Several ancient classical texts are silent on the nose stud and therefore there are several theories regarding the use of nose stud in Hindu religion. Some observe that nose stud was not used during ancient times and it was introduced by invaders during the 11th century.
Another school of thought quotes ancient Ayurvedic text Sushruta Samhita (Chikitsa Sthana
Chapter 19) to suggest that nose piercing was prevalent from ancient period. It is believed that the piercing of the nose near a particular node on the nostril lessens the pain during monthly menstrual cycle. Some also believe that it protects women from nasal infection. (If the piercing is related to health, then why don’t men too do it?)Nose stud is widely worn in South India, especially in Tamil Nadu and in parts of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, by both married and unmarried youn
g women. It is known as ‘mookkutthi.’ In some instances, women wear nose stud on both the wings of their nose. Nose studs of Konkani brides from Goa are famous especially for its design, which are adorned with small fish or bird. Nose ring is not the preferred choice in South India.Nose ring and nose stud are a preferred choice in North India and in several communities it is a must during marriage ceremonies. A nose ring or pin or stud can be made of gold, pearl and
diamond. In some Hindu communities, the nose stud is not removed and it is a symbol of married women like sindoor and mangal sutra and is an essential part of Shodash Shringar or Solah sringar - the sixteen beautification processes of a bride.There is no consistency in the wearing of nose stud or ring. In some region, it is worn on the left wing of the nose and in some region it is on the right. For example, a bride from Maharashtra wears it on left. In Gujarat, it is worn on the right. The size and style of nose stud also varies from region to region. The big nose ring is only worn on the marriage day. Some communities opt for small nose rings. Nose stud or ring is used in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.
There is also a kind of septum (the dividing part between two cavities) piercing, which is equally popular as nose piercing, in Nepal and in northern parts of India including Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh. This nose ring is known as ‘Bulak.’ Such piercing is also practiced by in eastern India by some communities.
Nowadays, some Hindu women see nose stud as part of modern day trendy fashion jewelry. Some are also fighting against wearing of nose rings which act as an impediment in their daily activities.
49 comments:
wow nice info
I told my school I was hindu so I could keep my nose ring in. Didn't work out too well. Any ideas?
To the person above. That is strange because the nose ring has become so excepted right after earings because they are so common. Other facial piercings which just look offensive are not though. Being the nose ring is ancient in many civilizations they should just lay off you in school. I have a professional job and ahve never been bothered or turned down for a job during interviews over it.
um actually they cant force you to take it out if its religious. So tell them to suck it, because ive gotten away with it at jobs, ive told them it was religious and its against law from them to not hire me due to my religious beliefs. So i win hahaha.
I noticed that none of the posts above state that you are a practicing Hindu. If the reason for wearing the piercing is truly rooted in your religious belief, then yes, there is nothing that a school or employer can do about it. However, if you are simply using the Hindu belief system as a defense and you are not practicing the religion, you should be deeply ashamed of yourself.
The first son of some Hindu familys do have nose piercing.
I have a nose ring, and yes, it is widely common. In my place of work I am made to take it out even though at least 95% of my female customers have nose rings, and it's just a tiny stud, it is not very noticeable not only because it is small, but also because so many people have nose rings that it's not something people point out right away. My nose ring is like a body part to me and it disrespects me to be told that I can't wear it because it's against dress code. Ugh.
Thank you for this information. I was trying to figure out if it mattered what side I did it. I was thinking my left but most people I see have it on the right so I just was wondering. Thank you for taking the time to post this.
I might be wrong about this but I am Gujarati and myself, my grandmothers and many, many women in my family and Gujju family friends ALL wear their nose studs on the LEFT side, not the right. In fact, my daadi (grandmother) went off on me before I got mine pierced because I wore a fake magnet on my right nostril and she was like "no we are Gujarati, wear it on the other side." Its not a big deal but I just randomly came across this blog so I thought i'd share :).
I agree that if you are not a praticing Hindu and use this as the reason to wear a nose ring so you can wear it at work,school,etc is shameful. However, my nose ring is now part of me and if I need to use a religion to keep it on...then, shamefully, I will. It's an excuse, such as...getting a false ID to get into a club; making yourself look older to...do whatever you need to do that you need to look older for; living in a country as a citizen, when you are not; saying you are not a Christian to avoid persecution. A nose ring, in my humble opinion, is far less a crime than some of the other "excuses" people use. Looked up nose rings and religion..Hindu is what came up. However, not like many others (more than likely), I am doing my research on the Hindu religion, or whichever religion I decide to use. Not as an excuse; rather, as a learning experience. My intention is NOT to do harm, or make light of the religion I will choose. My intention is to wear my nose ring. Thank you
I am serving police officer(female) and I am allowed nose stud as long as it is small and not likely to get ripped out if I am attacked lol! No one ever question me even why I am wearing it...
I think even on religious grounds a person shouldn't be allowed to wear any form of piercing at work if that is part of their policy. Why should an asian hindu lady be allowed to have a nose stud in at work, when a white punk rocker is not allowed to wear any form of piercing including nose ones? Nose piercings are part of the punk rock culture as well as hindu culture so why should hindus be allowed to wear them when a punk rocker can't? Work places should treat everyone equally no matter their religious beliefs, skin colour or how they wish to portray themselves.
That's a good argument, but it's like asking a Sikh to take his turban off when they go to their workplace. I mean that's just unheard of. A Sikh has a turban on their head because it is a sign of coming into adulthood. An Indian woman who has nose jewelry has them because it is a part of their womanhood; it is a sign of their maturity, and/or their marriage. That could be their "wedding ring"- would you ask someone with a wedding ring around their finger to take it off during work?
I do feel like there should be a compromise- people who have nose jewelry for legitimate reasons shouldn't be forced to take them off, but should be willing to wear a more subtle piece of jewelry during work; a small stud or a small hoop that hugs the nostril I feel should be more than acceptable. That should go for everyone else too. Piercings in places other than the ears are so common these days, and people are still a little bit weary of other people who have them- yet people have been participating in this activity since ancient times.
I will be earning my degree in Music Education soon, and I am planning on getting my nose pierced with a big beautiful piece of golden jewelry on it. However, I know I'll have to keep my jewelry a little more subdued, or even hidden with a retainer in my place of work- but damnit, I better be allowed to keep it.
I want to get my both wings of my nose pierced
I just got my nose pierced today and as a white Hindu (yes we exist ;) ) I see it as a way of solidifying my commitment to Sanatana Dharma as a woman....And maybe I secretly wish I was one of the gopis of Vrindavan :D
nose stud is my favourite jewellery and i have 19 pieces of attractive gold and stone nose studs. I regularly change it with my dresses bt wear it every time.I am now married but I have pierced my left nose before marriage as I like it. but my mom and my elder sister dont have thier nose pierced. I think it gives a better look to your face. I love to wear it and i wear a small stone when I use jeans and bigger one when I wear saris or salwer suits.
Sporting a nose pin is not only an Indian culture but also an accepted fashion. I have one on the left side and I love it
punk rock people just look bad with them on....
"punk rock" people arent ppl who companies want tfor jobs, they want well groomed people!!!
i want to wear big nose screw;whom i have to contact.
I want all the women to know one thing: There are millions of men, including me, who are turned on by women with a cute tiny nose pin or nose ring displayed on their noses.
Yea, I was just going to say that Gujarati's wear the nose ring on the left not the right, my mom and grandma say that as well and they have their left nostril pierced :)
nose piercings on women encourages the sexual desires in men(may be limited number of men). More over, it has the significance of minimising the pain during child birth
I wear my nose ring on the left side and have never removed it since I was married. I think my husband would not be happy about me taking it out for school, work, etc. as it is a symbol of marriage. I did once accept a great job and, on my first day, they said I would have to remove my nose ring. I respectfully declined and did not take the job. It would the same as telling someone they are not allowed to wear their wedding ring.
it alright to be religious, but is it necessary to advertise it at work and school. is that a real sign of religion?
I am fascinated by woman who wear tiny nose pins or nose rings. I do not the exact reason why I am drawn to woman with nose ornaments. The very fact that the nose pins or nose rings draw the attention of some men by making woman sensual could be the reason why our thoughtful ancestors might have introduced nose ornaments as part of shodash shrungar. Thank you.
One person said "its ok to be religious but do you have to advertise it at work/school". Um, Christians wear cross necklaces, cross earrings, religious shirts etc to work and/or school and no one tells them they can not. I wear the bindi and a nose stud and I will not take them off. I once had a boss tell me I had to cover my bindi and that it was the equivalent of a tattoo! She would not listen to me that it was part of my religion and told me if I would not remove it, I had to cover it with a band-aid! I was the only non-Christian in this place, but every single one of my co-workers planned a day to wear band-aids over their cross necklaces and other symbols of their Christianity in my support. My bosses boss then informed her that she could not make me cover it. She never apologised for calling my bindi a tattoo. Here in the US, Muslim girls can wear their hijab at work and school, Christians can wear cross jewelry, well, I am wearing my bindi and my tiny nose stud.
As for Hindu being able to wear nose studs versus a punk rocker being able to wear one...last time I checked, Punk Rockery was NOT a religion, therefore it is not covered under the non-discrimination law.
I think it's a very unique way of Indian dressing style
my eiders says that breathing of women are not scared so by piecing of nose and wearing with gold nose pin scared their breathing .
I am currently doing a series of paintings of Indian women in saris. I realised I had put a piercing on the right nostril of one of my beautiful ladies. So glad to find on this site that for some Indians this is acceptable.
I think , we should first understand that all these ornaments (16 prescribed ones for a women) are not just ornaments to enhance beauty and/or religious symbols. They have a very important role to play for the health of the female. All of them are based on the principle of Acupressure(Bangles,Finger rings, Toe rings, Waist band, Anklets, Arm band, Necklace, Maang Tika, Braiding the hair) , Acupunture & Acupressure together(Nose rings, Ear rings), Colour therapy(Bindi,Sindoor), Aroma therapy (Flowers) e.t.c. They also have principles of Ayurveda, Yoga and Pranayama incorporated in them.
Some of those work on the reproductive glands, while others work to enhance the intelligence, Heart function, Thyroid function e.t.c.
Our ancestors did not ask us to put these on, to differentiate us from other religious people. These have been advocated for our own good health.
Barring few of those 16, many are applicable even for Men.
If we know this , it will be very easy to put our point across, when someone classify them as tatoo's or uncivilized representation of ourselves in this sophisticated society.
Today lot of researches have formulated enough data to prove that these ornaments have positive impact on our ECG's, EEG's, Cholesterol, Heart Attacks, intelligence e.t.c..e.t.c. And the irony is some of them are even patented by these researchers of the developed countries. When it has been there for thousands of years in our Vedic texts.
On the other hand, people of the very same developed countries, ridicule people like us, for sporting such ornaments, e.t.c.
The issue is also with us. We do not explain them with conviction, the proper rationale behind it.
Rather than complaining , what is needed is, for us to first understand the significance of each. And put forward with right rationale, when encountered by such people.
Ear rings/Studs is such an old practice of Indians , both Men and Women. Take for example Karna of Mahabaratha. He is supposed to have been born with them. Such is the significance accorded to ear rings in our culture. Today people in the US acknowledge that those points in the ear lobes have very good impact on Brain. And promote that as Super Brain Yoga..
Please look at this video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhrDlPpFJNY
There are many more links from where you can understand the significance of each of those ornaments.. Here is one. Though it is not exhaustive, it is good for a starter..
http://www.exoticindiaart.com/article/jewelry/
I request & suggest all Indian women to first understand the significance and portray the correct rationale behind sporting those ornaments. I don't think anyone would have objection to it, once they know the actual purpose of each of those.
Each and every Hindu practice has a scientific reason and a purpose. If you believe in it, you will find answers. The onus lies on us to find those answers, enhance our knowledge and spread it, rather than giving in and complaining.
My Daughter has one of these and I am soo against it however if they indeed do help helath in any manner, I may have to change my thoughts.
hey is it necessary to pierce nose if u r a hindu??i dont like it @ ol...its nt lyk i dnt respect my cultre bt i've seen it luks so dumb on me n my grandama n mom is forcin me 2 do so..pkez help...
I am a Christian and if someone told me I couldn't wear a cross or anything else, ther would be a serious problem. There is absolutely no reason someone shouldn't be able to express their religious beliefs for whatever reason. That's why there is a law against it and it's also called persecution!
Well I am an indian women, and I am christian. I too have my nose pierced. I am a general manager of a resort and I wear it everyday. My choice of nose wear is my business. Lets be real we live in a liberated society. Lets not try to justify why we wear a nose ring. Last time I checked no one not even a boss should worry about jewelry. There are many other things to worry about.
Some have mentioned the religious aspect - but it also has something to do with culture as well...
I am a white hindu and I recently got offered a job on the condition I wouldn't wear my nose stud at work. However, once I linked it to my adopted culture / religion, my prospective employer decided it was ok. (It is after all against the law to discriminate on the basis of religion). I think he was just worried it would encourage other members of staff to come in with their eyebrows pierced or similar. I like the comment about understanding the reasons behind customs so we can educate others. My personal feeling is that people should be able to express their personalities at work more than we are currently able, but we have to work within the parameters as they are now. I think it is becoming more acceptable to wear a nose stud, whatever the reason, but not other piercings. There's no clear cut answer - each circumstance is different. In my current position, I think I'm excited enough about the job that I don't care too much if I have to take my nose stud out, though I won't like it. But my faith goes deeper than that so I'm not going to take it too personally if someone doesn't understand. God willing, I'll be a gopi one day for real!
I am african american, and a christian woman, I too have my nose pierced, and it is my favorite item on my body. I got it because i wanted my nose pierced since i was young, because it is beautiful on every woman iv seen who has one and my best friend is indian and all the woman in her family including her has one. I love the culture and respect it fully. I love the meaning and the whole becomeing of a woman and marriage, i think its amazing! I think we should be able to wear a nose stud at the work place and or school regardless of religion even though i respect the religion, and that they have a right too wear the nose ring because of their culture but anyone should be able to wear it as long as its smaller then a dime.... its beautiful on us woman and the culture behind it is even more spectacular!!!! i have mine on the right side as respect for my friend. even though it didnt matter to her at all. they let me wear it at every job i had. some bosses wanted me to take it out but i didnt. After awhile i guess they got use to it and its apart of me, i have never really taken it out unless i was switching it or cleaning it. I LOVE IT!!!!!!! thats me:)
this highly useful information on nose studs. I hope to look at this blog site more over the period of time .
I am American and married to my Punjabi husband and I don't care what people say... I was hired with a nose ring therefore I will never take it out.this nose ring shows respect for my husbands beliefs
i also like women who wear nose stud and nose ring like sonakshi sinha i sexually attratcted to women when i see them wearing nose stud or ring
It is still called "nath" Nath was and still use to control animal. It is degrading the woman. In many part of India the nath was put on women's nose by her maternal uncle. He also use to give it to her husband. The husband use to pull her by the nath. This is not done that much. The stud is also show disrespect for the woman. Dont understand why free minded women still put them on.
GAJRAJ JAIPUR
i like this post when i also like to women when i see them wearing nose stud or ring and this highly useful information on nose studs
hi all i want to know tht at which side ( right or left ) a woman can wear nose pin ? i mean is there anr reason or story behind wearing it right side ? my wife want to have nose stud on her right side ? bt my mom want her in left side since she has seen in north india it is culture to wear a now pin on left
i have two diamond nose studs. i don't know whether i can wear those studs or not?bcoz somebody said "diamond will bring you bad luck" is it true?
No not at all. Diamond is a very precious stone and will bring in good luck. Among the south Indian Brahmin community it is the preferred nose ornament.
Nose piercing is trend for youngsters but it is a culture in hindu region, hindu women's whether married or not use to wear it as a regional symbol!!!
I have wanted my nose pierced for a long time, and about 3 weeks ago (3 days before my 18th birthday) I got it done. I do not follow any religion, I just think they look pretty. I don't have a job yet but I have been told that it won't stop me, my brother had his eyebrows, ears, lip and the top of his nose pierced (he took them out a few years back) but he had a job at the time, in a supermarket, and was never asked to take them out. I think everyone should be treated equally, if I am asked to take the nose piercing out for a job, I will not.
Why are there men commenting saying a nose pin is a turn on?, that's the last reason a women would ever get her nose pierced for. Quite frankly no one cares if you are turned on or off. And the last thing we need in this world is more turned on men.
I also read somewhere else that the nose piercing is considered as a right of passage for girls to become young women. I'm not sure of the validity of this but, I had gotten mine for exactly that reason. I felt that my nose piercing would signify my womanhood.(Although I still get asked what high school I go to!!) As for my piercing interfering with school or work, it has NEVER been a problem, BUT to make things clear I work as a graphic and web designer so things may vary in stricter practices (law, education, business..etc.). Guys thinking it's hot? To each their own? My fiance loves me for a little more than my nose piercing!
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