Pirates wore earrings for several practical reasons related to their dangerous lifestyle at sea. Here are some of the main theories behind the iconic pirate accessory:
Earrings Marked Experience
It was common for sailors to wear earrings to indicate their seafaring experience. The more rings they had, the more time they had logged at sea. Pirate captains looked for sailors with multiple piercings because it was a sign of valuable experience.
Earrings Held Luck Charms
Superstitious pirates would wear magical charms on their earrings to protect them from bad luck and bring good fortune on voyages. Popular lucky charms included precious gems, stones, and symbols associated with mystical powers.
Earrings Showed Seniority
On pirate ships, the number of earrings a pirate wore showed their seniority and rank in the crew. More piercings meant the pirate had been with the ship longer and commanded more authority.
Earrings Paid For Burials
It was common for pirates to wear gold earrings so the gold could pay for a proper burial if they died at sea. With a high mortality rate, they wanted to avoid being tossed overboard without a ceremony.
Earrings Stored Wealth
Pirates wore gold and silver earrings because it was a place to store their pillaged treasure. Carrying wealth as wearable items kept it safe from thieves or loss.
Earrings Prevented Sea Sickness
According to folklore, piercing the ears helped relieve pressure and nausea associated with sea sickness. The acupressure effect of earrings is said to have made them useful for dealing with motion sickness.
Earrings Enhanced Eyesight
Sailors believed piercing their ears improved their eyesight, which was extremely important when navigating and looking out for enemies at sea. They thought wearing earrings stimulated the vital organs associated with vision.
Earrings Provided Pain Relief
Pierced ears were thought to have healing effects in folk medicine. Pirates who suffered chronic pain believed wearing earrings in multiple piercings increased circulation and relieved aches in the body.
Earrings Intimidated Enemies
Earrings, especially large flashy ones, gave pirates a more menacing look. Intimidation was useful on voyages and raids, so fierce earrings helped pirates appear more bold and terrifying.
Conclusion
In summary, pirates had many practical reasons for wearing earrings beyond just fashion and style. The earrings helped them gain status on ships, brought good luck, and gave them a bold look. They also believed earrings had health benefits and magical protective powers. For pirates constantly facing danger on the high seas, earrings became a useful tool and signature of the swashbuckling pirate image.