What is a rook piercing?
The rook piercing – piercings of all kinds have been fashionable since the 1990s at the latest. But this type of jewelry has a long tradition among many indigenous peoples all over the world. Native American tribes around the world use piercings to, among other things, illustrate their social status. Similar to tattoos, they were and are also used to hold rituals and ceremonies. One of the parts of the body that is pierced most frequently is the ear. But here too, experts distinguish between different areas. While with a so-called ” forward helix ” the inner ear lobe is pierced, with a simple ” helix ” the outer ear lobe is pierced. A trend that is not entirely new is the rook piercing.

However, this body jewelry has no proven traditional background. Rather, this accessory is purely about decorating the body. This piece of jewelry owes its name to the piercer Eric Dakota. He is nicknamed ” Rook ” and is said to have made this form of ear piercing popular. This piercing was first mentioned by name in a magazine in 1992.
Piercing a rook piercing
The rook is located at a very specific point in the ear. It is pierced vertically through the upper cartilage , which lies between the helix and the auricle. It thus forms a bridge to the helix and the widely used lobe piercing .
Of course, the area where the rook will be placed is disinfected before treatment. To avoid injuring the surrounding areas, the rook piercing is usually done with a curved needle. Piercers often use a tube (receiving tube) in their studios to prevent injuries in the immediate vicinity.
Risks of a Rook Piercing
Since the affected area of the ear is made of solid cartilage tissue, healing takes a relatively long time compared to other piercings. Depending on the care and “healing tissue”, the wound can heal between two and four months. The rook is one of the most painful piercings . The procedure also takes a while, since the piercer has to slowly pierce through the thick cartilage .
As with all other piercings, there is a risk of touching the part of the body in everyday life. This can often lead to severe and sudden pain. With a piercing, this risk is particularly present when sleeping or talking on the phone.
If the piercing becomes infected (which is rare if well cared for), the cartilage can become deformed. However, this can happen to any pierced cartilage.

Which is the right jewelry?
The rook piercing is an ear piercing . Rings are often used at the point where the piercing is made. There are a number of options to choose from, including ball closure rings, segment rings, horseshoes or segment clickers. From this large selection, you can also choose from different colors. The material should be made of bioflex or titanium . However, in addition to the classic rings, it is also possible to use curved barbells.
Estimated Healing Time for Rook Piercing
Approx. 3 – 4 months
FAQ
How much does a rook piercing cost?
The cost of a piercing is on average 30 – 60 EUR . Since the rook runs through the auricle, both a needle and punching can be used for piercing. Punching is particularly suitable for cartilage tissue, as it creates very precise wound edges that heal much faster.
Pain from a rook piercing?
The pain that occurs when piercing or punching a rook piercing is one of the more painful piercing channels in ear piercings . Since most of the piercing is through cartilage, the pressure on the tissue is also much greater. In addition to the piercing channel, the insertion of the jewelry and the swelling of the tissue in the days that follow can also cause pain.
Rook inflamed?
If a rook piercing has become infected, it can easily lead to significant redness and swelling. In this case, any additional pressure on the area by wearing hats or sleeping should be avoided. If the infection does not subside , a doctor’s appointment should be made to avoid effects on the inner ear.