Body piercing is a common beauty technique and even a form of self expression, but do you ever wonder where it all came from?  Let's take a look at its origin from each period in time.

B.C.: THE ANCIENT PIERCING, B.C.

It was way back 5,000 years ago when the custom of piercing sharp objects through the body started. The earliest accounts include the lip and tongue piercings in ancient African cultures, the nose and ear piercings in Israel, and the nipple piercing in Rome. Back then, these body modifications signified things like prostitution, wealth of the husband and avoiding demons to get inside their head.

1650s: THE PEARL PIERCINGS

Pearls were one of the most valued gems in many cultures before the 20th century. The one proof that could signify the popularity of pearls during that era was Johannes Vermeer's famous painting "The Girl", created in 1655, which shows a girl sporting a popular pearl drop-earring.

1920s: THE CLIP-ONS

Piercings fell out of fashion around the 1920s. Flapper dresses and red lips were more of the fashion-forward must-haves that time. Some women still donned jewelry on their ears, though. But most were just clip-ons.

1970s - 1980s: THE PUNK PIERCING

Hippies returning from India brought the piercing tradition back to the US, hence began a cultural rebirth of piercings after a long hiatus. It was also the rise of the punk scene--nose, nipple, brow, lip and tongue piercings emerged as a sign of rebellion from the norms.

EARLY 2000s: THE SPRING BREAK PIERCING

Spring Break in the early 2000s was basically a chance to show off the sparkling bling on the navel. It was like a ticket to the concerts and parties. The craze started on the runway in the late 90s, but it was Britney Spears who really spurred a whole revolution of girls with navel rings (and crop halter tops).

2017: THE IT-GIRL PIERCING

Ranging from mini golden hoops lining the upper ear or itty bitty chains on the anti-tragus, "It Girl" piercings are found on celebs like Rihanna and Miley Cyrus to models like Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid. The more tiny piercings you have, located either on your ears, tongue, lip or septum, the trendier you are.