National Piercing Day
National Piercing Day:
Celebrated annually on May 16th, National Piercing Day is a fun holiday that pays tribute to the art of piercing! Do you too love getting your body pierced? Maybe the intriguing history of body piercing could help you appreciate this art even better!
| Year | Date | Day | Where |
| 2023 | 16th May | Tuesday | United States |
| 2024 | 16th May | Thursday | United States |
| 2025 | 16th May | Friday | United States |
Twitter Hashtags:
#NationalPiercingDay
#PiercingDay
Related: Other National Days Celebrated on May 16th:
National Coquilles Saint Jacques Day
National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day
Why Piercing Day?
Piercing is an act of puncturing a body part to implant jewelry. It modifies the way people’s body appears. The most common types are ear and nose piercings!
Today, some even get subdermal implants of gold, platinum, titanium, or medical-grade steel to enhance their skin profile.
The tradition of piercing is centuries old and wasn’t always used for fashion purposes. It has been practiced by people for various reasons across the globe. And this inspired the formation of National Piercing Day – to remind people of the importance and history of piercing as well as to create awareness about the numerous piercing styles and forms existing among different cultural groups.
Did you know? piercing was a prerequisite for the Native American religion to acquire spiritual visions at the Sun Dance ceremony. In Ayurveda, piercing is believed to cure various ailments!
African and Middle Eastern cultures generally practiced lip, tongue, nipple, navel, and genital piercing, and the practice dates back to Ancient Rome.
Piercing became more common in western countries post World War II.
Studies show that people undergo piercing to conform to their religious beliefs or rebel against them. Some get pierced for sexual pleasure too.
This art form has evolved over the centuries and even the piercing technology too. Since piercing could have drastic effects on some people such as infection, allergic reaction, excessive scarring, it is advised to use sanitary piercing equipment and procedure. It is crucial to take care after piercing to prevent serious problems.
But yet piercing is an amazing opportunity to decorate your body with various stylish accessories. The right piercing and jewelry can enhance your outfit and looks!
How Can We Observe National Piercing Day?
- Get pierced today!
You will find many piercing offers and discounts online and in stores today! So grab the deals and get yourself the piercing you always admired!
- Educate yourself on piercing
Read up on the history of piercing, cultural significances, and the different piercing styles from across the globe! You will be surprised, how little you know!
- Spread awareness
Unsafe piercing practices are high among young people. You could help spread awareness by sharing flyers that have information on piercing safety.
- Help a friend get pierced.
Piercing can cause anxiety for many people. The fear of the needle and the pain prevents them from getting it done. If you do have such friends, accompany them to stay by their side for their piercing.
- Show-off your love for piercing
You could showcase your piercing styles, share blogs and vlogs on safe piercing on social media today! Use #NationalPiercingDay and #PiercingDay to share your love for piercing!
Interesting Facts About National Piercing Day:
- The practice of nose piercing can be traced back to 1500 BC.
- In ancient Egypt, navel piercing was reserved for the royalty.
- Ancient Romans pierced their nipples to showcase their strength and vigor. It was also a symbol of honor and unity among the Roman army that even Julius Ceaser had got his nipples pierced.
- The Aztecs, Mayans, and various American Indians practiced tongue piercing as they believed it to bring them closer to their gods.
- Piercing was used to showcase materials like feathers, bones, and tusks among the tribes in the Solomon Islands and New Guinea.
- Some traditions consider long earlobes to be more attractive than jewelry.
- Aztecs and Mayans considered lip labrets that were carved into mythical figures as highly attractive and enhancing sexuality.
- Sailors believed getting their ears pierced helped them have good vision. And some wore it in case they died and were found by people, the jewelry could be used to have a proper Christian burial.
- Primitive tribes wore metal earrings believing that metals had powers to prevent evil spirits from possessing them.
- The healing time for piercing depends on the body part being pierced – a month for the genital area to two full years for the navel area.
- Elaine Davidson holds the Guinness record for 9,000 piercings!
History of National Piercing Day:
It is believed that this day originated in 2007 as people interested in body piercing came together and declared May 16 to celebrate it. While it is still an unofficial fun holiday, National Piercing Day witnesses more and more people joining it each year in the US! .
