Significance of Women's Nose Piercing & Nose Ring
Posted: Tuesday, October 31, 2006
by TRS Iyengar
TRS Iyengar
Significance of Nose Piercing & Nose Jewel known as Nath (Mukkuthi).
It is widely believed and thought that the nose is exclusively for sensual smell and breathing only. But in a well established practices, this theory manipulates, that it connects with emotional, sexual and romantic propositions too! That's what the decorative ornaments and jewels to the Nose apparently causes - not only beautifying, but also significantly adds value to the marital life as well!
Certainly, the ancient Sages and Saints had a far better mode of understanding the human body's nature, functions, plus and minus points of daily behavioral patterns etc. And that too, without having a computer and scanners! Their advanced knowledge in every particle of this universe was the one that they had the enormous power to control everything... absolutely everything from their breath to body to mind and what not? Modern days telepathy system was conceived & practiced during the Vedic era. And to know about the human body mechanical system did they lag behind? Astonishingly, the practices of yester years bring more merits to their customs than just wondering. And according to the famous Ramayana, the Demon Ravan's sister Soorpanaka's nose was chopped off by Lord Ram's brother Laxman! This was to teach her a lesson for her misbehaviour ! By disfiguring her nose, she was made not to think of any other men in her life!
The custom to wear this ornamental jewel is typically different from one state to other, one caste to other and even different amongst communities. Some use it in their left nose, some at right and few wear it in both sides of their nose. Though it is mainly used for beautifying women, the in-depth meaning can't be termed as unfound myth. It is considered as a breath regularizing and some say it is just to eliminate the poison coming out while exhaling carbon. Because the practice varies from one part to another, one cannot be sure what the actual benefit derived is, by using this item. But traditions apart, every community and caste, without any barrier, uses this nose-stead. No one can deny, that this ornament adds extra beauty to the wearer!
Also, there is a known close connection between the nose and the sexual reflexes. Believe me, the age old practice in India to predict a person's character, used to first observe the Nose of a person; it is also widely acclaimed in the "Samudrika Lakshanam", an art that studies the behavioral pattern of every individual, that points to the size, length, positioning etc. of a persons nose and predicts the character to the near accurate result. Even in the Medical terms, it is established beyond doubt, that swelling of the nasal spongy tissues and congestion of the nose occur during sexual excitement in human beings. The nasal passages of women swell, and occasionally bleed, during menstruation. Mr. Wilhelm Fliess (1858-1928 AD), an associate & close friend of Dr. Sigmund Freud, found a strange relationship between the nose and the female sexual apparatus, and held that certain gynecological complaints could be cured by cauterizing the appropriate parts of the nose.
In males, it is believed to be an affinity between the nose and the virile member, and from ancient times it was thought that a large nose was a sign of a large male sexual organ. Similarly, a woman with a little nose is believed to have a small sexual apparatus or the desire to have/indulge in sexual pleasure is minimal. In a parallel custom, in a number of north European countries, and in England under the law of Canute ( Canute the Great , Danish king of England, died Nov. 12, 1035 (1016–35 ) the punishment for adultery for both men and women was, amputation of the nose; not only to cause disfigurement and loss of physical attractiveness, but also to symbolize punishment for the offending genitals. In India, the deflowering of a virgin is symbolically referred to as the removal of the " Mookuthi" known as ' nath' in northern part of India or nose ornament. Normally, widows remove this nose-jewel, but now a days even this practice is stopped mostly.
Quite apart from the above findings, the Abharana Bhushana Vidhi states, that wearing a nose ring or a nose stead is a must for a women, if one needs to enjoying life in its pleasurable counts. True. the carbon emanated during the sexual union, the poisonous emission is minimized due to the wearing of a metallic (Gold, Silver) ornament in the nose. Also, the oculists believed, it is very difficult to bring into control or hypnotize or mesmerize the women who wear such sort of nostril rings/ Mookuthi/Nath etc. as this functions as a controlling the brainwave length thus avoiding a surrender to the opponent who try to hypnotize. Thus the Indian aesthetic befittingly adorns the female nose with an inspired ornament, which highlights its amorous connotations. Indeed amongst the many jewels with which the Indian woman adorns herself, the nose ornament ( nath) is the perhaps the most seductive.
Ornaments for the nose take on a variety of shapes ranging from tiny jeweled studs resting on the curve of the nostril, to large gold hoops that encircle the cheek with graceful pendant pearls dangling provocatively just above the upper lip. The Maharastrians used to wear a larger ring shaped nose ring, with heavy pearl decorated with, even that hangs up to the chin! Even today, the Adivasis are wearing a Nath weighing to the size of 5 to 10 grams The royal kingdom of every known state had a verities of collections on this particular jewel, ranging from single stead to a maximum of 17 stead stones that adorned their Nose - Nath! And from an ordinary plain white to a costliest Diamond were studded into this one piece ornament.
One can imagine the ornament making a very soft, whirling but soft, like breeze moving over pipal leaves, as the head moves. The length and position of nose ornaments often came in the way of comfortable eating, prompting the Abbe Dubois, a Christian missionary who lived in south India in the 19th century, to observe in amazement: "The right nostril and the division between the two nostrils are sometimes weighted with an ornament that hangs down as far as the under lip. When the wearers are at meals, they are obliged to hold up this pendant with one hand, while feeding themselves with the other. At first this strange ornament, which varies with different castes, has a hideous effect in the eyes of Europeans, but after a time, when one becomes accustomed to it, gradually seem less unbecoming, and at last one ends by thinking it quite an ornament to the face."
Right from Kanyakumari to Kashmir,as an integral part of traditional bridal jewelry, many aristocratic families have a special, Mookuthi - nath brought out during at weddings to be worn by the bride. This is now perhaps the only occasion on which today's urban woman wears the nath, (and in many weddings, I find it is a forgotten issue) evoking its powerful seductive charm. And to say least, the present day generation totally unaware of the values of yesteryears customs, never bother to wear one. In those Vedic Times and era, apart from parents, it was considered that only maternal Uncle or husband can offer the gift of Nose ornamental jewellery to a woman; taking a gift of nose ring or nath from any outsider, is considered to be an act of indiscipline. Such persons who receives gift of nose ring and nose steads ( nath or mookuthi) from the strangers were, the one who served the Lord as Devadasis! (The women sect of a particular community who devoted their entire life to the Lords and Temples of their choice ).
Human body in itself is a mystery! No one can say for sure that one has fully control and knowledge of one's own body. Yes, now you can simply do this following test and find whether you are aware of this fact.
Now take a deep breath. Exhale the same slowly. Check with your pointing finger taking it near to your nose, from which nostril the breathed air is coming out. From right or left nostril ? or from both side nostrils?
FOR MEN :
If the carbon is released through your right nostril then it is a good omen. When starting to do some thing new or when moving out of your home for some auspicious functions, check your breath is emitted from your right nostril. If it is from the left nostril or when the flow is from both nostrils then wait for few minutes to continue. The best timing for having sex with your partner is while the emission is from your right side nostril.
FOR WOMEN:
When the emission of carbon is from your left nostril, then it is the best time for you to start your activities. Also while planning for a child and having sex see that the carbon emission is through your left nostril. If emitted from both nostrils or from the right one, then it is considered inauspicious.
Incidentally, the Mukuthi plays a vital part in married life too! In human anatomy, one cannot fully aware of his/her own body mechanism entirely. However, the ancient method to get any auspicious things started, they used to verify the breathe emanation (carbon release) from the nostril. The above is just a test to verify the three known exhaling methods, known in Sanskrit as Pranan, Vyanan & Abanan. It relates to the discharge from right nostril as pranan, from lest nostril as Vyanan and when exhaled from both nostrils it is known as Abanan. However for women, it is considered from the opposite! For women, if the breath is exhaled from left nostril, then it is considered as auspicious. These three types of carbon release takes place with every living creature, alternately within a specific intervals. This timing varies simply from person to person, depending of their nature of body fitness, shape & mould.
I am asked by many visitors, why a jewellery ornament like the Nose Ring/Stead (well known as Mookuthi in the Southern Part of India, and as Nath in the northern states) is given much importance. You will find the reality - just by wearing it, one can experience the pleasure, that is immense and can be gauged only by the person who wears it! Sorry men, - Alas, it is not meant for You!
Now I hope, even the present day girls and women would use this particular jewel, not just only to decorate and beautify their face, but also to give way to the wonderful experience of Life, experience as it comes! This will certainly add beauty to their already beautiful face!!
Nose piercing is to take place before the age of 5-7 years old. In those olden days, they simply used to put a golden wire for the children below the age of seven and later. Later, when they grow, they used to wear different type of Nose stead ( Mukkuthi) of their choice and liking with many design, stone studded and or even plain gold made one. And there was/is no creamy layer for any class, caste or creed! And no reservations on this particular subject as it was / is a custom with every Hindu women to wear a Nath ( Mookuthi). However, depending on their wealth, they used decorate this ornament with costly jewels, precious stones and size. Almost all the Nath ( Mukuthi) were made of only in Gold. If you consider this article is worthy and has a value to state, please spread word about this. Least, I am not branded again as a "pseudo-scientist"!
For more information on Hinduism, Essence of Srivaishnavam, Please visit at author's website at: http://www.trsiyengar.com
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More commentsHI, this is neha, a classical dancer from an orthodox brahmin family from andhra . Its quite interesting to read each one of your experiences. I appreciate every one who got double nose pierced. Our guru suggested us to pierce double nostril and septum and atleast six piercing in my ears as these will be very comfortable while giving stage perforamnces. so i went to a experienced piercer, he gave idea of thanjavur style of piercing(all three holes will be in a straight line). he appled balm that made my nose bit numb, then he pierced from one end to other and inserted a long post. there wont be any threads to the jewelly from inside the nose and septum will hung to the post. I liked it very much though the piercing is very very painful and i almost fainted when it came to the jewellery insertion. Its very easy to clean the pierced holes as it is very easy to remove post by unscrewing on oneside of the nose. This happend before my marriage and now my husband is very sportive and loves me to wear all the three all the time. i love to wear silver toe rings( 3 in each feet),anklets, magalasutra. Do any one have this kind of piercing.Do u got ur ears pierced at the same time when ur getting ur septum thinge?Hello Neha Sapri,
Fantastic ! This will certainly help the other readers about the values. Your single encouraging message should reach everyone who wants to go for the valuable age-old and benefic custom of Indian lifestyles. Thanks for your supportive posting. Best wishes,
hats off to you, by keeping the traditions in live.
Hi Neha
How did you manage the pain , how old were you then ? My god must be v painful
Hello every one,
Nice to get some response to my post. The attire & ornaments of the modern people has changed a lot. Its nice to have a modern mentality but in the case of dressing we should not forget the traditional part which has been in our blood. Whatever our earlier people have done we are simply omitting the things in the name of fashion. I think a person having traditional dressings with modern mentality As Mr Roy had mentioned about his beloved partner can lead a prosperous life as others do. Wearing nose ornament on both sides especially in Odisha was very common even in some part of Odisha its still there. But am confused about why people of current years dont recognise the thing that has been our culture.
I deeply admire the mentality of the people either from tamil nadu or AP where they have kept the tradition with them and exelling a lot in their respective professional lives.
its very difficult to make understand a college going girl nowadays to wear nose ornaments on both sides or even one side. asking them they simly reply "Its outdated".
I need to know whether a culture about dressing expire?
Morning Sir, Am from Malaysia, Penang. I'm divorced for almost 16 years. Born in 1st November 1973 @ 12.45 p.m. Malaysian time. Rasi/Nak$%&*@$%&hiram Dhanusu/Pooradam. what should do on my Nak$%&*@$%&hiram Day. Any prayers, ghee light etc. Please advise me accordingly.
Dear All,
I am in a dilemma, though it's been a good read for me. I am 44, divorced and presently planning to marry again. I do not have any nose piercing. However, my musband-to-be and his family like his wife to pierce the left nose and wear nose ring as per their marwari tradition. Although I never thought of nose piercing but not averse to the idea. But, the problem is they want me to wear a nath type (nose hoop), which I am finding very difficult to agree. I think I am too old for nose piercing and that to wearing a nath.....doesn't it look odd at this age.
Please advise. Any of you middle-aged ladies wear nath. how is the response.
Poonam.Hi Poonam,
My story is like this. I got married in my early forties. I had to take care of my family and almost left the plan for marriage, when my husband came to my life. He persuaded me for more than a year and finally I agreed for marriage.I didn't have any nose piercing then. We went to Rajasthan for honeymoon and I find the nose ringd very interesting. Seeing this my hubby asked me if I plan to buy one and then I ended up piercing my left nose in a local goldsmith shop. He chose a small nose hoop and I came back home with my new nath. Since then I've been wearing nath for 7 years now and bought a few more. I also payals since my marriage. I love to follow the customs and feel the desi look is well accepted also in office. So don't worry, go ahed and get it done.Hello Poonam,
When it comes to jewellry and ornaments for women, age is no bar! Actually, after reaading this article, many a women over 45 have come forward to adopt the traditional way and gone for nose piercing. So, it is not too late for you to go for one. That too, when you are engaged for marriage, you would gain immense pleasure and look by getting one suitable nose ring for you. All the best and best wishes,
Poonam,
No worries. My mom changed from stud to nath a year ago @ 47 as I got my nose pierced and started wearing a silver nose ring. She's wearing a gold nose ring now.
Age is not an issue. Wearing nose ring is so common.
Dear Sir,
Thank you for this wonderful information!!!!
Am planning to wear a diamond nose stud!!..Is there any shastra for that..i want it on right nostril...please help me!! :)
regards,
M.DivyaDear Divya
I dont know about shastra but I find it very elegant - so dont hesitate - just go for itsince u r going for nose piercing please do it on both sides of nose
Hello Divya,
Sastra is nothing but convincing traditional way of life for human's betterment. The system has a lot more reliable and harmless practices that immensly benefit human kind.
Best wishes,
hi i am new to this site . Month back i pierced my nose on left side in jewellery street bangalore . Its my own interest even my mom dont want me to pierce my nose . Its my aunty & dad supports me very much . I am wearing golden ring now . I wil wear diamond one in future . I am 18 yr old college gal.Nice Revathi,
Really its nice to know. What do u feel if u will wear on both side of your nose as this is getting popular day by day? Well decorated Studs on both sides or one side ring and other one stud? Definitely it will look good.
swateeboth side piercing is good and more beauty. girls without nose stud look not much pretty.
I agree with you Swatee but its not that commonits true. generally a traditional woman looks beautiful in these kind of jewelleries. whtever we do which ever ornamnet we wear its completely depend on our own decission. Even in my case i was not wearing a single nose ornamnet since my child hood but after my marriage my husband insisted me to wear once and then i tried and afterwards i am wearing on my both sides of my nose.It really looks nice as my grandmother was also wearing in the same fashion.
yes another question to all
.Why a lady today dont want to be dressed up like her grand mother even like her mother? Please think once and u can get the answer.Good question but time has changed - now we need to run the whole day which my mom has never done forget grandma - i agree to your views but its difficult to carry the same gesture/looks which our mom or grandma had carried so wellIts True soma.
Do u wear any nose ornament? What type of jewellery u prefer to wear?Yes - I do wear nose ornamentSo what is your responseDo u wear on both side of ur nose?yes,I pierced my left side nose at age 11,Right side at age 14 and septum pierced after engagement.I pierced each ear 5 places before marriage..My life is very pleasent and progressive.Dear Padma,
Do u wear in all three piercings on your nose?Yes,I always wear three noserings.No any problems.Sometimes yes - may be on occasions / pujasIts reall nice . Even in my case i wear on both side of my nose alwaysI like all your comments it makes me to pierce my nose both sides at a time so yesterday i got it done from my husbands hand itself .he ask me for more than 2 months since iam 22 but on seeing interest of my husband icant avoid his wish, so i told him he only should pierce my nose ,he got more tempted and showers countless kiss on my nose and he done this job sucessfullyKanchana. I am also wearing mukkuthis on both side of my nostrils and I very much appretiate you for piercing both sides of your nose and wearing two mukkuthi at this young age. I wish all the best and a happy married life.Pl give or explain the stories about your nose piercing in tamil language.
what day/time is best day to piercing Nose/septum?Evening is the right time to pierce nose.Is it , i didnt know this . why evening
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