understanding the self

• Comfortable Cats view a few staple beauty products here and there as a means to feel even more comfortable in their skin.
• The Physical Self is understood as impacted by the body and is a complex, marvelous container that can be directly observed and examined.
• For William James, the body is a constituent part for cleansing the spirit that is considered to be of supreme importance.
• The role of the bodily organ is especially important in the early developmental stages of a person’s life.
• The Indian tradition looks at growth and enlightenment as a whole-body event, which is not possible until one has a pure and strong body.
• The body performs a distinct function and is the most visible way of showing and expressing one’s identity.
• Lip Plate, also termed as lip disc or lip plug, is a body modification in which increasingly large circular discs made of wood or clay are inserted into a pierced hole in either the lower or upper lip or both, thus, stretching the lips.
• Scarification is the practice of engraving or incising the skin, in which the shape and design of the scar tissue on various parts of the body are controlled through the use of sharp objects such as a stone, glass, knife, or coconut shell.
• Lip Plate was traditionally worn by Suya men of Brazil, Sara women of Chad, the Makonde of Mozambique, and the Botocudo of coastal Brazil, but the only tribes that still follow this tradition are the Mursi and Suri tribes of Ethiopia.
• Lip Plate symbolizes a link between the individual and society - between the ‘biological self’ and the ‘social self’.
• Foot Binding was practiced in Tang Dynasty China to restrict their normal growth and make their feet as small as possible to distinguish girls of the upper class from everyone else, and later as a way for the lower classes to improve their life chances or social prospects.
• Foot Binding was considered an attractive quality to have feet no longer than 3 - 4 inches, and they were known as jinlian - “Golden Lotus” or “Lotus” feet after the central life symbol of Buddhism.
• Lip Plate is best seen as an expression of female maturity, social adulthood, and reproductive potential and readiness.
• Neck Rings were worn by villagers as a defense against tiger attacks, to protect women from being taken by men of rival tribes, and the look is considered to be beautiful and elegant.
• Cicatrisation is a special form of scarification a gash is made in the skin with a sharp instrument, and irritation of the skin caused by applying caustic plant juices forms permanent blisters.
• The main visible distinguishing characteristic of the Mursi and made them a prime attraction for tourists.
• Neck Rings are a form of body modification in which rings are put on the neck in order to lengthen it without using any surgical cosmetic procedures.
• Symmetry is defined not with proportions, but rather with the similarity between the left and right sides of the face.
• The Seductive Foxes, 27% of the population, love to use beauty products to enhance their femininity and associate beauty with romantic and sexual prowess.
• Scarification distinguishes the person from anyone else, tells the rank in society, family, clan, and tribe.
• Facial tattoos in Uiaku village, Papua New Guinea, mark a girl's transition into adulthood and are a constant reminder of her roots.
• The Comfortable Cats, 19% of the population, are largely happy with their natural beauty.
• The Social Butterflies, 16% of the population, love the beauty conversation, enjoy sharing tips with their friends, being inspired by beautiful women, and the feeling of contentment and success that comes with looking beautiful.
• Facial tattoos are found in the Congo Basin and neighboring regions, and among the Akan people of West Africa.
• The Graceful Swans, 23% of the population, like the subtle enhancements that come from using good beauty products and associate beauty with confidence and contentment.
• The Powerful Peacocks, 15% of the population, are particularly drawn to experimentation and associate beauty with career success and power.
• The process of facial tattoos involves secluding and living with the tattooist for 4 weeks, being covered in public, and having spontaneous designs that follow the shape of the girl’s face.