Extreme body piercing (or modification) - Essay Example

Body piercing and tattooing have long been in existence mostly as traditional ritual in various cultures in the world. People have been piercing their various body parts as part of tradition or as a way of beautifying themselves with jewellery and other accessories pierced in their various body parts. Tattooing has been a very popular ritual among the various tribes also. Today the focus of piercing has shifted from the traditional ritual practice to a fashion statement. In India, nose rings and earrings have been worn by women for centuries as beauty accessories while the royalties of ancient Egypt have been known to practice ear and naval piercing.

It was believed that the pharaohs of Egypt were the only one who could pierce their naval and anyone else doing so was punished by death penalty. In the Roman Empire, soldiers and other people got their nipples pierced to show their loyalty towards their king. Julius Caesar also wore nipple ring to show his prowess and his alliance with his soldiers. The nipple ring was a strong link which united the roman soldiers. It was also considered a macho sign signifying vigour and potency. The African and some south Asian tribes have very bizarre traditions and rituals of piercing objects in their body parts as part of their religious ceremonies.

Extreme body piercing has often been treated as an expression of penitence in many religious practices of African and South American tribes. Tongue piercing was practiced as an appeasement to God so that His blessings could be obtained for their tribes and general welfare. In ancient Aztecs ‘Aztec and Maya were known for their skills as great warriors and they indulged in septum piercing so that they seemed more ferocious to their enemies’ (internet). In the late sixties, piercing became popular in the west when the hippies started piercing their nose, ears and naval and adorning them with jewelleries.

Later the members of gay communities pierced their one ear and started wearing earrings as a way of declaring their sexual preference. This was followed by punk cultures of the seventies for whom piercing their body parts and wearing jewellery was seen as a sign of rebellion. The punks took the body piercing from the conventional to the extreme by piercing their tongues, cheeks and other body parts. Today, piercing of body parts has become a popular way of flaunting not only their bodies but their intent of purpose of declaring their bizarre sexual preferences and profound body experiences bordering on obsession.

Body modification or ‘Bod mod’ as it is known in USA is an example of extreme body piercing in the name of fashion. Celebrities and professionals exhibit their pierced body parts and tattoos which are then rampantly followed by their fans. Mel Brown from the Spice Girls, is one of the most famous celebrity who flaunts her pierced tongue! Body modification has taken the extreme body piercing from the conventional to the grotesque where people get pierced and tattooed in the most unimaginable parts of their body with insertion of metal rings and other objects under the skin and bones.

In 1998, BBFC1 classified a 42 minutes film on extreme piercing with an 18 rating. The film was gruesome in its content and defied common human decency and tolerance and naturally caused a huge public outcry. Many scene of the film were considered illegal in the country (BBC, internet).Today the extreme body piercing seems to have moved beyond the traditional and cultural significance to the modern statement of declaring individual preferences. People throughout the world are trying to outdo each other in extreme body piercing so much so that it has become not only dangerous but extremely hazardous for their long time health and welfare.

There is urgent need to bring strong constitutional framework for extreme body piercing which could have long term physical and psychological repercussions for the young generations at large.ReferenceBBC News. Extreme Body Piercing. Available: [October 1, 2007].History of Body Piercing. Available: [October 1, 2007].