Nose Piercing Meaning Indian Culture

In general, wearing of nose rings is considered as an ancient practice in India. Wearing of nose rings is considered as a good act, and most of the women believe, that by wearing the holy nose rings, their lives and their life partner’s lives would go stronger.

In Hinduism, in some communities, the nose ring of a woman is removed after the death of her husband.Wearing of nose ring is also believed as an act of honouring the Goddess Ma Shakti Devi, who is considered as the Goddess of marriage.

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But there is no compulsion of nose piercing for Indian women. At the present situation, some girls are disinterested to pierce their nose, by telling the reason, that it is an ancient practice, which didn’t suits for them in the present day world. Modern girls are ignoring the ancient practice of nose piercing, since some of them might feel some uneasiness in their nose.

Should Nose Piercing Be Done On The Left Side Or The Right Side?

But some women, who strictly follow the Indian traditions, would pierce their nose, by believing that it is the instruction given to them by Ma Shakti Devi. If we see the practice of nose piercing from scientific point of view, it would give good resistance to the body of women, and blood circulation levels also would be properly flown in their body.

If we see the pictures of the goddess like Parvati, Lakshmi and Saraswati, their nose would be pierced with golden nose rings. As per our holy texts, the divine celestial dancers in the heaven also would pierce their nose with beautiful nose rings, since it would add more beauty to them.

Still some Village Indian women used to consider their nose rings similar to the holy Mangalsutra, and treat it as a sacred object. In general, by wearing of nose rings, the women’s beauty would be added, and she would appear similar to Ma Shakti Devi. But it all depends on the mentality of the women, their nature, and their living habits.Whatever the original reason, nose piercing is now intrinsic to traditional ornamentation. Nose studs and rings come in a variety of materials, sizes, and styles and are an essential item in the Indian bride’s ensemble.

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In southern India, the right nostril is preferred over the left. A large number of Hindu women wear them, though it is a common practice among Muslims, too. Among Hindus, nose piercing is usually done around 16 years of age, when girls were traditionally considered ready for marriage.

On a more serious note, the word ‘sari’ originated from the Sanskrit ‘sati’, which means ‘piece of cloth’ and evolved into the Anglicized ‘sari’. The tradition of wearing unstitched fabric by both men and women in India is steeped in antiquity and symbolism. Stella Kramrisch, India scholar and curator from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, writing on ancient Indian culture says, “In the Rig Veda and the Upanishads, the universe is envisioned as a fabric woven by the gods.  The cosmos… is one continuous fabric with its warp and woof making a grid pattern…Whether as a cover for the body or as a ground for a painting, the uncut fabric is a symbol of totality and integrity.  It symbolizes the whole of manifestation.”

Regional traditions of wearing the sari are varied, but the pan-Indian style of draping this garment remains most popular – pleated in front, with one long loose end (the pallu) across the chest and slung over the left shoulder.

Nose Piercing Types: Different Kinds Of Nose Piercings

Few garments can match a sari for versatility. It can show off a waist or conceal the plump. Draping preferences also reflect a woman’s personality – sober, sensual, modest, or flirtatious!

The dot or bindi as it is popularly known derives from the Sanskrit ‘bindu’. It symbolizes shakti or feminine energy as represented by Parvati, the mother goddess. Traditionally, the bindi is worn by single and married Hindu women; the application of a vermilion dot by a groom on his bride’s forehead is a highlight of the marriage ceremony. Bindis are also believed to ward off the ‘evil eye’.

Bindis are a fashion statement today, worn by all Indian communities and come in a huge variety of designs. Traditionally made of organic dyes and powders, modern, bindis, made of felt, are self-adhesive and reusable.Perhaps I made that association because none of the white adults in my life had any piercings aside from on their earlobes. And while only a few women in my Indian family had a nose piercing, looking at traditional Indian wedding pictures and seeing ornate chains going from the nostril to the ear made me associate nostril piercings with South Asian style and culture.

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Spiritual Meanings Of Nose Piercing On Right Side & Left Side

But what is the history of nostril piercings around the world? And why do they seem to be gaining popularity in the West?

The first known written record relating to a nostril piercing dates to over 4000 years ago, found in the Middle East. Nostril piercings were also mentioned in the Bible, with the Book of Genesis describing Abraham’s son Isaac giving his future wife a golden “shanf” (“golden earring” or “nose ring”).

It is thought that nostril piercings were transported from the Middle East to India in the 1500s through the Mughal Empire. The nath (nose ring/stud) is popular across the country, but traditions vary depending on region, culture, and religion.

Why Are Girls' Noses Always Pierced On The Left Side?

For example, in South India, many women wear a nath on the right nostril, while in more northern regions, it is more commonly worn on the left nostril. In Ayurvedic sciences – the traditional Hindu healing system – the left nostril is associated with female reproductive organs, and thus a left nostril piercing is thought to alleviate pain during periods and childbirth. Furthermore, a nath traditionally symbolises being married in Hinduism, and a bride’s nostril should be pierced around the time of the wedding.

These Indian traditions definitely would have subconsciously impacted how I perceived nostril piercings when I was growing up. In fact, the association I made between the two was so strong that it deterred me from getting a nostril piercing when I was a teenager, for fear that it would make me ‘look too Asian’. I had internalised the racism I saw around me and attempted to distance myself away from any Indian culture.

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I eventually grew out of this naïve mindset – and I am so grateful I did. By getting my nostril piercing last year, I felt like I was marking the end of an ignorant outlook that held me back for so long and I was symbolising the journey of embracing my heritage. However, nostril piercings have also gained popularity in the Western world. Perhaps my nostril piercing wasn’t actually me symbolising anything, but just hopping on the bandwagon of yet another trend?

Nostril Piercings: An Expression Of Identity Or Just Another Trend?

Century, they were not popularised until the 1960s, with the hippie movement in the US. They were seen as a sign of rebellion against the status quo. This perception continued with nostril piercing’s prominence in goth and punk rocker culture in the 1970s and 1980s.

Since then, nostril piercings have maintained a strong place in Western fashion and are also not just limited to women’s specific styles. Nowadays, piercings and tattoos are more accepted in some professions, allowing people to express themselves how they choose.

Indeed, just because they are more accepted and are seen as a ‘trend’, for some people piercings are still an expression of identity. For example, nose piercings – including nostril and septum piercings – are common amongst the LGBTQ+ community and some see piercings as being tied to their queer identity.

The Hidden Symbology Of Right And Left Nose Piercings

Some might attribute the rise in popularity of nostril piercings in the West to the prominence of cultural appropriation. Some might see it simply as an exchange of cultures, similar to how nostril piercings were transported from the Middle East to the Indian subcontinent. Either way, nostril piercings are now a firm favourite in Western fashion trends.

Scientific

But their popularity does not take away from how nostril piercings can become prominent symbols of one’s identity for some. They can be both a fashionable accessoryExplore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Curious to know what people were wondering about Hindus and Hinduism, I went to Google and entered some prompts. For example, I typed “Why do Hindus” and then paused to see what questions would come up. I’m going to be doing a series of answers for Google to help people get their most pressing questions answered. First up…

Why Do Many Muslim Women I've Seen Have Nose Piercings? Is It Part Of The Religion Or Their Personal Style?

Elaborate decoration of Hindu women (well, brides in particular) is a tradition from ancient times. Hindu women often have many beautiful pieces of jewelry. In ancient times and still through modern times for some people, a woman’s wedding jewelry was hers to keep while everything else became her husband’s. A woman’s family would provide her with expensive jewelry as a form of savings account. If times were hard, a woman always had valuable jewelry she could sell if she needed help.

A nose ring is also one of the several symbols of a married woman. In some regions a girl’s nose is pierced once she