Birthmark Meanings Steeped in Superstition & Folklore

Birthmark Shape and Location Meanings
Birthmark meanings have long been steeped in superstition and folklore.

There are many birthmark meanings steeped in superstition and folklore. Before the advances in medical science, superstitions were used to explain every occurrence – from conception to death and disease to recovery. Today people still repeat the “old wives’ tales” passed down from generation to generation. Here is a comprehensive collection of some of the more popular tales about how and why birthmarks appear.

Birthmarks Are the Devil’s Mark or Sign of Something Evil

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Birthmarks Are the Devil’s Mark or Sign of Something Evil

The idea that birthmarks are the devil’s mark on witches is a very dangerous belief that was the demise of many puritan women in America in the late 1600s. The superstitious belief is that the devil places a supernatural brand or mark in an inconspicuous place on a witch’s body for identification purposes and to seal a demonic pact. Any woman having such a mark was labeled a witch and executed. ((Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Demons in World Religions and Cultures))

In the book, The Little Giant Encyclopedia of Superstitions, a collection of thousands of beliefs, omens, and proverbs, birthmarks are caused by an expectant mother seeing or being touched by something evil. ((The Little Giant Encyclopedia of Superstitions. United Kingdom, Sterling Publishing Company, 1999.))

Birthmarks Are Divine Messages from the Gods

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In Ancient Greece, birthmarks were considered divine messages left or written by the gods on a person’s body. Especially so if the mark were on the forehead. ((‘Body Marks – Birthmarks. Body Divination in Ancient Literature and Iconography’, in A. Shapiro et al. (eds), Bodies in Transition. Dissolving the Boundaries of Embodied Knowledge (Morphomata), Munich, 2015, 155-177))

Birthmarks Remnants of a Death Wound in Previous Life

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Birthmarks Remnants of a Death Wound in Previous Life

Some cultures that believe in reincarnation believe that a birthmark in this life is a deadly wound in another. For example, if a person died of a gunshot wound, he would be reincarnated with a birthmark at the wound site. A long, slender birthmark may be a sword blow. ((Stephenson, Ian. Journal of Scientific Exploration; “Birthmarks and Birth Defects Corresponding to Wounds on Deceased Persons.” Vol. 7, No. 4, pp. 403-410, 1993))

Birthmark Location Has Meaning to Some

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Birthmark Location Has Meaning to Some

Originally published in 1903, the contributors to the Encyclopædia of Superstitions, Folklore, and the Occult Sciences of the World: Volume I set out to collect information about cultural superstitions from across the globe.

They discovered what different cultures believed about what a birthmark signifies when present on a certain body part. In general, many believe that a birthmark located anywhere on the right side of the body is lucky, while the opposite is true for the left. ((Encyclopædia of Superstitions, Folklore, and the Occult Sciences of the World: Volume I. United States, University Press of the Pacific, 2003.))

Face: If a woman has a birthmark on her face she will live a life of misery and poverty. She will also be a false friend.

Nose: A person lucky enough to have a birthmark on or near the nose will succeed in all his endeavors.

Eyes: A person with a birthmark near an eye is quiet and trustworthy. He will also meet with a terrible death.

Right side of forehead: The person with the birthmark on the right side of the forehead will come to great power and honor. This is the likely outcome to a similar superstition that maintains that this position means the person has great mental power.

Left side of forehead: The person with a birthmark on the left side of the forehead will be thwarted in his deepest desire.

Heart: Those with birthmarks over the heart will meet with a bloody death.

Birthmark Shape Meaning

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Birthmark Shapes Have Meaning for Some

The Little Giant Encyclopedia of Superstitions also reports that the shape of a birthmark has meaning to some. ((The Little Giant Encyclopedia of Superstitions. United Kingdom, Sterling Publishing Company, 1999.))

Rounded birthmark: You will be fortunate if you have a rounded birthmark.

Angular birthmark: Angular birthmarks are unlucky.

Raised birthmark: If you are the bearer of a raised birthmark, you will be VERY lucky!

Maternal Impression Influences Birthmark Formation

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Maternal Impression Influences Birthmark Formation

The term maternal impression is the belief that a powerful influence on the mind of a pregnant woman will result in a mark on the unborn child. Many birthmark superstitions are steeped in this belief.

If a pregnant woman has a craving for something and does not get it, the baby will have a birthmark resembling the food that was craved.

If a pregnant woman gets frightened and touches some part of her body, her child will be born with a birthmark on the same part of its body. The birthmark will be the same shape as the thing which frightened the mother.

If a pregnant woman is frightened by fire, the baby will have a red or purple birthmark.

((University of Detroit Mercy – “The James T. Callow Computerized Folklore Archive” ))

Birthmarks and Food Associations

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Birthmarks and Food Associations

According to Andrea Malossini, who has been studying, collecting, and writing for many years on topics regarding superstition and witchcraft and is the author of the book Italian Superstitions, maternal food cravings are greatly associated with birthmarks. The belief is that when a mother-to-be intensely craves a particular food, if she happens to touch herself during that moment, her baby will have a birthmark in the exact place. The following is an example of the type of birthmark associated with a particular food craving. ((Malossini, Andrea. Italian Superstitions. Italy, Andrea Malossini, 2013.))

Dark birthmark with hair: craving for pork or rabbit

Red birthmark shaped like a raspberry: desire for strawberries or cherries

Purple birthmark: craving for red wine

Dark brown spots: desire for coffee

Spotted birthmarks: craving for grapes

Long, pink birthmarks: craving for ham

White spot: desire for milk

Birthmark Cultural Meanings

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Birthmark Cultural Meanings

Many other beliefs surround birthmarks as well. Some cultures believe that birthmarks are lucky and should be touched. The Italian, Spanish, and Arabic words for birthmarks – voglie, antojos, and wiham, respectively – all mean “wishes.” ((Berman, Michael. Georgia Through Its Legends, Folklore, and People. United States, Nova Science Publishers, 2011.))

In Iranian folklore, if a pregnant woman scratches herself while watching a lunar eclipse, her child will be born with a dark spot on its body and a hairy mole, called māh bagite (“lunar eclipse”). Also, those who look upon a pregnant woman and those she looks upon will influence her child’s features. ((Encylopaedia Iranica – “Gilan xvi. Folklore“))

The Greeks believe that a birthmark can be caused by an expectant mother who eats tomatoes on St. Simon’s Day. They also believe that black pepper causes moles and that moles are lucky. Throwing black pepper at an expectant mother on St. Simon’s Day is considered good practice. ((Encyclopaedia of Superstitions, Folklore, and the Occult Sciences of the World: A Comprehensive Library of Human Belief and Practice in the Mysteries of Life. United States, J. H. Yewdale & sons Company, 1903.))