Nose jewelry is most commonly associated, since ancient times, with women from the Indian subcontinent. The ornaments are attached through a piercing (i) on the (left) side of the nostril, or (ii) through the nasal septum which separates the left and right nostrils. Nose piercing is the second most common variety of piercing after
earlobe piercing.
(i) In India, like any other jewelry, nostril piercings and nose jewelry (e.g. studs, loops) are regarded as a mark of beauty and social standing as well as a Hindu's honor to Parvati, the goddess of marriage. The piercings are often an integral part of the Indian wedding jewelry. As is the case with many areas of life, size matters...
(ii) Septum piercing is popular in the countryside of the Indian subcontinent. In India such piercing is often called nathori and common with many Adivasi tribes. Generally, many types and sizes of jewelry and rings are worn in the septum piercing, such as a variety of ordinary metal rings (sometimes with attached gems),
captive bead rings and circular or curved barbells. Septum piercings are often combined with nostril piercings, e.g. with many Adivasi tribes in Odisha.
High-res portrait photographs with exif data, geotags and technical details in Matt Hahnewald's
”...and will as tenderly be led by th' nose; as asses are...”
(acc. to William Shakespeare: Othello)
