She had her ears 'pierced'. = She 'pierced' her ears. [=she had holes made in her ears so that she could wear earrings]
The fog was 'pierced' by a dim light. [=a dim light could be seen through the fog]
The troops 'pierced through' the enemy's defenses.
(..) He cannot yet take physical form... ...but his spirit has lost none of its potency. Concealed within his fortress,the Lord of Mordor sees all. His gaze pierces cloud,shadow,earth and flesh. You know of what I speak,Gandalf. A Great Eye,lidless,wreathed in flame. The Eye of Sauron. (..)2001 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring