That little sparkle in your ear has a seriously long backstory. Ear piercing is one of the oldest forms of body modification in the world, and it has meant very different things through the ages: from status symbol to rite of passage to rebellion. Basically, you’re wearing a piece of history. Let’s take a trip through time!
Ancient origins: over 5,000 years of tradition
Evidence of ear piercing goes back more than 5,000 years. Ötzi the Iceman, the famous mummy found in the Alps, had pierced ears. Talk about a trendsetter! Traces of the practice show up in cultures all over the globe.
Egypt and the Bible
In ancient Egypt, gold earrings were worn by pharaohs and members of the royal family as symbols of status and wealth. Gold has clearly always been a vibe. The Bible also mentions ear piercing, as a sign of obedience or servitude.
Cultural meaning around the world
In tribal cultures such as the Maasai in Africa and the Dayak in Borneo, ear piercing had deep symbolic meaning. It often marked the step from childhood into adulthood, as part of important rites of passage.
From rebellion to mainstream
In the 1960s and ’70s, ear piercing had a real comeback. The hippie and LGBT+ movements embraced it as a form of rebellion and self-expression. Today it’s completely mainstream, with countless styles to explore, from classic lobes to bold cartilage combos.
Read more: Let your piercing be a symbol of self-expression.
Styles and modern trends
Over time, ear piercings evolved from cultural or religious symbols into a true fashion moment. Popular choices today:
- Lobe piercings: the classic, super versatile and the quickest to heal.
- Cartilage piercings: like helix, rook, conch and daith.
- Industrial piercings: one bold bar through two holes.
- The curated ear: several piercings combined into one personal design. Your ear, your mood board.
Want the full overview of every spot on your ear? Check out our ultimate guide to ear piercings.
A living tradition, done safely
Your ear piercing connects you to thousands of years of history, but today we do it a lot more safely (sorry, Ötzi). We’ve been piercing since 1998, were the first studio with a GGD licence and are re-inspected by the GGD every 3 years.
Earlobes can be pierced with a sterile, single-use piercing gun; cartilage is always pierced with a needle. For fresh piercings titanium is the best choice, and gold is possible too. In the studio we use internally threaded jewellery.
We have one golden rule: we always ask for your approval first. We mark the spot, you check it out, and only after your "yes!" do we pierce. Nothing happens without your consent.
How long does healing take? A lobe usually takes around 6 to 8 weeks, cartilage often 6 to 9 months or more. Healing is very personal and depends on many factors, so see these times as a guideline.
How to look after it
- Clean it twice a day with the AphraHeals wipe (our favourite: practical, sterile and safe; more at aphraheals.com). It fits in any bag, right next to your lip gloss.
- Prefer a spray? The AphraHeals aftercare spray works great too, for example at home.
- Wash your hands first, and no twisting or playing with your jewellery. Not even when it looks this good.
- Want to read it all again in peace? Download our aftercare instructions.
Is your piercing getting red, warm or swollen, more painful instead of calmer, or does it stay inflamed? Contact your piercer or a doctor. We’re always happy to take a look.
Please note: all healing times mentioned are an indication. Healing is very personal: for some people it goes faster, for others it takes a little longer.
What clients say
Don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what others wrote. Click a name to see the original review:
"The vibe is amazing too — cutest plushies everywhere and honestly… the most badass mouse I’ve ever met"
– Mishal Trivedi, Google review
"This is my favourite piercing shop!!! I’ve never been to another piercer, because I’ve had such good experiences here!" (translated from Dutch)
– Jackie, Google review
"Helped so well with an industrial and an eyebrow piercing, the piercer was a real artist and the info at the front desk was super useful, definitely worth 5 stars!" (translated from Dutch)
– iza de gruijter, Google review
Why get your ear piercing at Piercings Works?
- Experience: we’ve been piercing since 1998, and we’ve been at Reguliersbreestraat 46 in Amsterdam for 22 years. That’s a lot of happy clients walking out the door.
- Hygiene: we were the first studio with a GGD licence, and the GGD re-inspects us every 3 years.
- Know-how: we’ve trained more than 100 piercers.
- You decide: we always ask for your approval first. We never do anything without your consent.
- Safe jewellery: in the studio we use internally threaded jewellery, so no thread scrapes through your fresh hole.
- One step at a time: we do a maximum of 3 piercings per visit. Even if your bestie yells "one more!"
- Questions in your own language? Our team speaks several languages, usually 6.
- Age: check our minimum age page first.
Ready to add your own chapter to the story? Book your appointment here or just walk in. Bring your bestie for the selfie afterwards!
FAQ about the history of ear piercing
How old is ear piercing?
More than 5,000 years old. Ötzi the Iceman already had pierced ears.
What did ear piercing mean in the past?
It varied: a symbol of status and wealth in ancient Egypt, a sign of servitude in the Bible, and a rite of passage in cultures like the Maasai and Dayak.
When did ear piercing become mainstream?
It made a big comeback in the 1960s and ’70s and is now completely mainstream.
How long does a new ear piercing take to heal?
A lobe usually takes around 6 to 8 weeks, cartilage often 6 to 9 months or more. Healing is very personal and depends on many factors, so see these times as a guideline.
VIP with us is pure benefit, zero risk: join for €50, €100 or €200 a year and get the same amount back as a gift voucher, plus 10% off for as long as your membership runs and free piercing changes.
From Ira, with love
Ira Lutvica is co-owner of Piercings Works, which she runs together with her husband Mensur Lutvica: since 1998, and 22 years at the same spot on Reguliersbreestraat 46. Ira writes the books herself and runs the piercing course (in Dutch), where she has trained 100+ piercers. Want to know more about this topic? Read her e-book (in Dutch) Oorpiercings– Geschiedenis, Plaatsing, Betekenis en Nazorg. Also read Piercings Works in the media.