In almost every civilization, ear piercings were used for rituals or bodily ornamentation. The oldest evidence of ear piercing was found on the 5300-year-old mummified body of Ötzi de Iceman. He had a stretched ear piercing of 11 millimeters.
In some cultures, they believe that pierced ears protect you from evil and for others, it is a tradition.
In Eastern medicine, the ear contains vital acupuncture points and ear piercings can even have therapeutic value.
Sailors in the Middle Ages pierced their ears in the hope that when they drowned, their jewelry would pay for the burial as their bodies washed ashore.
Between the 4th and 16th centuries, the ear piercing lost popularity in Europe because hairstyles usually covered the ears. They returned to fashion again until the First World War, when clip-on earrings took over.
The most common piercings are placed in the earlobe but the possibilities for ear piercings are endless!
Both the harder (cartilage) and softer parts of the ear are suitable for piercings.
There are so many styles and choices that it is can be quite overwhelming and difficult to decide which ones you want. There are also various follow-up instructions and healing processes for different ear piercings. So think carefully about which piercing is best for you, read up on it and don't be afraid to ask around. Of course, it is also possible to have multiple piercings but beware, it can be addictive! :)
Below you will find a short overview of the many ear piercings that you can choose create your own customized look.