Maniam PS [Guru] Reward Points : 137200 Member Since : Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Unlike other jewelleries, the earring has been worn by men and women in India throughout the ages. Is wearing of earring an origin of the Indians especially by men.
Ancient Sanskrit literature describe girls wearing fresh flowers in their ears. A range of floral earrings of gold, silver or precious stones that have been popular over the centuries in India suggest that the forms of flowers were, almost literally, translated into precious jewelry. Most ear ornaments are virtually bunches jhumka of fruits and flowers. A particular type, known as the karnphul, i.e. ear-flowers is considered particularly auspicious. These are an important, universal, large, round metal flower-form earring, with a central stud at the back being the equivalent of a flower stem. Karnavedha or the practice of wearing earrings is one of the Hindu Sanskars sacraments performed for a child. It is an ear piercing ceremony that occurs in the third or fifth year for some Hindu children. Karnavedham is done with a particular thorn. Butter is applied to the wound. In several communities Karnavedha is applicable to both male and female children. Yogis most commonly those of Natha tradition follow the practice of stretching the piercings to stimulate the psychic nerves connected to the ears. As for men, it is said that in good olden days, Sailors wore earrings to cover the cost of a christian burial in the event of shipwreck and thier bodies washed up on shore. Men have worn earrings for as long as civilization has existed. Jade earrings dating to 3000 BC have been found in Southeast Asia. Many of those earrings adorned men, not women. Modern day questions about what earring wearing symbolizes for men are rooted in phobias about sexuality and gender. Binary genderism requires an all or nothing approach to gender expression. The reality, though, is that trends come and go as fashions rooted in historical necessity fade into obscurity. For the first time primitive man pierced himself with a tooth or a bit of bone, earrings were one of many adornments that spoke of power: the ability to conquer something larger and more dangerous than himself, in order to protect himself, the tribe and the local food supply. Use of horns and teeth were particularly prized, as these showed just how difficult the battle for survival had been, proving the man s fitness to mate, to hunt and to lead. From these bone ornaments, earrings evolved to include any rare and difficult to obtain substance that could be molded, shaped, carved or otherwise embellished to attract attention and give the message that the wearer was someone who mattered. History: As man began to form civilizations that depended less on conquering nature for survival, earrings were made of precious stones and metals rather than bones of conquered animals and enemies. Earrings and other jewelry became symbols of power, wealth and ownership. Women were gifted with earrings and other jewelry upon becoming brides. Those who chose to serve the powerful and wealthy rather than seek their own power and wealth took earrings and other jewelry in exchange for their pledge of service. New slaves were often chained to keep them from running away. As they showed their master their loyalty, however, the chains became smaller, and eventually became symbolic, worn as earrings or arm bracelets. It is partly this history of bondage that colors many questions about the appropriateness of earrings for men. It is significant that more men are comfortable wearing earrings and expressing their sense of style in other ways: colorfully dyed hair, soft fabrics for clothing, wider range of acceptable color choices, and even taking better care of skin and hair. Removal of artificial distinctions of what is for men and what is for women eliminates the basis for much of the discrimination and hatred suffered by those who do not conform to binary gender expressions.
Earring
