If you’ve ever wanted a nose ring and announced your decision to others, they may ask why you want it in the first place, including questions like, “But do you even know what does a nose ring mean sexually?”
To many, nose rings have sexual connections that might suggest homosexuality, fertility, availability, or rebellion. However, those who wear nose rings get to decide what their body piercings mean.
So, what does a nose ring mean sexually? And can a nose ring be seen as a sexual symbol? Let’s explore those questions. Then, we’ll find the truth about the connection between sexuality and nose rings.
The Timeless Allure of Nose Rings
Nose rings may seem like a modern fashion statement, but these body piercings have been around for a long time.
Nose Rings Through the Ages
According to experts at the College of Physicians in Philadelphia, people have been wearing nose and septum rings since 44,000 BCE.
The earliest example of a nose piercing is a carved piece of kangaroo bone. It was likely worn in the septum to intimidate the wearer’s foes.
Yet, nose piercings could symbolize wealth, status, and age in ancient times.
In Mayan society, septum piercing was a coming-of-age ritual to identify a person as a Mayan. That’s because the neighboring Toltecs pierced the nostrils of young men from their villages.
Still, in Mayan and Toltec civilizations, the type of jewelry worn could suggest a person’s social status. According to experts, the most elite men would wear jade beads on their piercings. Lower-class individuals might wear ceramic or wooden beads.
However, nose piercings were mainly for women in the Middle East, India, and Egypt. Women wore these piercings, which represented fertility, on either the left or right nostril.
There is even mention of nose rings in the Bible. For example, in Gen. 24:47, Abraham’s servant places a nose ring on Rebecca’s nose, indicating that she will marry Isaac.
From Ritualistic to Trendy: How Nose Rings Became a Fashion Symbol
According to most people, nose rings only became popular in the USA after the hippie movement of the 1960s. Many spiritually rebellious and curious Americans flocked to India to practice under various gurus and yogis during this time.
When they returned to America, they brought their new nose piercings back. Thus began the association between rebellion and nose piercings.
From there, the punk rock movement of the 1980s further solidified nose piercings as a symbol of rebellion, creativity, and spirituality.
So, after all that, you’re likely still wondering: Is there a sexual meaning behind having a nose ring? Let’s get down to the answer!
Full Circle: How Nose Rings Are Connected to Fertility
So, now that you know about the history of septum and nostril piercings, what does a nose ring mean sexually?
In the easter tradition, nose rings symbolize fertility, marriage, and religious devotion. That’s due to the Hindu and Buddhist belief that the nose is connected to a woman’s reproductive health.
Nose piercings spread to India in the 16th century via the Mughal Empire. Over time, men who practiced Buddhism and Hinduism began to appropriate the Mughal tradition of gifting their fiancees nose rings. These nose rings served as engagement rings.
That’s because Indian texts such as the Sushruta Samhita, a Hindu medical text, suggest that nose rings placed in the right nostril promote fertility, make childbirth more manageable, and reduce period pain.
As such, throughout history, Hindu women generally had their right or left nostrils pierced at 16. Women would also wear elaborate nose rings on their wedding day.
Additionally, they were not supposed to remove their rings until their husbands died.
Because of their connection to marriage, nose rings, particularly silver ones, were connected to worshipping Parvati, a Hindu Goddess who presides over marriages.
It is from this tradition that nose rings and sexuality are connected. The belief that nose rings promote fertility and show a sign of devotion to a significant other has carried on into the modern day, sexualizing the simple nostril piercing.
A Global Phenomenon: Nose Piercings Around the World
In the USA, nose piercings are a symbol of creativity and rebellion. Still, in other places around the world, they have different meanings.
Forefathers and Fidelity: Eastern Views On Nose Rings
When it comes to understanding what does a nose ring mean sexually, the key insight lies in the Eastern perspective on such body modifications.
In the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia, nose rings symbolize femininity, fertility, and marriage.
For example, many Hindu-practicing brides still wear nose rings on their wedding days, and even more young women get their first nose rings around the age of 16.
While women don’t need to have nose rings, many still choose to honor the practice. They see getting the piercing as a way to pay respect to the traditional Indian women who came before them.
Additionally, many Indian women living in the USA or Europe still pierce their nostrils to honor the Goddess Parvati and their ancestors.
A Subculture Statement: Western Views On Nose Rings
In Western societies, nose rings emerged as emblems of the 1900s countercultural movements. Still, they are becoming trendy in the mainstream thanks to the many celebrities who wear them.
Because of the hippie, punk, and goth movements, nose rings have won their place as counterculture fashion statements in the West.
However, their significance as reminders of historical rebellions has made them popular among musicians, artists, and creatives.
From there, many people have begun seeing nose piercings as trendy fashion statements that all the coolest celebrities wear.
Is Wearing a Nose Ring Cultural Appropriation?
While many online activists may suggest that nose rings are a sign of cultural appropriation, the widespread history of nose rings as meaningful fashion statements suggests otherwise.
To traditional Indian women, wearing a nose ring can be seen as a form of cultural appropriation, especially when people wear the nose ring connected to an earring or headpiece by a chain.
These traditional nose rings are generally only worn by women on their marriage days. Anyone who wears them as a fashion statement may be culturally appropriative.
However, in general, nose rings have been worn by people from almost all cultures. That includes Egyptian, Mayan, Toltec, Bedouin, Indian, Native American, and African people. As such, they don’t belong to just one culture.
Mind, Body, and Piercing: What Nose Rings Mean
Nose rings can be interpreted in thousands of different ways. In most cases, that meaning is up to the wearer, but that hasn’t kept others from interpreting them differently.
What Does A Nose Ring Mean Sexually: What Sigmund Has To Say
That said, what are the sexual connotations associated with wearing a nose ring?
When answering the question of what does a nose ring mean sexually, we can’t leave out Sigmund Freud, a psychoanalyst who had the superpower of making anything seem sexual.
Remember how Ayurveda connects a woman’s reproductive health to the nose ring? Well, Freudian thought takes that relationship just a step further.
Nasogenital theory sees the nose as a direct link to the reproductive organs. Thus, by piercing the nose, Freud believed a patient had sexual trauma or an unwanted sexual urge.
This type of taboo thought, which manifested in the alteration of the physical body, was something Freud called “sublimation.”
Additionally, Freud believed that a man’s fixation on the nose was a sign that he was obsessed with his genitalia. By piercing the nose, a man might display a sexual disorder or taboo sexual preference.
Herein lies the connection between homosexuality and the nostril piercing.
While these things may or may not be true, it’s important to remember that Freud could make anything seem like a sexual issue.
Vibes and Signals: What Your Piercing Tells the World
There are many reasons why one would choose to wear a nose ring. However, in most cases, nose rings are simply a way to accessorize.
In the modern day, nose rings symbolize independence, free thought, and rebellion against the norm.
Nose rings have been used in this way in the Western world for over a century, as they were a large part of the hippie and punk movements.
However, a study from Communication Research Reports states that many employers see nose rings as a sign of untrustworthiness, thanks to those ties with rebellion. That’s why many people choose to hide their nose rings during job interviews.
The Dating Game with Piercings
Ultimately, what does a nose ring mean sexually? Well, it can mean a lot of different things.
Most people see nostril piercings as a sign of sexual openness, availability, and promiscuity. That is because of the lasting theory that the nose is directly connected to reproductive health.
Additionally, nose piercings are a bit taboo in the Western world, which may suggest that someone with a pierced nose is a bit more open to taboo things when it comes to sex.
Last but not least, some people may see nose piercings as a sign of homosexuality or queerness. Again, this thought comes from the nose piercing’s status as a symbol of rebellion and free thought.
So, when answering is there a sexual meaning behind having a nose ring, there’s no clear answer. While people may believe that nose rings have specific sexual meanings, there are many other reasons to get one.
The Nose Ring Revolution
So, now we know what does a nose ring mean sexually, let’s explore some reasons why nose rings have become more popular in the modern day.
Studies have proven that most people get piercings to make memories with loved ones, symbolize belonging to a group of people, or express their individuality.
However, nose rings can also be a way to stay up to date with the latest trends.
What Does A Nose Ring Mean Sexually: Nose Rings In Pop Culture
These days, nose rings are particularly popular with punks, goths, and counterculture groups. However, they fit into almost any aesthetic, depending on the type of jewelry.
For example, the nose jewelry commonly worn by minimalists are simple nostril studs. Meanwhile, punks and goths go for chunky, industrial-looking steel jewelry on both sides of their nose.
Those with a more femme aesthetic might choose detailed, ornamental floral nose rings. Those who identify as more masculine may choose plain silver or gold hoops.
There is no limit to what a nose ring can mean, especially when it comes to all the jewelry options out there.
Nose Rings Are Piercing Social Media
When getting your nose pierced, you might just be thinking about how good a nose ring looked on your favorite influencer or celebrity.
Whether you’re a follower of Travis Barker, Melanie Martinez, Demi Lovato, or Miley Cyrus, nose rings are in, and it seems like they’re here to stay.
According to surveys, 15% of men and 19% of women in the USA who have piercings have their noses pierced.
What Does A Nose Ring Mean Sexually: Be Yourself
While people may see nose rings in various ways, it’s up to you to define what it means.
Whether you’re an open-minded rebel or are paying homage to your ancestors by wearing your nose ring, wear it proudly!
Only you can write the rules and define what a nose ring means.
Takeaway: The sexual significance of a nose ring is up to the wearer. However, some people may see a nose ring as a symbol of sexual openness, rebellion, or homosexuality.
What Does A Nose Ring Mean Sexually: FAQs
What does a ring in a woman’s nose mean?
A ring in a woman’s nose can mean many things, including that she is of marriageable age, identifies as a part of a counterculture movement, or appreciates nose jewelry. However, nose rings often symbolize free thought and independence.
What does a nose piercing symbolize?
A nose piercing symbolizes independence and rebellion for many people, as nose rings are closely tied to counter-cultural movements. Additionally, a nose ring may symbolize that a woman is of marriageable age in Southerweastern cultures.
What does the nose piercing mean in marriage?
In marriage, a nose piercing means that a woman is of marriageable age. In India, a woman traditionally wears a nose ring on her wedding day and only removes her ring when her husband dies.
What Does A Nose Ring Mean Sexually?
The meaning of a nose ring depends on who’s looking. While some might associate it with being sexually open, most see it as a personal choice for style.
Tags: belly button piercings, nose piercing, left nostril pierced