Fae Earrings

“Rings on your fingers are too likely to get lost.” Long Term explained, wriggling his own. “Fae are socially very hands on in the jobs they do, so it’s easy to lose a ring in work, play or battle. Stud earrings on the other hand are generally safe, and people can’t grab at them and tear them out.”

Fae use earrings not only to denote their status to others hiding amongst humanity but to display a range of important information about themselves depending on the shape, colour and positioning.

Significance

Fae earrings are significant as one of the only pieces of culture that holds across all subspecies and cultures of the fae. Different cultures will have different rituals in regard to them, and some will have none at all, but they continue to be a pivotal part of any Fae's life to this day. They are highly obvious to any fae, as tend to be rather large and disctinvely smithed, and often have some sort of magic on them.

Hidden Meanings

Earrings can convey a number of meanings all at once depending on the positioning of the earring(s), the shape and colour of them and the number.

Number and positioning

A single earring at the base of an ear means you are single and content, whereas one at the top of the ear means you are single and looking. Two earrings at the top means you are in a new relationship, while two at the base means it is serious and long-lasting (though what is considered long lasting can vary). Polyamorous individuals often add extra studs for each partner they have. Some cultures also have a commitment cuff, sometimes known as marriage rings, that goes in the middle of the outer helix of your ears. Rather morbidly, this information has an important role if someone is killed, as survivors will take the commitment cuffs or earrings back to their home for their partner(s).

Colour

The type of Fae is broadly denoted by the colouration: red for fire elementals, blue for water or ice, green for earth and white for air. Non-elemental or mixed fae will wear black. While this is a broad classification that can cover many cultures or subspecies, it can be useful at a glance to understand their likely strengths and weaknesses if in a dangerous situation.
The exception includes Dryads, Fairies, Mers and once upon a time, Alvarians. This is because they had spread far enough and had large enough numbers of varied people that it was necessary to have their own ways to identify them. Dryads will wear wood of their trees, Fairies gold, Mers pearl and Alvarians iron.

Shape

Anything with obvious sharp points, including triangles and spikes, signify that the individual had extensive combat training. Bar or square shapes indicate someone who is primarily a civilian but has some combat or medical knowledge. Finally, soft and spherical shapes tell that someone is a complete civilian with no knowledge of fighting or medicine.

Item type

Clothing / Accessory

Rarity

These are highly common amongst fae, but in other species is all but impossible to get a hold of.