Welcome to our top 10 revolting expedition into the macabre world of body piercing. From holy symbols of ownership to grotesque rituals that would make even the most hardened sailor wince, we’re counting down the most unsettling practices ever recorded. Grab a cup of tea (or a steel hook) and prepare to be both horrified and fascinated.

Why These Top 10 Revolting Piercings Matter

10. Ownership And Servitude

According to both the Old and New Testaments, piercings served as a divine badge of devotion, identification, and personal ownership. They were thought to invoke the protection of specific masters or deities, meaning any harm to a pierced individual would invite heavenly retribution.

Israelite customs echoed this sentiment: biblical passages describe men, women, and children adorning facial piercings to signal status and ownership. It was even common for a master to pierce a slave’s ear “to symbolize ownership and permanent servitude,” turning flesh into a literal property tag.

Modern Mormon doctrine, however, discourages all non‑medical piercings. Today, girls may wear a modest pair of earrings, but boys are barred entirely. BYU officials have even warned that breaking this rule makes the campus “not the place for you,” underscoring how the notion of ownership through piercings persists in new forms.

9. The New Craze

The Victorian era isn’t just prim tea parties and corsets; it also harbored a surprisingly liberal attitude toward body art. Women secretly adored tattoos, and beneath their stiff bodices they flaunted daring nipple rings. Believing that pierced nipples would widen the derrière, Parisian jewelers saw a rush of clientele eager for gold “bosom rings.”

The trend leapt across the Channel, and British women began sporting twin gold rings, sometimes linked by a delicate chain. Though the craze burned bright, it fizzled out by the early 1900s, leaving only scandalous sketches of Victorian daring.

8. Legislation

In the 21st century, bizarre piercings have spurred new laws. Pennsylvania became the first state in 2011 to ban tattoos and piercings on animals after a woman was caught piercing kittens’ ears and marketing them as “gothic” pets online.

Chicago later reported wild rabbits hopping downtown with dangling earrings, prompting officials to label the act animal mutilation. The perpetrator remains at large, highlighting how animal piercings can still slip through legal cracks.

New Jersey took it a step further in 2014, imposing harsher penalties for piercing a pet’s ear than for piercing a child’s. The state classified needless animal tattooing or piercing as a fourth‑degree felony, punishable by up to 18 months behind bars.

7. Superstitions

In Madhya Pradesh, India, the full‑moon celebration of Chaitra Poornima—known locally as Hanuman Jayanti—features a communal body‑piercing ritual aimed at curing chicken‑pox. Villagers believe that threading a needle through a person’s flesh, while hymns echo, channels divine power to expel the virus.

Chicken‑pox, caused by the Varicella Zoster Virus, can be deadly without vaccination, claiming roughly 7,000 lives worldwide. The ritual’s odd premise rests on faith that the piercings will drive the infection out, despite the obvious medical risks.

One hopes the needles used are sterilized; otherwise, participants face far more danger than the disease they aim to defeat.

6. Bloodletting

The ancient Maya practiced elaborate bloodletting ceremonies, believing that piercing specific body parts would appease the gods and induce altered states of consciousness. Tongues, lower lips, cheeks, and even the foreskin were sliced with tools ranging from stingray spines to flint blades.

After the incision, strips of straw were threaded through the wounds, allowing blood to flow freely. Unlike the Aztecs, the Maya performed fewer human sacrifices, though infant decapitations have been documented as part of certain rites.

Archaeological evidence confirms these rituals were central to Maya spirituality, intertwining pain, art, and devotion in a vivid tableau of ancient religiosity.

5. Body Suspension

Among the most extreme modern modifications is body suspension—hanging oneself from hooks pierced through the skin. While some medical professionals label it a sign of mental distress, many participants claim it offers a pathway to spiritual awakening.

The practice traces back over 5,000 years to Hindu festivals like Thaipusam and Chidi Mari, and it also appears in Native American traditions such as the Mandan and Sioux Sundance ceremonies.

Today, the subculture of meat‑hook suspension faces criticism over infection risks and tissue tearing, yet enthusiasts across the United States continue to chase the high of transcendent consciousness.

4. Costly Adornments

In ancient Egypt, body ornamentation signaled wealth, faith, and rank. While the elite flaunted lavish jewelry, tattoos, and cosmetics, piercings were a modest luxury, typically limited to ear lobes during the early New Kingdom.

Yet certain piercings were strictly regulated: only the Pharaoh could have his navel pierced. Any other individual attempting the same faced execution—often by impalement—a gruesome reminder of the power hierarchy.

These draconian punishments underscore how a simple piercing could become a matter of life and death, intertwining personal adornment with lethal political control.

3. “Mahu”

Hafada, also known as scrotum piercing, emerged in Arabia before spreading across North Africa and the Middle East. French Legionnaires stationed in Lebanon and Syria later re‑exported the practice to Europe, where men adorned their scrotums with multiple rings.

Even more startling is the “guiche”—a perineum piercing performed on boys aged 12‑14 by a “Mahu,” a revered transvestite figure in South Pacific cultures. These Mahu were believed to possess magical powers, and the ritual involved a knife slit followed by raw pig‑skin string, later fitted with bangles that would jangle during movement.

The tradition, viewed as a puberty rite, illustrates how body modification can intersect with gender, spirituality, and societal status in ways that shock the modern eye.

2. A Pirate’s Burial

Pirates are iconic for their gold hoop earrings, a symbol steeped in superstition and practicality. Sailors believed that precious metals could ward off seasickness, improve vision, and protect against drowning. In battle, cannons’ deafening roar forced pirates to use wax‑filled hoops as makeshift earplugs.

Perhaps the most intriguing reason for the earring: if a pirate died on foreign soil, the gold could cover burial costs. On a ship, however, bodies were tossed overboard to avoid bad luck, rendering the treasure‑laden loop useless in the afterlife.

1. Infibulation

Our final and most unsettling entry, infibulation, involved piercing the foreskin with a metal clasp, ring, or safety pin to seal the glans. Roman physician Aulus Cornelius Celsus first recorded the practice in the 1st century BC, noting its use to preserve the voices of choir boys.

During the Victorian era, the method resurfaced as a grotesque weapon in the so‑called “war on masturbation.” Physicians, convinced that self‑stimulation caused disease, mandated infibulation in mental institutions and orphanages, forcibly sealing boys’ genitals to curb perceived immorality.

These harrowing accounts remind us that what once seemed a medical cure could become a tool of oppression, leaving a painful legacy that still haunts history.

If you’ve ever wondered about the buzz around septum piercings, you’re in the right place. This guide covers the 10 thing you need to know about this stylish nose‑piercing trend, from how to keep it fresh to the best ways to hide it when you need to blend in.

1 Concealing Your Septum Piercing

Once the piercing has fully healed, you can make it virtually invisible. Small retainers or tiny circular barbells can be flipped inside the nostril, turning the sparkle into a secret. Bigger barbells work, but they may feel odd or be more noticeable, so choose wisely based on comfort and discretion.

2 Septum Stench and Aftercare

A frequent worry is the notorious “septum stench” – a faint odor that stems from dead skin cells and healing fluids gathering around the hole. Because the piercings sit so close to the nostrils, the smell can seem louder than with other piercings. A daily rinse with a sterile saline solution, like NeilMed, keeps the area fresh and banishes the odor.

See also: 10 ancient practices of body modification used for fashion

3 Piercing Misconceptions

Many assume the needle goes straight through cartilage, but the truth is far more pleasant. Professionals target the “sweet spot” – a thin flap of skin between the septum cartilage and the tip of the nose. Hitting this spot speeds healing dramatically compared to cartilage, which can linger for nine months or more.

Another myth is that septum piercings are excruciating. In reality, most folks report a mild pinch, especially when the piercer nails the sweet spot. The pain level is often lower than that of an earlobe piercing.

4 Jewelry Options

Beyond the classic bull ring, the market offers a dazzling array of septum jewelry. High‑grade materials like solid 14‑k gold and implant‑grade titanium protect against irritation and allergies. Circular barbells are popular because they can be flipped inside the nostril after healing, granting you a stealth mode. For those who love sparkle, designs featuring genuine diamonds or intricate beadwork add a touch of luxury.

5 Post‑Piercing Care

After the needle’s out, the real work begins. Clean the site twice daily with a sterile saline solution and a piece of non‑woven gauze. Gently wipe away any crust without twisting the jewelry – that’s the fastest route to a clean, happy piercing. Avoid swimming pools and hot tubs while the tissue is still sealing, as they introduce bacteria that love a fresh wound. Also, keep the area dry after showers; a gentle pat with a clean towel does the trick.

Both piercing veterans Thomson and Bond stress the importance of hands‑off behavior – no fiddling, no pulling, and certainly no heavy makeup around the area while it’s healing.

6 Pain and Healing

When done right, the pain is surprisingly low. The needle passes through the soft tissue of the sweet spot, not the firm cartilage, making the sensation comparable to a quick pinch. Healing usually wraps up in four to six months, though factors like stress, diet, and overall immunity can stretch that window.

Resist the urge to swap out the starter jewelry too early – doing so can irritate the fresh tunnel and push the healing clock back.

7 Preparing for Your Piercing

Do your homework before you sit in the chair. Choose a reputable studio with certified piercers, and make sure they walk you through the procedure, aftercare plan, and the jewelry you’ll wear once the hole is sealed. Avoid trauma – no poking, no heavy makeup rubbing, and no accidental bumps during the first weeks.

As Gemma Thomson of Sacred Gold puts it, “Septum piercings can look great on everyone. They’re versatile, allowing for various jewelry options. They can even be discreetly hidden if necessary.”

8 What Are the Risks of Septum Piercing?

All body modifications carry some risk. With septums, you might face infection, allergic reactions, or an accidental miss that lands the needle in cartilage instead of the sweet spot. Selecting a seasoned professional dramatically lowers those odds.

9 Why Do People Pierce Their Septum?

Motivation ranges from cultural heritage to pure aesthetic rebellion. Some see it as a badge of individuality, others as a nod to ancient traditions. Whatever the reason, the septum piercing has become a modern statement piece that blends edginess with elegance.

See also: Most Weird Piercings You Won’t Believe Exist

10 What Is a Septum Piercing?

Unlike the classic nostril ring that decorates the side of the nose, a septum piercing goes through a thin membrane between the two nostrils, often called the “sweet spot.” This spot is softer than cartilage, making it ideal for quick healing. Jewelry choices span from tiny hoops to bold horseshoe‑shaped rings, each offering a different vibe.

11 In Conclusion

Septum piercings blend daring style with subtle sophistication, making them a top pick for anyone looking to stand out. Before you take the plunge, arm yourself with knowledge, choose a skilled piercer, and follow the aftercare steps religiously. Remember, this isn’t just a trend – it’s a personal expression of confidence.

10 thing you Should Remember When Getting Pierced

Keep your aftercare routine consistent, avoid touching the jewelry with dirty hands, and give the tissue time to seal before swapping out pieces. These simple habits will keep your septum looking sharp and healthy for years to come.