Labret
| Labret | |
|---|---|
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| Nicknames | Mao |
| Location | Labrum (below bottom lip, above chin) |
| Healing | Ranging from 3 - 6 weeks |
A labret is one form of body piercing. Taken literally, it is any type of adornment that is attached to the facial lip (labrum). However, the term usually refers to a piercing that is below the bottom lip, above the chin. It is sometimes referred to as a "tongue pillar."
Among the ancient Aztecs and Mayans, labret piercing was reserved for male members of the higher castes.[citation needed]
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[edit] Pronunciation
The traditional pronunciation of labret in anthropology is /ˈleɪbrɨt/ lay-brət. It derives from the Latin labrum "lip" and the diminutive suffix -et. However, many in the body-piercing industry incorrectly give it the "French" pronunciation /ləˈbreɪ/ lə-bray, though it is not a French word.[1]
[edit] Anthropology
The labret was a traditional piercing among the American Northwest Coast Indians, where it was related to status:
- access to labrets. After 3,000 BP, a divergence in labret wear in north and south coasts. In the north from 1500 - 3500 BP, more labrets worn by males. After 1500 BP, labrets worn by females. In the south, between 2000 - 3500 BP, worn by males and females, but from 2000 BP on, labrets generally disappear and are replaced by cranial deformation by free males and females of whatever class (e.g. elite or commoner). So, for 4,000 years on the northwest coast, it was important to distinguish certain individuals in a very direct manner; either by cranial deformation or by labret wear. Gender and geographical region may also be identified by these methods. [2]
When a mask was being made to represent someone of high status, naturally enough, that mask had a labret.
[edit] Types of labret piercings
There are several different labret variations based on precisely where the piercing is positioned on the lower lip. These include a vertical labret (pierced with a curved barbell through the top of the lower lip rather than in front of the lip tissue), snake bites (dual piercings close together reminiscent of fangs), spiderbites (dual piercings very close together on the same side of the face), and a lowbret, which is placed as low as possible toward the chin.[3] The initial piercing is usually done at 1.2 , 1.6 or 2.0 mm diameter. After initial healing, the piercing can then be (gradually) further stretched. Some people chose to stretch to sizes over 10 mm, and the jewelry worn at these larger sizes is then usually a round or oval 'labret plug'.
[edit] External links
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ How do YOU Say L-a-b-r-e-t? (note: the etymology here is false.
- ^ [1]
- ^ http://tattoos.lovetoknow.com/Labret_Piercing Labret Piercing at LoveToKnow Tattoos
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