Fun facts about earrings

Wouldn't it be nice to know who and when.the first pair of earrings were ever worn? Read on...

(Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?The-History-of-Earrings&id=2578494)

*Wall illustrations in the ancient city of Perspolis, Persia show soldiers wearing earrings.

*The oldest earrings discovered were made in Iraq in 2500 BC.

*Sailors especially saw earrings as a symbol of their seafaring adventures. Earrings were also worn for acupuncture purposes in helping the eyesight and hearing, as well as payment for anyone who finds their shipwrecked bodies to give them a proper burial.

Here's more from http://www.surfindia.com/matrimonials/history-of-earrings.html

Superstitious Beliefs Regarding the Origin of Earrings:

• According to legend, evil spirits were thought to be able to enter the body through any of its openings and take control. The first earrings were probably worn to bar the way to these spirits.
• According to another folklore pierced earrings help to strengthen weak eyes. If set with emeralds, they are particularly effective. Gold earrings are often worn by those wishing to cure headaches, though some say to wear one gold earring and one silver for this purpose.
• Back in the days of sailing ships and pirates a man would wear an earring if he had survived a shipwreck, typically a gold hoop, and that is where we get the classic pirate image from.
• One historian attributes the piercing to the desire to punish the ears for overhearing what they should not hear. The earrings, in turn, were the consolation for the pain and suffering. It was believed that the more decorative and expensive the earrings, the greater the consolation. --> THIS ONE'S INTERESTING!!!