What Does Your Body Piercing Say About You? The Hidden Meanings Behind Popular Piercings

People have been performing body piercings for thousands of years. Whether it's expressing individuality, participating in a religious ceremony, or displaying social status, body piercings have been a part of generational milestones like entering adulthood, getting married, or celebrating a birth. In many cultures, body piercings offer protection from evil spirits and heal physical ailments. These are still the same reasons people get pierced today! Wondering what your body piercing means and says about you? We discuss the meanings behind many of the most popular body piercings below. 

Let’s get pierced! Check out our body piercing studio in Orlando. Book your Orlando body piercing appointment with Fine Ink Studios today!

Earlobe Piercings

Earlobe piercings have been a part of culture since Mesopotamia (the world’s first recorded civilization). Here, people wore earrings to show off their wealth and social status. In ancient Egypt, royal families wore extravagant, dangling earrings to display their wealth, status, and divine nature. Others in ancient Egypt wore earrings to protect against evil spirits. Buddhism has a long history of symbolic earlobe piercings that are still practiced today. In this religion, lobe piercings signal the path to enlightenment, connecting both sides of the head together. In Hinduism, earlobe piercings are a way to worship the god Shiva. Ear piercings also play a significant role in Ayurveda, the ancient Hindu medicine practice. In Ayurveda, ear piercings are placed on two acupressure points in the head, improving hearing and eyesight. In the West, earrings made of diamonds and gemstones show off the wearer’s wealth and status.   

Nose Piercings

Nostril and septum piercings are an important part of Hindu culture, with significant cultural and religious meanings. Nose piercings are a rite of passage in Hinduism that honor Parvati, the goddess of power, nourishment, fertility, and marriage. In India, nose piercings are one of 16 sacraments that mark life milestones like marriage and childbirth. The nose is an essential energy center, and nostril piercings are believed to help stimulate the third-eye chakra, improving your intuition and connection to higher realms of consciousness. In Buddhism, nose piercings enhance spiritual awareness, balance, and mindfulness. Members of some African tribes use nose piercings to connect with ancient ancestors and open spiritual communication. In the West, nostril and septum piercings signaled rebellion against social norms in the late 20th century, especially in punk and goth subcultures. Today, nose piercings are common and widely accepted as a mainstream form of body art.

Lip and Tongue Piercings

Lip and tongue piercings are a newer Orlando body piercing trend and hold several different meanings. Lower-lip labret piercings are associated with sensuality. Monroe piercings, which are placed in the location of Marilyn Monroe’s iconic beauty mark, symbolize beauty and feminine energy. Medusa piercings symbolize rebirth and renewal, which are placed in the indentation between your upper lip and nose. 

Tongue piercings were popularized in ancient Mayan and Aztec cultures. There, tongue piercings were a regular part of religious ceremonies and medicinal practices. Shamans in Peru wore tongue piercings to display their spiritual connection to other realms. In North America, Native American shamans also used tongue piercings to open communication with the spiritual realms.   

Navel Piercings

Belly button piercings gained popularity in North America and other Western cultures in the 1990s and early 2000s, when fashion trends like crop tops and low-rise jeans highlighted a person’s midriff and belly button. Famous celebrities like Britney Spears and Beyoncé made even more people want this type of piercing. In traditional yoga, one of the most important chakras in the body is the solar plexus, which is located at your belly button. Some believe belly button piercings can help stimulate this chakra to promote creativity and holistic wellness.. In Indian cultures, navel piercings carry similar meanings to nostril piercings, representing abundance, fertility, and sensuality.

Eyebrow Piercings

Another new piercing trend is eyebrow piercings. Several spiritual groups believe eyebrow piercings represent resilience and strength and enhance your ability to see beyond the physical realm. Horizontally placed piercings are associated with balance and harmony. In the West, eyebrow piercings signify rebellion against social norms and individuality.

Visit Fine Ink Studios for Orlando Body Piercing

Whatever your reason for getting your Orlando body piercing, we can help you achieve your ideal look at Fine Ink Studios! Our piercings are performed by certified body artists in a salon-like setting, providing a safe and healthy experience. Our studios are located throughout Central Florida, so booking your body piercing appointment is always convenient. For more piercing inspo, check out our Instagram. For more trends and resources about body piercing in Orlando, check out the guides on our blog.