Ear gauging, which is also referred to as ear stretching, is the stretching of ear lobe piercings to larger diameters than that of the original piercing, known today as a 'stretch.' It is a form of body enhancement or beautification that many young western people of today's society adopt to look 'different' from the norm. However, this is not a modern form of body piercing, since it has been around for as long as archaeological records exist.
In many cases, ear gauging has been used historically to indicate the standing of members of a specific tribe, and in many respects this is still the situation today. Stretched piercings have been, and still are, a reflection on the individual's sexual capability and also their superiority over other males in the tribe. The larger the stretching, the more important the individual.
Personally I'm not a fan of stretches and would never have one myself. The images below are some extreme versions of lip and ear piercings. Whether or not they're your cup of tea, they are definitely fascinating to look at!
