Fashion Cultural Appropriation

Nose piercings originated in South Asia such as: India, Pakistan, Nepal. They are also Traditional in the Aboriginal culture. There are 2 different types of nose piercings. The septum, and nostril.

In different parts of the world, the nose piercing has many different definitions behind it:

In India, the meaning of the nose piercing was to prevent serve pain from childbirth. It was also to celebrate your marriage.

In Native American tribes, the septum piercing showed that there was a significance of success to the wearer.

In North America, it was a sign of rebellion towards a childs' parents/guardians.

The South Asians still use the nose piercing for the same reasons. To help with childbirth, and for celebratory reasons. But I believe that in North American culture, we have evolved to think that having a nose piercing is more of a fashion choice than a rebellious choice. We live in the 21st century and I think that nose piercings have been around for a while for parents to accept as a choice rather than something to be against, weather it be nostril or septum.

Fashion has changed the meaning of the nose ring by the acceptance of society and how the nose ring became mainstream. I think that since the nose ring became mainstream it was easier for authority figures to accept it because "everybody was getting one". To relate how fashion changed the meaning of the item, the septum piercing was popular back then, but has came back in 2015 where the grundgy-ish 90's style came back. I think we made most popular reason; using nose rings for celebratory reasons in South Asian culture disappear a bit. We now think we'd get the nose ring because it would look good... And not necessarily for the cultural reasons behind it.

I think cultural appropriation has it's pro's and it's con's. I don't think you could ever say NO to it. My personal thought on cultural appropriation is that I don't really have a problem with it. I think that people decide what to wear for a reason, and if that reason is because it looks good and you want to appreciate the culture, that is ok. But I think there are also times where it's not ok. I think it depends on who you're offending. Cultural appropriation doesn't really bother me, I don't really care what people wear.

Where Did The Item Originate?

My Thoughts on Cultural Appropriation

What's the meaning of the item?

Works Cited

Cultural Garment: Nose Piercings

By: Cathy Nguyen

What Is the Meaning of a Ring in the Nose? (2015). Retrieved February 24, 2016, from http://www.livestrong.com/article/237061-what-is-the-meaning-of-a-ring-in-the-nose/

Bustle. (n.d.). Retrieved February 24, 2016, from http://www.bustle.com/articles/82249-a-brief-history-of-the-septum-ring-from-native-american-cultures-to-bulls-to-brooklyn-hipsters

Why Do Hindus Pierce Their Nose? (n.d.). Retrieved February 24, 2016, from http://www.patheos.com/blogs/whitehindu/2013/10/why-do-hindus-pierce-their-nose-google-questions-answered/

Significance Of Wearing Nose Rings. (2013). Retrieved February 24, 2016, from http://www.boldsky.com/yoga-spirituality/faith-mysticism/2013/why-indian-women-wear-nose-rings-036499.html

How has fashion changed the meaning of the item?

How does the culture currently use this item?