History and types of decoration
Every girl's jewelry box contains at least one pair of earrings.
Ear piercing is the most popular type of decoration; ears are often pierced for very young children. Both women and men wear earrings; they become a sign of belonging to a certain subculture. You can often meet people with two, three or more piercings, which allow them to experiment with jewelry. How did the history of earrings begin? And what are they? Let's try to find out.
At what age is it best to get your ears pierced?
This question is a real dilemma for parents. Should I pierce my ears from birth, when the baby is not yet aware of it and, accordingly, tolerates the procedure more easily, or wait until he reaches a more conscious age?
Pediatricians do not give a definite answer and advise parents to listen to their child and his psycho-emotional state. For example, if a child is restless and whiny, then why bother him again.
Most experts agree that the optimal age for ear piercing is from 3 to 11 years, some put numbers at 2-8 years. In their opinion, during this period the girl undergoes the procedure more consciously. In addition, the ear of a child under 3 years of age is still actively growing, as cartilage tissue is being formed. This means that if a puncture occurs in the first year of life, there remains a risk that by the age of 10 asymmetry may appear.
Up to 1 year
According to statistics, almost a third of young mothers pierce their child’s ears from the first days of life, demonstrating to others that they are having a girl.
Pros. A child under one year old does not yet realize what is happening to him, and, accordingly, is not afraid of the procedure. Less whims and tears. And it’s easier to treat a puncture, because the child will not be able to run away from his mother.
Minuses. At this age, you cannot explain to a child that you cannot touch the ears after a piercing, and this greatly increases the risk of injury.
Healing will be faster if you get your ears pierced in the spring or summer, when you don't need to wear hats/sweaters.
From 1 to 3 years
The child already reacts to shiny objects and can choose what he likes.
Pros . At this age, it is easy to agree on something with children: it is easy to stop tears by buying something tasty or a new toy.
Minuses. Please note that after the puncture site you will have to treat it 2-3 times a day - the procedure is not pleasant, and the baby will probably be capricious.
Children at this age are fidgety, so experts have more than once encountered the fact that a puncture was only possible in one ear.
From 5 to 8 years
The most optimal age. Children can choose earrings on their own and treat the puncture site.
Pros. Healing is very fast, the cartilage in the ear has already formed, so children are not at risk of asymmetry. Children at this age can more easily tolerate pain if the cause is explained and attention is diverted.
Minuses. The child is more willful at this age and can express his dissatisfaction.
The first two months after the piercing, the earrings should be in the ears constantly!
After 8 years
The child considers himself to be an adult. He is willful, independent, stubborn and may not listen to you. The girl decides for herself whether she needs earrings at all and what kind she wants.
Pros. At this age, a child develops his own taste and style. Minuses. There is a risk of a keloid scar at the puncture site. If your child is actively involved in sports, it is better to postpone this idea.
Through the pages of history
Archaeologists find these jewelry items everywhere, regardless of geography or time. The appearance of earrings also has a mythological version of its origin: when the Serpent decided to seduce Eve, he gave her earrings that captivated her gaze, and she tasted the forbidden fruit. It is known for certain that in ancient times both men and women wore earrings, and the jewelry itself had a symbolic meaning.
Origins
Among the Egyptians and Persians, an earring in the ear was a demonstration of high status in society. Thus, large gold hoop earrings were discovered in the tomb of Tutankhamun.
In Ancient Greece, special earrings were worn by young men and women who earned their living in an ancient profession. Rich Greek women wore earrings with precious stones and pearls to demonstrate their status. In Rome, a special copper earring in the ear was a special mark of a slave. Only members of the Senate and horsemen had the right to wear gold earrings; free citizens identified themselves with silver jewelry. Caesar's centurions even wore nipple rings - as a symbol of bravery, courage and perseverance.
Earrings have always been extremely popular in India. They were worn not only in the ears - everyone knows the famous nose rings, which are often worn by women. For the inhabitants of these countries, a piercing in the nose was and still is a symbol of a woman’s marriage.
Dark time
The Middle Ages became a rather unstable period in the history of earrings. They became very popular and then abruptly fell into oblivion. In the 13th century, the Catholic Church introduced a ban on ear piercings and, in general, on any actions related to changing the body - after all, it was created in the image and likeness of God. Therefore, most often in the dark era, earrings were worn by thieves, robbers, pirates and nomadic gypsies. Each of these groups had their own symbolic meaning.
Thieves demonstrated their contempt for ordinary society and thus marked their belonging to the criminal world. Gypsy women always wore earrings, but a boy was given an earring in his ear as a sign that he was the only son in the family. Pirates wore earrings as a sign of captured ships: the number of earrings corresponded to the number of victories.
Only with the Renaissance did earrings return to the boxes of respectable men and women. And although the church ban was not lifted, they simply forgot about it and began to decorate their ears with elegant jewelry.
The famous work of the Dutch artist Jan Vermeer “Girl with a Pearl Earring”
And we have?
In Rus', jewelry was also very popular. Like many others, the earrings of the Russians were not simple decoration - they reflected the position and even the history of the family. Poorer people wore copper and wooden earrings; merchants could afford silver earrings, and members of the princely family could afford gold jewelry with precious stones.
In the Peter the Great era, earrings were in modest demand - all because of large wigs, under which they were practically invisible. Only during the reign of Elizabeth did the wigs become shorter, and gold and silver pendants began to sparkle on the ears again.
The Cossacks had very interesting symbolism of wearing earrings. So, in the left ear the earring was worn by the only son of the mother, in the right - by the last man in the family or the only son of the parents. When the earrings were in both ears, their owner was the breadwinner of the family. Therefore, not all Cossacks wore earrings, and the ataman was obliged to protect such a person.
Today, earrings are a common accessory for both men and women around the world. They differ in shape, type of lock, size, material - you can’t list it all! The choice is so wide that absolutely anyone can choose earrings to suit their taste.
Protection from witchcraft
Earrings made of silver can become a magical amulet that protects against evil spirits and eliminates negative energy. It is advisable to choose such decoration if there is an event at which a large number of people are present. For example, it could be a birthday, wedding, funeral. Silver earrings will not allow the energy field to weaken.
What stones will help protect against witchcraft and negative energy? Sapphire, zircon, opal, quartz or fluorite are perfect for these purposes.
How to choose earrings
When choosing earrings, it is important to consider several points at once: the material from which they are made, the type of clasp, and design.
Clasp
English clasp. A widely used clasp, comfortable and very reliable. It is neat, so it does not spoil the appearance of the decoration. Its advantages are that earrings with such a lock are difficult to lose, they stay securely in the ear. The disadvantages include the inability to adjust the distance allocated for the earlobe. If the earlobe is thinner, the earring will sag forward unattractively; if it is larger, it will simply be painful to wear the earrings.
French clasp. It is a curved loop that is threaded through the ear and secured with a small loop. The advantage of such a clasp is that wearing the earring does not cause any discomfort; It is light, so it is often used for children's decorations. The downside is that it is very easy to damage it if pressed hard, so these earrings are not suitable for active recreation and sleep.
"Gypsy" lock (clasp clasp). Such locks can usually be seen on ethnic jewelry, especially oriental ones. It is a movable rod with a hook at the end, which is fixed with a hole in the opposite side of the earring. The advantages of such a fastener include the fact that this is the most ancient type of fastener, which means it has stood the test of time. The clip clasp does not cause any inconvenience when wearing and can withstand the weight of even very large earrings. The disadvantages of the “gypsy” castle are that it can easily become deformed if handled carelessly.
The clasp is a “pin”. It is a movable earring (rod), which, passing through the ear, is fixed in a special small hole. This is a simple, convenient lock that is quite reliable. Often such a clasp is found on hoop earrings. The main disadvantage is the length of the hook, which may be slightly less than the width of the earlobe.
Loop lock. Essentially, the hinge is a simplified version of the French lock; it is slightly longer and does not have a fixing loop. The advantages of such earrings: they are easy to take off and put on, the clasp does not weigh down the earring itself; it has a graceful appearance and is often placed on dangling earrings. Downside: Since the loop is not fixed, the earring can easily be lost.
Ring clasp. This lock can only be found on hoop earrings. There is a pin on one side and a hole for it on the other. The pin is threaded through the earlobe and inserted into the hole. Thanks to this design, the pin is almost invisible when worn; it securely fastens the earring. But there are also disadvantages - such earrings can damage the earlobe, so you should not stay in them overnight.
Carnations or studs. This is one of the “youngest” clasps - these earrings appeared only at the beginning of the 20th century. It is a straight pin that is threaded into the ear and secured on the back side using a special lock. The advantages of such earrings are versatility and accuracy. This is ideal for everyday decoration; They match any clothes and makeup. Thanks to this design, the clasp is adjustable to any thickness of the earlobe. The disadvantages include the inconvenience of the sharp end of the earrings during sleep, so it is better to remove them. Also, over time, the clamp may loosen and the earring will be lost.
We emphasize the advantages
Earrings, just like makeup and hairstyle, can visually change facial features. The only types of earrings that suit absolutely everyone are traditional studs (or, as they are now called, studs) and hoop earrings.
- Elongated earrings will visually make the face a little longer, so they are suitable for chubby women with not very long necks.
- Angular earrings with geometric shapes are suitable for ladies with very soft facial features - they will make them a little sharper. Conversely, a too sharp, angular face is “softened” by round and oval jewelry.
- An elongated face is corrected with small round earrings.
- Small features allow you to wear large earrings, since such jewelry draws attention to the face, making the image expressive.
An equally important point to consider when choosing earrings is where and when you are going to wear them. So, for every day it is better to choose neat small earrings with a discreet design. When going on vacation, you can safely afford long, bright earrings in an oriental style. For the holiday, it is better to choose a graceful and elegant pair.
You should also be careful about the material from which the earrings are made. The best option is gold jewelry or jewelry made of medical steel. Silver may not be suitable for everyone and can cause allergies, especially if the product is not of very high quality. If you have a lot of jewelry in your box and you regularly replenish it, try to choose good quality earrings - cheap jewelry not only fades quickly, but can also cause severe irritation.
Jewelry making has been around for thousands of years. From century to century, people wear rings, bracelets, necklaces and, of course, earrings. Earrings are a great opportunity to highlight your beauty, create a unique image, and even express your worldview. By choosing them with due care, you can find a piece of jewelry that will delight its owner and the eyes of others for many years!
Types of earrings. Fashion trends
Earrings are casual and traditional pieces of jewelry that look quite versatile with a variety of outfits. However, fashion trends have a certain influence on them, and today, among the wide range of earrings, several particularly significant models can be distinguished:
- Butterfly. Graceful, light butterflies, as well as floral patterns, are considered classic jewelry earrings. They look great with dresses, blouses, turtlenecks, skirts, and pantsuits. It harmoniously complements romantic and classic clothing styles.
- Letters. Most often this is the first letter of the owner's name.
- Fruit decorations. It could be a bunch of grapes or a couple of cherries. These earrings are decorated with multi-colored stones and are most often combined with the same pendant or ring.
- Chandeliers. Unusual and interesting patterns in a cascade of shining multi-colored outlines that look like a luxurious chandelier. These earrings will be a harmonious addition to, for example, an open evening dress.
- Earrings in the form of animals. Dolphins, cats, dragons, snakes and other representatives of the animal world are one of the most original and unusual decorations for women's ears.
- Scenery in the nature of architectural works. The Eiffel Tower or Big Ben always look original, stylish and modern.
