Body Modifications – An Introduction (Part 1)

Ever since humans looked at themselves as a canvas for art, we have modified our bodies in more than superficial holes, paints, and inks. From reshaping bone structures to carving the flesh, body modifications have a wide range of categories that are topics of self-expression. I will discuss some of these topics and give examples of these peculiar arts forms. One of the most basic modifications people make involve a process called binding. By wrapping limbs, necks, or torsos, individuals can physically distort their anatomy. In some cultures, these changes are considered attractive and encouraged, for instance neck elongation of the Kayan people. As early as 2 years old, they wear collars made of brass rings to forcibly shape their necks.

Other forms of binding include the Chinese tradition of foot binding, which is the painful art of keeping children’s feet wrapped in youth to keep women’s feet small, which was desirable. In Western culture, both men and women have used corset training to shrink their waistline. By wearing tighter and tighter laced corsets, the body’s organs are shifted out and away from the constricted portions, leaving just thw spine and some connective tissues. The overall effect is thought to increase attractiveness in women by exaggerating their hip-waist ratio, and making men seem more masculine by having their shoulder look larger in proportion to their waists.

Implants are another common, though mostly recent, form of body modification. Most people are aware of breast implants, the silicone pad surgically installed in breasts to give additional cup sizes, but there are also implants under the skin used for decoration. These transdermal implants can be anything from 3-dimensional shapes, spikes, or studs.

Another recent trend has been tongue splitting. With the goal to have a split-tongue like that of a serpent, these modifiers usually have a tongue piercing that is modified to split or bifurcate the tongue. One of the unusual properties of a split tongue is that both sides can move independently from each other, making it a very alluring and interactive modification.

Stay tuned for part 2 of the introduction, which will include scarification, branding and injections!