In sewing, a needle is a long, slender, object with a pointed tip, usually made of metal. The first needles were often made of bone or wood. A needle for hand sewing has a hole at the non-pointed end to carry thread or cord through the fabric after the pointed end pierces it. Hand sewing needles have different names depending on their purpose, such as sharps, betweens, ballpoint, embroidery, leather, beading, chenille, upholstery, and tapestry. A sewing machine uses an eye-pointed metal needle (with a hole near the pointed tip).
Tattooing uses both primitive and modern needles. See tattoo, tattoo gun.
Body piercing
There is a lot of variation in the kinds of needles body piercers use worldwide. As a general rule body piercers in the U.S. use specially made piercing needles that do not have an attached luer (as catheters do), but in Europe (Spain is an example) catheters are often used instead. In parts of Africa thorns or bone are used to perform body piercings.
Culturally accepted norms determine which piercing implement is used in each part of the world.
Instrumentation
For mechanical indicators, a needle can be used for reporting or measurement. See dial.
Phonography
A needle (or more properly, a stylus) is mounted in the arm of a phonograph to play back music recorded on a record or phonograph cylinder. See stylus.
Botany
The long, slender, pointed leaves of some conifers are often called needles. See the Pinophyta.
Needles were used as hidden weapons in ancient China, hidden under clothing (usually sleeves) and thrown at enemies. Despite its potential, they are rarely used for assassination. It is considered unethical to use hidden weapons any other purposes than self-defence. Today, Shaolin monks are known to be capable of throwing needles and penetrate 3cm (1.18 inch) of glass during public performances.
