Thread: Navel piercings- yes or no and why?

Good moring all,
Let's have a discussion about having your belly button pierced and wearing a jewel while performing. What do you think and why or why not?

I often have students who ask me if all bellydancers do this. What is the significance if any?
From my research I see that there can be a couple schools of thought on it.

I would like to hear all your thoughts on this. ,r:;

Wearing a jewel pasted in the navel dates back to the Hayes code days in Hollywood, where actresses could not show their navels, so "harem girls" always had jewels pasted in their bellybuttons to cover them. Has nothing to do with bellydance at all.

Dancers who have their belly buttons pierced wear sparkly belly jewelry when in costume the same way that that dancers who have their ears pierced wear sparkly earings. Also not strictly a bellydance thing.

I don't think anywone would say that there's any reason that dancers who don't want to pierce their bellybuttons should do it. At the same time, if you've already got the piercing, why not take advantage of the opportunity to wear more sparkles?

I know several dancers who have their navels pierced. I do not -- mostly just b/c piercings are not my thing and I fainted when I got my ears done decades ago. I also know many women who are not dancers who have their navels pierced. I think it's more of a fashion thing than a belly dance thing.

If the purpose of the piercing is that the person likes having a pierced navel in "real life" so she can show off her jewelry at the beach, when wearing crop tops to go jogging, etc., then it's fine to wear the jewelry for belly dancing too.

If the purpose of the jewelry is to perpetuate that tired old "belly dancers wear a jewel in the navel" stereotype, then please don't.

I had mine pierced for about 6 months and it didn't work with my body. I"m short-waisted, and even wearing lowrise jeans, my clothes constantly rubbed the piercing. Also, my navel is right where my tummy creases when I sit or bend. I also think the piercer put it in too deeply. Anything that goes through fat is going to heal really slowly because fat cells are low-maintenance so there is not very much circulation in the areas.

This is just my personal opinion, but I don't like belly piercings.

I think that it looks ok with a bellydance costume, on someone who has a nice firm belly, but with everyday clothes they look at best 'stripper-ish', and at worst rough and chavvy. I suspect this also has something to do with the rest of the outfit if your bellybutton is on display (I mean, when did you last see someone walking down the street in a crop-top and think, hmmm, she looks real classy?)
I have a lot of friends who had this done, then later had kids, took the pin out, and now they have scars that don't look nice.
I also think it looks ok on young, slim girls, but on middle-aged or overweight ladies it looks not so nice. But then most things look good on young slim girls.

I suspect a lot of bellydancers have them because they know their belly will be on display, and also we are like magpies for anything sparkly, and will find any way to add a bit more!

Please don't think I am having a personal dig at anyone here because I know a lot of you have piercings that you are happy with, it is simply my preference -which you did ask for!

I looove my piercing, which I got about 8 years ago. I didn't get mine for any reasons related to belly dance. I always thought they were sexy and cute. Nobody sees it apart from when I am dancing or at the beach (besides hubby of course). I think I am just a sucker for sparkley jewelry and this was one more way I could wear it.....lol.

Originally Posted by firefly5

(I mean, when did you last see someone walking down the street in a crop-top and think, hmmm, she looks real classy?)

Yesterday. But then I was hanging out with a bunch of women from India who were wearing Saris and cholis. . .

{{{HUGS}}}

I finally sucked up my fear of pain and had mine done for my job (I make bellyrings now) because I didnt feel right marketing a product I didn't fully understand. I absolutely love it. I keep a case of different styles and colors and change them for my different costumes.

As far as "looking classy"... Classy is an attribute of a person. If ya don't got it, no manner of fancy jewelry or clothes is gonna give it to you.
$.02

I don't have mine pierced because I started dancing long before they were in style. Have you ever seen an infected piercing? I have. Nasty stuff. There is no way that I would ever get my navel pierced for fear of infection. I wouldn't be able to show my navel until it was healed, which, in the case of my friend, took months. Since I dance regularly, the risk just isn't worth it.

I think they look cool. I was going to get one myself, but after seeing what my instructor went through - 6 months and it just *never* healed and she took it out - I decided not. I'm getting a lower back tat instead - at least that will heal!

But I admire anyone who has one.

Well I got mine done as a surprise for my hubby when he was stationed in Afganistan. It did take a long time to heal, but I felt like I was "reclaiming" a part of my body I hadn't been so happy with since my daughter was born. I'm probably the odd one out, it's one of the few places I don't often wear sparkly jewelry. I had it done for me and hubby so I usually wear small jewelry in the piercing and don't show it off with fancy sparklies other than the rare occation. Many people will take classes with me for months before they notice it through the power net I typically wear.

Originally Posted by antimony

Wearing a jewel pasted in the navel dates back to the Hayes code days in Hollywood, where actresses could not show their navels, so "harem girls" always had jewels pasted in their bellybuttons to cover them. Has nothing to do with bellydance at all.

Dancers who have their belly buttons pierced wear sparkly belly jewelry when in costume the same way that that dancers who have their ears pierced wear sparkly earings. Also not strictly a bellydance thing.

I don't think anywone would say that there's any reason that dancers who don't want to pierce their bellybuttons should do it. At the same time, if you've already got the piercing, why not take advantage of the opportunity to wear more sparkles?

I was aware of the Hayes code. It was about morality and censorship on screen but where did the concept of sticking a jewel in the navel come from in the first place?
I wish I still had the source to quote this from. I had read somewhere that in some societies where the young women were being prepared for birthing (by executing the undulations and movements of the pelvis through the dance) the test of preparedness was the ability to pop the small stone (not necesarily a jewel ) that was held in the navel as a test of abdominal conditioning. I think the test was measured on a distance thing if I recall correctly (like a pit spitting contest? ..l;, )

I guess the reason I posed the question in the first place was I have heard that some belly dancers say it is wrong to wear navel jewellery when performing. It is not authentic. Well ....these days what is authentic in this art form we love? We are incredibly fused with many different styles and genres. Many things are contrived from our imaginations. So..who is to say if a bejewelled belly button is not authentic?

I have had mine done for years now. Yes ,it hurt like a bugger to get it done and took almost a whole year to heal completely. I like it and it is fun.
So I guess the bottom line on the subject is do what is best for you!
Thanks for all your input. I just love conversing with intelligent people.

Before I had it done I asked the owner of the Morroccan restaurant I dance at if it was "acceptable". Example- my boss couldnt figure out why we sold tons of crosses and no Stars of David. Body piercing is much less acceptable in Jewish tradition whereas... well... Madonna.

He told me it was becoming much more acceptable now in arabic culture and lots of women are doing it.

Originally Posted by susuabdo

I was aware of the Hayes code. It was about morality and censorship on screen but where did the concept of sticking a jewel in the navel come from in the first place?

I wish I still had the source to quote this from. I had read somewhere that in some societies where the young women were being prepared for birthing (by executing the undulations and movements of the pelvis through the dance) the test of preparedness was the ability to pop the small stone (not necesarily a jewel ) that was held in the navel as a test of abdominal conditioning. I think the test was measured on a distance thing if I recall correctly (like a pit spitting contest? ..l;, )

I guess the reason I posed the question in the first place was I have heard that some belly dancers say it is wrong to wear navel jewellery when performing. It is not authentic. Well ....these days what is authentic in this art form we love? We are incredibly fused with many different styles and genres. Many things are contrived from our imaginations. So..who is to say if a bejewelled belly button is not authentic?

I've never heard the theory of holding a stone in the navel as part of a birthing ritual. Sounds like fakelore from a dancer's web site.

The Hayes code required that the navel be covered. At the time, Hollywood was doing a number of Biblical tales and stories based on Arabian nights, and they saw such plots as a fine excuse to expose a lot of female flesh. Sticking a jewel on the navel was a way to adhere to the literal letter of the Hayes code (no navel exposed) while still exposing flesh.

I see nothing wrong with wearing piercing jewelry if someone has a piercing, because that is enjoying a way to wear jewelry that's fashionable right now, and the person with the pierced navel is probably going to wear their jewelry for other occasions as well, such as the beach. But I do object to gluing a big fake jewel in there with spirit gum or similar product, because that's reinforcing unflattering stereotypes about our dance in the eyes of a public that already is very confused about it.

Originally Posted by xylinia

Body piercing is much less acceptable in Jewish tradition whereas... well... Madonna.

Say what? This is news to my Jewish ears.

Gia

Not unacceptable as traditions change... just much less. In my experience
jews are not largely accepting of body piercings and I think it has to do with confusion over the allowance of tattoos vs piercings. My point simply was that a Star of David jut isnt a popular item for the belly button.

You mean wearing a Mogan David as casual jewelry where as Madonna wore Rosaries and other people wear crosses more as a fashion item as opposed to a symbol of their faith.

{{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

Yesterday. But then I was hanging out with a bunch of women from India who were wearing Saris and cholis. . .

{{{HUGS}}}

Oh, that's a completely different matter! I just adore Indian clothes. Many of the Mums at my son's school wear gorgeous saris, rich colours, sequinned and glittery and beautiful, I am always envious that they can wear glamorous sparkly things every day without looking a bit eccentric and weird like I would.

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

You mean wearing a Mogan David as casual jewelry where as Madonna wore Rosaries and other people wear crosses more as a fashion item as opposed to a symbol of their faith.

{{{HUGS}}}

What Tahira said.
(And thank you...I think I had a mini stroke when I read her post).
Jewish people are no MORE or LESS accepting of body modifications than any other people. No Jew would be offended to see a "Star of David" dangling from a belly than they would to see a cross.
And...just for the record, in case it comes up in this conversation...the myth of not being able to be buried in a Jewish cemetary because someone has tattoos or piercings is a myth. Not true. It's something that someone made up to help Jewish mothers taunt their children.
Oy. Now I'm in for it.
Gia

Originally Posted by xylinia

I finally sucked up my fear of pain and had mine done for my job (I make bellyrings now) because I didnt feel right marketing a product I didn't fully understand. I absolutely love it. I keep a case of different styles and colors and change them for my different costumes.

As far as "looking classy"... Classy is an attribute of a person. If ya don't got it, no manner of fancy jewelry or clothes is gonna give it to you.
$.02

Just wanted to say an Amen to that.

and as a response to the "how will it look when you're old?"
I really don't care how bad my piercings and tats will look when I'm 60 - to be honest, not much else is going to look hot when I'm 60 either, so what difference will a little body art make?

Originally Posted by Gia al Qamar

Say what? This is news to my Jewish ears.

Gia

It's a misinterpretation (in my opinion) of a passgae in the Mishneh Torah about desecration of the body. I think if Rebekah wore a nose ring, we can allow ourselves a navel piercing and consider it decoration, not desecration ;)

Oh, there's another prohibition of piercings in Judaism. Again, it is not a direct prohibition on piercings.
It says "Do not make yourselves abominable". In other words, if the piercing is to identify you with a group that is non-Jewish, it is not allowed. I don't know how applicable this is today considering piercings don't identify us as being part of another culture, religion.

Originally Posted by Susanna

It's a misinterpretation (in my opinion) of a passgae in the Mishneh Torah about desecration of the body.

What I was referring to is actually a misinterpretation of Leviticus 19:28 from the Old Testiment that states "Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you..."People incorrectly interpreted the passage in the modern day to mean no piercings, no tattoos. But this was strictly intended as a warning to those who ritually worshiped the dead and evil spirits and such and marked & cut their body to show their devotion to this way of worship.

Gia

Originally Posted by firefly5

Oh, that's a completely different matter! I just adore Indian clothes. Many of the Mums at my son's school wear gorgeous saris, rich colours, sequinned and glittery and beautiful, I am always envious that they can wear glamorous sparkly things every day without looking a bit eccentric and weird like I would.

I wear saris all the time. Well, not to work anymore, but that may well change soon. I wore on to the Friday Evening Hafla at Raqs B. It was great! I had British men coming up to me and telling me how delightful it was to see me dressed that way. And then getting a kiss on the cheek! It was cute!

Now where the Hades is the Scotsman? And if someone says in Scotland, I'll hurt you! ..g.:

{{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by Gia al Qamar

What Tahira said.
(And thank you...I think I had a mini stroke when I read her post).
Jewish people are no MORE or LESS accepting of body modifications than any other people. No Jew would be offended to see a "Star of David" dangling from a belly than they would to see a cross.
And...just for the record, in case it comes up in this conversation...the myth of not being able to be buried in a Jewish cemetary because someone has tattoos or piercings is a myth. Not true. It's something that someone made up to help Jewish mothers taunt their children.
Oy. Now I'm in for it.
Gia

You're welcome. Being a Gentile - or at least non Jewish - woman with a Jewish last name, I have had to learn to figure some of this out. Purely out of self defense, of course!

{{{{HUGS}}}

i've had my belly button piercing since i was 18, before i "discovered" BD. i have had no problem with it for many years.

its your body. do what you like!

make sure you go to a reputable piercer
these links might help
http://www.safepiercing.org/
http://www.profound-piercing.co.uk/association.html

it really doesn't hurt that much. you can even ask for a topical anesthetic
the worst part was seat belts were very irritating for the first week
make sure you get good quality metal jewelry. surgical steel, gold or titanium
anything else can give you a bad reaction and prevent healing.

good luck. if you do it, will you post a pic?

I'm an Aussie size 26, I have stretchmarks, and I recently got my bellybutton pierced (August 11th) for my birthday (August 12th).

I got it done for myself, and I fully intend to show it off when I dance showing my big fat belly rolls.

Sorry...I guess I got up on the wrong side of the bed. I just don't like being told my bellypiercing is ugly and doesn't look good because I'm fat.

I think a pierced belly button looks odd without jewellery in it, so IMHO, if you have one, you should wear something pretty if you perform, think of it like an extra part of the body to be costumed *grin*.

Originally Posted by Nepenthe

Just wanted to say an Amen to that.

and as a response to the "how will it look when you're old?"
I really don't care how bad my piercings and tats will look when I'm 60 - to be honest, not much else is going to look hot when I'm 60 either, so what difference will a little body art make?

I know some pretty hot looking 60 year old woman. Belly dancers at that. You will only go all to hell if you let yourself...g.:

I love belly button piercings when somebody has a beautiful belly.

But if there is too much belly, the skin is wrinkly or there are a lot of stretch marks it doesn´t look very aesthetic.