Men with pierced ears are nowadays associated with modern trends, which have their ancestors in ancient civilisations and different epochs. This might sound like a contemporary style where men can pierce their ears, but it holds much meaning, which we will find here. While much of it has been rooted in history – from the ancient warriors to the modern fashion icons – its use has been the pillar of society on issues concerning identity, status, and spirituality. 

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Historical Perspective of Ear Piercing for Men 

Ancient civilisations

Ear piercings among men can be dated thousands of years back. In Egyptian, Rome, and Greece ear piercing has been evident as a symbol of the social status of people, usually the leaders. The earring was a symbol of power as Egyptian pharaohs and Roman emperors used pieces of jewellery including earrings, to show people they were gods incarnate and were very wealthy. 

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This was common in most pre-industrial societies, among the warriors and the tribes. Earrings were considered a symbol of a warrior, they would get holes in their ears when they became adults or they had done something extraordinary in battle. In the same regard, ear piercing also had religious and spiritual significance in that men with pierced ears were protected from evil spirits & spiritually closer to the gods.

Middle Ages and Renaissance

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Whilst within the Middle Ages the practice of ear piercing in men began to decrease, the piercing remained popular among the fashionable and the elite. For example, sailors would get their ears pierced, and then hang gold earrings; should the unfortunate happen, and he died at sea, he would be buried with it to pay for the burial services. 

During the Renaissance period, the fashion for ear piercing regained its popularity among European nobility as well as among simple folks. Other changes that occurred were the modifications to the styles of piercing to fit the contemporary standards.  Noblemen and rich men wore earrings and they symbolised wealth or richness so earrings were an important component of the nobleman or rich man's dress code.

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Modern Era:

Men’s ear piercings in the modern world dramatically decreased mainly in the Western culture, where it was more associated with the feminine culture. For several decades, piercing the male ear was a sign of degeneration, but new movements of the counterculture of the sixties and seventies redeemed it. It became a trend among musicians, artists, and people belonging to other types of counterculture as a sign of defiance against the prevailing norms of society. It further continued throughout the late 20th and early part of the 21st century as more men embraced the practice of having their ears pierced with fashion and pop icons embracing the trend.

Cultural Significance

Indigenous Cultures:

Ear-piercing was called a symbol of nobility among African and Polynesian tribes where the size of the knockers and the type of piercing indicated the rank of the person or his achievements in society. All these practices are cultural and have a close affiliation with cultural dynamics and thus are often used for genealogical connectivity.

Eastern Cultures:

The tradition of ear piercing in cultures of the East – especially the Indian and Chinese civilisations has been that of health and astrology. For instance, the piercing of ears by a process known as Karnavedha is a traditional rite of passage amongst boys in India that is rooted in Hindu beliefs. 

Some point out that, for instance, to increase a man’s spiritual energy, he needs to pierce his ear, and there are similarities with acupuncture. In China, just like elsewhere in the world, ear piercing has similar implications to health and even ‘healing’ of the body and at times it is related to such concepts as enhanced fertility and increased life span.

Western Cultures:

Today, boys and men from Western society culture pierce their ears not only as a rite or mark of belonging to a certain tribe, clan, or group but for aesthetic and identity reasons. This is so because it is used to undermine the cultural connection of male-gendered roles. 

In the past, ear piercing among males could only be seen among the rebels who did not want to conform to the norms of society but today it has become one of the most popular trends that has influenced all segments of society and famous personalities like celebrities and athletes, business people and students. The practice enables the male subject to elicit identity in ways that diversify the narrative of masculinity thus making the society more tolerant.

Purpose and Benefits (Fact vs. Fiction)

Health Benefits:

There are some possible health advantages of ear piercing that have often been ignored. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, there are specific points of the ear that have a connection with healing. For instance, we heard some people saying that earlobe piercing assists in vision or digestion despite having very few bases on such claims. Further, if the right methods are employed the act of ear piercing is not very dangerous and has relatively low complications to the health of an individual in the long run.

Psychological Benefits:

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Psychologically, ear piercing may be beneficial in boosting the morale, self-worth, and the general perception an individual has about his body. Earring for many gentlemen is a kind of liberation and a sign of changing their personalities to become more fashionable. The decision to make an ear piercing and the process of putting on earrings can also build confidence through being able to boost the sense of identity.

Social Benefits:

Sociologically, male ear piercing defines how people treat the male gender or males. Jewellery can help open up a conversation, especially with the other person's earrings. They can also display confidence or uniqueness which makes the wearer become more friendly and hence easily approachable. While in some other circles, ear piercing can be associated with freedom and creativity as well as improving social relations and association.

Pick Up GIVA’s Men’s Earring for Bold Trends & Breaking Stereotypes

Needless to say, ear piercing for men extends far beyond modern fashion trends, rooted in a rich history and cultural significance that spans civilisations and continents. And GIVA fully understands that it remains a powerful symbol of personal identity, providing physical, psychological, social, and cultural benefits. So, it’s time that you pick up your favourite earring and embrace your personality.

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Shwetha J

Shwetha is a content writer who brings in Shopify & off-page SEO expertise, and matches her passion for dance off-duty.