Just like the social acceptance of female tattoos, the popularity of belly rings has grown in recent years. A navel piercing in a woman is often considered sexy and sensual and, with many female celebrities flaunting both their bellies with a navel piercing, it is becoming more popular for lots of women to pierce their bellies too.
History of Belly Rings
In modern day culture, ear piercings were traditionally the most common form of, and most socially acceptable, piercing. Although there is some debate as to whether navel piercing was common amongst ancient tribes and civilizations such as the Egyptians, Incas and Aztecs, ancient piercings, like tattoos, were more likely to signify spiritual connections and social status than a fashion trend.
The Developing Trend for Belly Rings
As women gained sexual liberation and freedom in the latter part of the twentieth century, the public display of female body parts became more daring. In the 1980s, singer and actress Madonna was famous for flaunting her belly in public. However, it was super models, such as Christy Turlington who displayed a belly ring at a London fashion show, who really brought belly rings for women into social acceptance.
Why Women Get a Belly Ring
Women's navels have always been thought of as an erogenous zone; piercing the belly button with a piece of jewelery accentuates this belief. Reasons women cite for displaying a belly ring include:
- it makes a woman feel beautiful and sexy
- it makes a woman feel sensual
- it makes a woman feel good
- it's an appreciation of a woman's body
- it's daring
- to celebrate/mark a particular occasion
- it's distinctly feminine
- it's fun.
Female Celebrities Who Have a Belly Piercing
Today women of all ages opt get a belly ring; female celebrities who sport a belly ring include:
- Madonna
- Avril Lavigne
- Christy Turlington
- Naomi Campbell
- Jessica Alba
- Gwen Stefani
- Lindsay Lohan
- Keira Knightley
- Nicole Richie
- Paris Hilton
- Princess Zara (grand daughter of Queen Elizabeth II)
- Janet Jackson
- Geri Halliwell (Spice Girls)
- Beyonce
- Brittney Spears
- Teri Hatcher.
Medical Complications of Belly Piercing
Although navel piercing is now common, there may be medical complications in getting a belly ring if guidelines aren't followed. The Association of Professional Piercers lists safety rules for body piercers to maintain professional and hygienic standards. Requirements regarding age, experience and qualifications of body piercers vary from state to state and country to country. Navel piercings can often take up to nine months to heal due to complications such as grades of jewelry used, infection and the friction of clothes in the pierced area.
Navel Piercings of Women
Today, belly rings are a socially acceptable form of piercing for women; belly rings are often enjoyed between couples, as an alternative form of sexy gifts. Belly rings are commonly displayed in public by women from Victoria's Secret models to British royalty. Whatever the reason for getting one, navel piercings for women are no longer considered “taboo”.
References:
- The Association of Professional Piercers web site, accessed February 26, 2010
- American Family Physician web site, Complications of Body Piercing, Donna I. Meltzer, accessed February 26, 2010
- Painful Pleasures web site, Body Piercing History, accessed February 26, 2010
- Navel Rings website, Celebrities with Body Jewelry, accessed February 26, 2010
Sharon Falsetto - Sharon Falsetto is a business owner, certified clinical aromatherapist & professional writer with a life-long interest in plants.
