Pirates Wore Earrings Because They Believed It Improved Their Eyesight

The pirate tradition of wearing earrings had practical origins rooted in folk medicine and superstition. Pirates believed that piercing the earlobe, particularly with gold, would improve their eyesight - crucial for spotting ships on the horizon. They also thought earrings could prevent seasickness and that gold had healing properties. Additionally, earrings served as a form of payment for their funeral if their body washed ashore, as pirates rarely had families to claim them. Some pirates also believed that wearing earrings would improve their hearing, and certain pressure points in the ear were thought to have therapeutic benefits, similar to modern acupuncture theories.