Skip to main content

History of Earrings

Since around 3,000 B.C., earrings have been a status, cultural and religious symbol.


Earrings first made their debut in Northern Africa as early as 3,000 B.C.
Earrings first made their debut in
Northern Africa as early as 3,000 B.C.

History of Earrings


Earrings first made their debut in Northern Africa as early as 3,000 B.C. to identify the wearer’s cultural status. 

The main materials used to create Egyptian pieces of jewelry were copper and gold worn by both men and women.

Earrings have been found in graves in Iraq, Iran, Syria and Turkey, ancient Assyria. The ancient Persian city of Persepolis, founded by Darius the Great around 518 B.C. shows elaborate wall carvings of men wearing hoop earrings. 

Ancient Persian city of Persepolis, founded by Darius the Great around 518 B.C. shows elaborate wall carvings of men wearing hoop earrings
Ancient Persian city of Persepolis, shows elaborate
wall carvings of men wearing hoop earrings

Earrings were symbols of adornment, wealth and social standing, cultural identification, and even currency throughout history.

Earrings are mentioned in the Bible in the Song of Solomon verses 9-11 written in the 3rd or 4th century:

 “To me, my darling, you are like my mare among the chariots of Pharaoh.

“Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments, your neck with strings of beads.”

“We will make for you ornaments of gold with beads of silver.”

In the Middle Ages, earrings, necklaces and other jewelry was similar to clothing when it came to representing rank and wealth. 

By the 14th century, laws controlling the amount of jewelry worn based on how much land was owned and the wearer's social status restricted the wearing of jewelry. 

Historically both women and men wear earrings. Today earrings are worn for many of the same reasons in the past, for status, decoration or cultural identity. 
Wearing earrings is a cross-cultural beauty tradition, a timeless fashion statement that many people would feel naked without.



Did you know?
Today earrings are worn for many of the same reasons in the past, for status, decoration or cultural identity.
Earrings are a fashion statement around the world

Ötzi's the Iceman frozen mummy is the oldest example of ink Copper Age tattoos, numbering over 50, the tattoos cover Ã–tzi from head to toe.




Wise words from the ancestors

The tongue breaks bones though it has none.

Popular posts from this blog

Nature Holds Many Secrets | Hurricanes, Angry African Ancestors

Eastern coasts of Caribbean, United States, and South America, are in danger of being blasted by hurricanes wind and rain during hurricane season from June through November. But, why?  

The scientific reason why is because of Africa’s Sahara desert dust storms and the transition of thunderstorms off the west coast of Africa. The waters in the North Atlantic Ocean are typically at their warmest while the Sahara is at its hottest from July through October, so the chances of a hurricane are highest during these months.
Hurricanes are gigantic weather systems using convection, the movement of hot and cold air, to create dangerous storms. They are rotating heat engines powered by the warmth of tropical waters having three main parts, the eye, the eyewall, and rainbands. 

Hurricanes cannot form just anywhere in the world due to the need for hot and humid air. They normally form close to the equator and move west or northwest. Hurricane Alley is a stretch of warm water through the Atlantic Ocea…
Discover more

Charging Cell Phones in Rural Africa

Charging Cell Phones Rural Africa

Charging Cell Phones in Rural Africa

The simple task of charging a cell phone is no simple matter in rural African villages far from an electric grid.
With the advent of tiny rooftop solar panels electricity could be accessible to millions.
African governments are struggling to meet to electric needs of the poorest of the poor living in rural areas. 

Living off-grid may be a lifestyle choice to some and a fact of everyday living to the poorest of the poor. However, tiny rooftop solar panels and high-efficiency LED lights across the African continent could provide enough electricity to charge cell phones. 

Cell phones are vital for people in rural areas with no access to banks in order to send and receive money, access medical care and stay in contact with family and friends.
What does Off-Grid Mean? Off the grid (off-grid) means creating your own self-sufficient environment and being able to operate completely independently of all trad…
Discover more

Survival of the Fattest, obese Europeans starving Africa

Survival of the Fattest

Rich get richer Survival of the Fattest, obese Europeans starving Africa
Survival of the Fattest is a sculpture of a small starving African man, carrying Lady Justice, a huge obese European woman who is a symbol of the rich world. Explore and Understand Africa Through Her Food and Culture
5-12-2016

Survival of the Fattest Meaning
The copper statue Survival of the Fattest by Jens Galschiøt and Lars Calmar was created in 2002. The fat woman is holding a pair of scales as a symbol of justice however; she is closing her eyes so the justice. Galschiot symbolized the woman as being blind, refusing to see the obvious injustice.
For the rich people of the world the main issue in life is that of overeating while people in the third world are dying every day from hunger. 
The misery of imbalanced wealth distribution is creating floods of refugees. However the rich only want to preserve their privileges and take measures so harsh against the poor, they betray their morals …
Discover more