In recent years young people have an increased interest in piercings. Is a beautiful girl with a nose piercing fashionable, stylish or vulgar? Nose piercing means belonging to a certain subculture, a protest against traditional jewelry or the need to stand out from the crowd?
Historical background
Nose piercing means piercing and has two basic meanings:
- The piercing of various parts of the body (nose, lips, cheeks, belly button, etc.) for the purpose of later inserting one or more pieces of jewelry;
- the ornament itself in the form of a ring, a carnation, etc.
Such items have been known and popular since ancient times in various parts of the world (India, the Mughal Empire, the Bedouins, the Aztecs, the Maya, etc.).
In the XX century, the popularity of piercings among Europeans and Americans has increased. Decorating themselves in this way, representatives of punk culture and other newfangled movements at that time tried to mark their belonging to a particular cultural trend.
The XXI century has made some adjustments to the latest trends and the age qualification of the owners of piercings (the vast majority – young people under the age of 14-25 years). Nevertheless, it also remains popular and in demand.
What does a girl’s nose piercing mean?
For Indian women, a ring or an earring in a girl’s nose was associated with the cult of the goddess Lakshmi. She symbolizes well-being, good luck, vitality and prosperity. According to Ayurveda (alternative Indian medicine), the nostrils are associated with the reproductive organs of a woman. Therefore, the meaning of the nasal ring in a girl’s nose implies health and a woman’s ability to conceive a child and continue childbearing, which is her main purpose.
The piercings are made both at certain points in the wings of the nose and in the nasal septum. Often the piercing is done the night before the wedding, and a girl with a nose piercing on the side goes out to the groom and the guests, showing her readiness for marriage and fertility. Following tradition, such piercings were performed on the left side of the nose, sometimes connected by a chain to the earlobe.
In some Indian states, nasal septum (septum) piercings indicate that the wearer is a married woman. Others see it as protection and security. In the Australian tribes it was believed that the nose piercing smoothes the nose, makes it more graceful and beautiful.
Earrings, rings, and rarely chains are used as jewelry. A small piercing-nail in the nose (inlaid with precious stones or made of precious metal) looks miniature and graceful, giving the face a cute face with elements of coquetry.
Nowadays girls use the piercing of this area only as a decoration and to attract attention. Most often it is one or two small ornaments. Asymmetric (one-sided) piercings are also possible.
Men’s nose piercings
Men’s nose piercing ranks second in popularity after ear piercing. The Hindus pierced nose with a ring in the left nostril symbolized protection against sexual impotence and was performed before marriage. At the same time, members of several African tribes, when they put a ring in the nose, to emphasize their courage, fearlessness and bravery in the fight against the enemy or wild animals.
These days, male piercings have almost completely lost their symbolic purpose. Representatives of creative professions (artists, musicians, painters) or modern subcultures demonstrate their originality in this way.
Nose piercings are divided into the following basic types:
- Austin Bar – a piercing of the soft tissues of the tip of the nose;
- Nasallang – horizontal piercing of the nasal wings and septum;
- Bridge – puncture of the bridge of the nose.
In addition to these, there are other, less popular varieties. A man who wears a nose ring draws attention to himself and represents a certain interest.
Should you get a nose piercing?
Regardless of gender, age or social status, when thinking about the need for a piercing, you should pay attention to the following important criteria:
- Safety. Nose piercings, especially in hard-to-reach places, carry the risk of infection and injury. It should be performed only by qualified specialists.
- Conformity of the piercing with the specifics of work. For example, a ring in the nose, regardless of the cost and quality of precious metal, does not correspond to the image of a businessman. Not only that it does not match the style of clothing, such a decoration can discourage potential business partners from continuing to communicate.
- When performing piercings it is necessary to choose carefully jewelry that would not look vulgar, tacky and elementary uncomfortable when carrying out hygienic procedures.
- You should not overload the face and nose, including multiple piercings (ears, eyebrows, nose, lips, etc.). This will only emphasize a complete lack of sense of style and tastelessness.
- It is important to understand that in some countries the nose piercing is associated with centuries-old traditions, while in others it indicates informality or even kitsch (kitsch).
Which side to pierce the nose with
Followers and adherents of Indian traditions should pay attention to the decoration of the left side of the nose. For men and women, it is a symbol of male and female health and well-being.
If the purpose of the piercing is to decorate the nose and face, the choice of piercing area depends only on individual preferences. The main thing is that the piercing was in harmony with the features and proportions of the face, succinctly combined with the image being created.
As Juliana Wilson (author of many popular aphorisms) said: “The last drop has the greatest possibilities.” Piercings can beautify the face, make the image bold, risky, sexy, cute, or they can ruin it by filling it with vulgarity and banal primitivism.
