Body modification

Body modification (or body alteration) is the permanent or semi-permanent deliberate altering of the human body for non-medical reasons, such as spiritual, various social (markings) or aesthetic. It can range from the socially acceptable decoration (e.g., pierced ears in many societies), over religiously mandated (e.g., circumcision in a number of cultures) to corporal punishment and provocative statement by the rebellious (e.g., nostril piercings in punk subculture), some even get physically addicted to the kick of a painful procedure.

Sources and References

• BMEzine - On Line Encyclopedia of Body Modification. Warning : Adults only. Very Graphic
• Remake, Remodel: Spike Magazine article about body modification
• Chinese Symbol Tattoos/Kanji Tattoo Design
• NGC program series 'Taboo' - episode on Tattoo (and some other body modification)