Birthmarks are defined as congenital benign lesions that can be found anywhere on the skin. They are usually visible at or immediately after the birth of a newborn. The reason for their appearance and positioning isn’t quite known yet, however, scientists have argued that it mostly has to do with alterations in signaling which affects not skin cells but also migration and growth.
Given this, it is also worthy to note that many centuries past, before the introduction of science and its theories, there have been many myths surrounding birthmarks. Ancient theories suggest an array of possible reasons and factors which may have prompted these birthmarks. Some of these myths, we will be taking a look at here.
Noteworthy is the fact that in several languages the term ‘birthmark’ connotes different translations and meanings. These languages include Italian and Spanish languages where the birthmark means ‘cravings’. In Danish and Dutch languages, it means ‘Mother’ and the explanation for this is that only a mother can be responsible for the mark.
With this at the back of our minds, we will understand this whole article a whole lot better. It may also help us understand why people who believe in the theories do so. They probably seek meaning in their lives and may want to understand what happened in their previous lives or understand their current identities. Also, birthmarks could be hereditary. It could be passed down from generation even.
Types Of Birthmarks
Birthmarks are mostly classified into two types/categories. These categories are;
- Vascular birthmarks: These occur if blood vessels in a particular area of the skin do not form well. It could be a result of clustered blood vessels in an area or an expansion of the blood vessels. Examples of this is Salmon patches (stork bites/angel kisses), hemangiomas, and port-wine stains.
- Pigmented birthmarks: This occurs when there is an excess of pigment cells in an area. Pigment cells are known to be the cell responsible for natural coloration. Examples of these birthmarks are moles, café au lait spots, and Mongolian spots.
Some Birthmark Myths From Around The World
1. The Myth About Food, Pregnancy, and Birthmarks
In Italian and Arabic cultures, birthmarks in a child occur when during pregnancy, the mother craves some food. These cravings may be unfulfilled thereby creating a mark on the baby.
It is also said that the position of the birthmark could be determined by the mother. For instance, if she is craving a particular food and then scratches her arm or face, the birthmark will be located on the arm or face of the baby.
The most common birthmark associated with this myth is the hemangioma which most often takes the shape and color that is craved. Mostly, this crave is strawberries and the birthmark carries the color and shape of a strawberry. This is called ‘Haemangioma’ or ‘Strawberry naevus’.
2. Myth About Animals And Birthmarks
This myth states that if a child is born with a birthmark that looks like a part of an animal, he/she could be linked to the animal. This myth suggests that the animal whose feature appears on the child’s skin could be the child’s spirit animal.
3. Activities Or Experiences (include the soldier’s point after death and birthmark)
A part of these activities or experiences can be linked to the frantic experience of the mother while pregnant with her baby. Take, for example, the scenario of being scared by an animal or having a frightening experience with an animal and a feature of such an animal appearing on your child’s body.
If in the course of being scared, the mother touches her face or a part of her body, the mark will be seen on the face or the exact location the mother touched.
There is also the example of the Japanese tradition that states that if a pregnant woman stares into a fire, she will birth to a child with a burn mark. This mark is referred to by scientists as a ‘mole’ or ‘café au lait spot’.
Additionally, this relates to a person’s profession in his or her former life. It could be an indication of what you did or who you were in a previous life. For instance, the myth of a port-wine stain on the chest means you were once a soldier. A sword-like or knife-shaped birthmark signifies the same profession.
A Greek physician also propagated a theory that suggests if a woman looks at an image
4. Cause Of Death In Past Life
This mainly deals with the form and position of the mark. This myth goes with the cause of death in the former life or fatal wounds gotten in a past life. This myth was propagated by Dr. Ian Stevenson.
It suggests that if one carries a sword/knife-like birthmark, it indicates that the person may have been killed by the sword or knife.
If the mark takes the form of a flame, it means he/she died in a fire incident. A circular imprint indicates a bullet hole that suggests he or she was shot to death in their previous life.
5. Psychology And Birthmarks (right and left foot meaning plus the luck claim)
This myth according to the Chinese culture states that having a birthmark on your right foot means adventure. A birthmark on the left however suggests a great deal of intelligence. It also implies that having a birthmark on one’s tummy indicates greed.
Also, in some parts of Europe, birthmarks are seen as a good-luck charm. People who have four-leaf clover or horseshoe marks are seen as very lucky. People who touch people with birthmarks in this part of the world, regardless of the form the mark takes, believe they are tapping good luck from the bearers of the birthmark.
6. Birthmarks Could Indicate Royalty
Birthmarks also indicated ‘royal statuses’ from the 17th to 19th century. Certain birthmarks were proof of royal blood during that era. These marks were only supposedly associated with people from royal backgrounds.
It is also said that there were people who disguised as royalties by taking advantage of the mark and pretending to be royalties; Pretenders to the Russian Throne.
See Also: What Are The Best And Most Exciting Nicknames For Short People?
7. Spiritual Meanings
Not to start eerily but it was believed that the second wife of King Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn was a witch. This was because she has the ‘strawberry mark’ on her neck. However, moving on, some religions and traditions have tapped into these mythical explanations for birthmarks as well. There are several explanations that resonate with mystical theories.
One such explanation is from the Ethiopian Orthodox Church which suggests birthmarks to be kisses from the Virgin Mary. Having the ‘anchor’ birthmark is traced back to the founder of the ‘Seleucid Dynasty’, Seleucus. He later inspired the adoption of the anchor sign as a symbol of the Christian religion.
There is the story of St. Rocco who was born with a red cross-shaped birthmark on his chest. This was said to have been an indication that he would be a saint.
Nonetheless, there are revelations that the Puritans thought differently. They believed that birthmarks were the direct opposite of marks from God. They were instead believed to be marks of Satan.
