13 Staggering Examples of Body Modification from Around the Globe

When people talk about body modification, what might immediately spring to mind is a recent trend shown through pair of pierced ears, a nostril ring or a sparkly navel bar. But body modification in all its forms has been an important part of different cultures from around the world for centuries. For a modern Western culture, getting a tattoo or piercing can be a simple fashion choice - but for many people extreme body modification is a way of life.

These 13 examples of body modification showcase the most striking examples of tattoos, facial piercings, suspension and surface piercings from a variety of cultures all around the world, often with deep religious or traditional significance.