Nose piercings have become incredibly trendy in recent years. From tiny delicate studs to dramatic septum rings, nostril jewelry has moved from subculture to mainstream fashion accessory.
But when getting your nose pierced, which side do you choose – left or right? There’s an urban myth that the right nostril is the “gay side” for a nose ring. Let’s unpack the history and meanings behind nose piercings to see if those rumours have any truth.
Key points:
- Nose piercings date back thousands of years and had cultural significance.
- The myth of the “gay side” likely came from confusion over old Hindu traditions.
- There are no set meanings for left vs right nostril piercings today.
- Choice of side is now mostly aesthetic personal expression.
- Changing attitudes have diminished old stereotypes about piercings.
History of Nose Piercings
Body piercings have been part of human culture for thousands of years, but piercing the nose can be traced back over 4,000 years.
Historians have found evidence of nose piercings among the ancient Mughals of India and it was practiced in the Middle East by the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians. Like many piercings, nostril jewelry historically had important cultural meanings.
In India, a nose stud on the left side was commonly worn by Hindu women to symbolize marriage.
Unmarried women wore the piercing on the right. However, men also wore nose rings on the left nostril in India, so the marital meaning was inconsistent across genders.
In the Middle Eastern and Arab cultures, nose piercings were sometimes seen as a sign of nobility or wealth. In many African tribal cultures, piercings and stretched nostrils had spiritual meaning and marked a woman’s transition to adulthood.
Nose piercings also became popular in the 1970s Western counter-culture and punk rock movements as a form of rebellion and self-expression.
The Myth of the “Gay Side”
So where did this idea come from that the right nostril piercing has some connection to sexual orientation?
It likely stems from confusion around the old Hindu traditions. However, contemporary Western society has no set rules or agreed-upon meanings regarding nose piercings. The choice of left or right is entirely personal.
Nose piercings today are increasingly about individual style preferences and aesthetics. That’s not to say there aren’t some common tendencies.
Many guys opt to get the right nostril pierced, following the same tradition as Indian men despite the lack of symbolic meaning. Septum piercings through the cartilage separating the nostrils have also become popular unisex statement pieces.
Deciding Which Side to Pierce
When deciding between left or right, consider your existing piercings and facial symmetry. You may want to balance with the opposite nostril if you have multiple ear piercings.
How does your hair naturally part? You may accentuate your features by choosing the same side. But there are no hard and fast rules, so go with what calls to you visually!
Changing Social Norms
Changing social norms have helped diminish old stereotypes about piercings. As LGBTQ equality and acceptance spreads, the need to label sexual identity through fashion choices decreases.
Nose piercings are increasingly seen as aesthetic, personal ornamentation rather than symbols of conformity or rebellion. Most people today get their noses pierced simply because they enjoy the way it looks.
While history shows how nose piercings carried societal meanings in the past, today it is purely your choice to adorn your face.
The myths around the “gay side” come from outdated stereotypes. Whether you prefer minimalist studs or flashy hoops, the side you select is personal self-expression. Piercings allow us to honor ancient traditions while reinventing their place in modern culture.
Final word
So don’t worry about the meaning; go for the most aesthetically pleasing nostril! But what do you think – do certain piercings still carry identity symbolism? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
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Hi, I’m Keara, an author/editor at Health Magazine Lab. I write about beauty, skincare, and fashion. I’m passionate about helping women feel beautiful and confident.