History of Ear Rings The history of earrings in India originated as a tradition since ancient times. It is said that wearing earrings along with the animistic origins of the Shaiva and other Indo-Aryan religions, are of great antiquity. Evidences have been found in the practice of the Kanphata Yogis of India. The Kanphata Yogis are a sub-sect of the Shaiva ascetics. They were named as ‘Kanphata Yogis’ from their practice of ‘splitting their ears and placing a large earring made ofagate, horn or glass, about two and a quarter ounces in weight, in the ear as a symbol of their initiation’. Later on, earrings acquired recognition and were turned into a fashion accessory. They finally grew into a tradition. Earrings were also considered a symbol of slavery. Significance of Wearing Ear Rings According to legend, evil spirits were thought to possess the capability of entering the body through any of its openings and they usually took control of the entire body. In all likelihood, the first ever earrings were worn to block the passageway of these spirits. According to another myth, pierced earrings help to strengthen weak eyes. If the earrings are studded with emeralds, they are particularly effective. Gold earrings are efficacious in curing headaches. According to a historian’s attribute, the piercing denotes the ‘desire to punish the ears for overhearing what they should not hear’. In turn, the earrings were a solacement for pain and suffering. It was believed that the greater the consolation, the more decorative and expensive the earrings were. Types of Ear Rings Today, earrings come in numerous varieties. They can be casual, formal, smart or funky. With time, the design of earrings shifted to more intricate patterns. The major types of modern earrings are as follows: Apart from these major types, the other types on basis of earring the place of wearing. Earrings are one of the most popular forms of jewellery around, worn with pride by women and some men alike. |