What religious/spiritual significance...

[Meephead]

What religious/spiritual significance does the piercing of the cartilage on one’s ear have. It is a question that a friend asked me, and I have not been as successful as I would like in getting a definitive answer (or answers). So far, I have found that in Jewish society, it indicated slavery. Any other meanings?

[wevets]

But if your servant says to you, “I do not want to leave you,” because he loves you and your family and is well off with you, then take an awl and push it through his ear lobe into the door, and he will become your servant for life. Do the same for your maidservant.

-Deuteronomy 15:16-17, NIV translation (there is a similar passage in Exodus 21:5-6)

Is this the custom you’re talking about?

[zev_steinhardt]

*Originally posted by Meephead *
**What religious/spiritual significance does the piercing of the cartilage on one’s ear have. It is a question that a friend asked me, and I have not been as successful as I would like in getting a definitive answer (or answers). So far, I have found that in Jewish society, it indicated slavery. Any other meanings? **

It should be noted this ear piercing was done only to a person who voluntarily remained in slavery after his term was over.

Zev Steinhardt

[Meephead]

I am looking for customs other than what would be found in the OT. I am aware of the OT references, so maybe I should rephrase. Are there any other religions other than the Judeo-Christian faiths that even mention piercing the cartilage on one’s ear ?