Earrings - Ear decorations

Japanese: 耳飾 - みみかざり

An accessory worn by pinching the earlobe or by drilling a hole in the earlobe. Even in Japan today, they are commonly called earrings. They were used not only for decoration but also for magical purposes such as warding off evil and as a symbol of status, and in many societies were worn by both men and women. Like necklaces and bracelets, they have been worn since prehistoric times and come in a variety of materials and shapes. Gold earrings of various shapes have been excavated in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. Golden earrings with pendants have been excavated from the tomb of King Tutankhamun, and are said to have also represented the authority of kings and nobles.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

耳朶（じだ）(耳たぶ)を挟んだり，耳朶に孔をうがつなどして装着する装身具。今日では日本でも一般にイアリングと呼ぶことが多い。装飾用だけでなく，魔よけなどの呪術的目的，また身分の象徴としても用いられ，男女共に用いた社会も多い。首飾や腕輪などと同様に，先史時代以来行われ，素材，形状ともさまざまである。古代エジプト，メソポタミアでは黄金製の各種の形状のものが出土している。ツタンカーメン王墓からは垂飾付きの黄金製耳飾が出土しており，王や貴族の権威を表す意味もあったといわれる。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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