Body modification (or
body alteration) is the deliberate altering of the
human anatomy or
human physical appearance. It is often done for aesthetics, sexual enhancement, rites of passage, religious beliefs, to display group membership or affiliation, to create
body art, for
shock value, and as self-expression, among other reasons. In its broadest
definition it includes
plastic surgery, socially acceptable decoration (
e.g., common
ear piercing in many societies), and religious
rites of passage (e.g.,
circumcision in a number of cultures), as well as the
modern primitive movement.