The Illuminated Body: Representation in Medicine and Culture

The Pierced Body

People wear ornaments mainly to beautify the body. For some, however, ornaments and colors may also relate to a culture's symbolic and social system. For example, among the Suya people of Brazil, ear and lip discs are worn by both men and women. The ritual of piercing is linked to stages in life; ears are pierced and symbolically "opened" at adolescence when youth are expected to listen to the elders and follow their instructions. Large ear-discs made of wood or palm leaves are supported by distended ear lobes. Lips are perforated several years later as confirmation of adulthood. Men wear the ear-disc only on special occasions but never appear in public without the lip-disc. In this society, ear- and lip-discs are symbolic of the importance given to "hearing and understanding" and "orating and singing," respectively. Color also has special meaning: a lip-disc painted red signifies aggression; a white lip-disc is associated with passivity and represents knowledge. In other words, these art forms provide crucial information to those who see them. The Parts That Are Pierced

Nostril and Septum
The nostril is commonly pierced in Asia, especially in India, and is a practice gaining popularity in North America. The septum, the cartilage separating the nostrils, is often pierced in areas of Africa and Polynesia. Ornamentation of the nostril or septum can be a simple gold or silver hoop, or a more elaborate decoration made of shell, tusk, bone, or feather.

Ear
Ear-piercing is the most common form of this art. In contemporary society, men and women pierce their ears primarily for adornment.

Lip and Cheek
Perforating the lower lip and cheek is practiced among South Americans, Africans and Inuit. A small incision is made so a labret -- an ornament fashioned from quartz, bone, ivory, wood, graphite, or glass -- can be inserted through the opening in the skin. Labrets vary in shape and material, and range from two to ten centimeters. This form of piercing is often symbolic and associated with oratory traditions and skill. In some societies, labrets were removed before eating and sleeping.

Mouth
Some cultures enlarge the opening in the upper lip so that a plug or disc can be inserted. These wooden, stone, clay or quartz lip-plugs are still worn by men and women in a few parts of Africa. Initially, a small cut is made on the upper lip and a retainer placed within. As the wound heals, increasingly larger lip-plugs are inserted. The greater the size of the plug, the greater the status conferred on the wearer.