rings into Western culture occurred in 1913. Ethel Granger, beauty icon and record holder for the smallest waist, further popularized nose piercings and other body modifications.
However, the modern trend for nose rings in Western society only reached its peak in the 1960s, when so-called "hippies" traveled to India for spiritual enlightenment and brought the trend home. In the 1970s, people from the punk and goth subculture also wore nose rings.
Music videos in the 1990s and other celebrity appearances with nose rings helped the trend spread even further into mainstream culture.
But what significance did nose rings have in these groups?
What do nose rings symbolize today?
Since their introduction in the hippie, goth, and punk movements of the late 20th century, nose rings have become a symbol of rebellion, counterculture, and nonconformity in Western society. Septum piercings, in particular, are widespread in the rebellious anarchist or punk subculture.
Aside from subversion or rebellion, nose rings are often simply a fashion accessory in today's Western society. The style can be chosen for an unusual look or simply because you like it.
Ironically, many South Asians who have immigrated to the West (or whose families have immigrated there) wear nose rings to symbolize their resistance to Western beauty standards and to acknowledge their heritage despite the pressure to conform.
According to a 2021 Wall Street Journal article , "Generation X and older Millennial women are spending increasing amounts of money on numerous earlobe and cartilage piercings. Some awaken long-dormant wild veins. Others affirm their identity."
Which type of nose ring is best?
As you can see, there are many different reasons and traditions for nose rings. Whether you wear them for religious, cultural, or fashion reasons, there are dozens of unique nose rings to suit every taste and purpose. If you ask us, the best nose ring for you is the one you feel most comfortable with!
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