Men and Earrings - It's Not an Oxymoron
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Well, wearing earrings, as many thought and still think, is not just confined to females. If sparkling studs adorned in various hues can turn a plain Jane into a glamour queen then simple yet stylish hoops or studs can, quite remarkably, enhance a man's physique. In ancient times, men's earrings were considered an art form. This is quite evident in the 19th century 22ct gold earrings designs engraved images of men with earrings, particularly of Persian descent, exhibited on palace walls. In other regions as well including India and Egypt religious leaders, kings and pharaohs respectively were seen flaunting men's earrings. Earrings for men were also popular in Assyria and Babylonia for the purpose of indicating their status in society.
At one time, metal men's earrings were considered to protect the person from evil spirits. Such ancient customs demonstrate why gold and silver hoops are among the most well-liked men's earring style. Ear-lobes were perhaps man's first shot at body piercing. In 1991, the oldest mummified body on earth was discovered in a Glacier in Austria. According to the tests the body was more than 5000 years old; it had pierced ears with holes that were enlarged to seven to eleven mm diameter.
In the west, the fascination of 22ct gold earrings for women can perhaps be dated to the 1920's in Western Europe. As for men's earrings in the west, ear piercing began to get popular towards the middle of 20th century. Earlier, ear piercing was done with the help of a safety pin for making holes in the ear. However, in recent times better practices are being used such as ear guns to set in earrings in one's ears. Moreover, during the flamboyant 1980's, men's earrings became even more popular with the famous musicians, entertainers, performers and athletes often flaunting them. Normally, two kinds of men's earrings are available- studs and hoops.