A Lesson in The Complex History of the Beauty Mark (2024)

Who knew that a tiny dot on your face could hold so much symbolic power? It turns out that the beauty mark has had an intricate past, related to the way in which it has been valued. But before we delve into the intriguing meaning behind the beauty mark, let's get down to the basics first . On a scientific level, a beauty mark is equivalent to that of a mole; a small group of skin cells that grow in a cluster as opposed to spreading evenly. So, essentially the term beauty mark and mole are interchangeable. This group of cells fall into the category of melanocytes, which are responsible for producing melanin, skin’s natural pigment.

Now transitioning to the more interesting topic of discussion; metaphorically speaking, beauty marks have come to represent so much more than a bunch of minuscule melanocytes. As with many features on the face, beauty marks have been deeply rooted in aesthetic value. Think of the frenzy caused by Cindy Crawford's in the early '90s. Although nowadays in many contemporary societies the unique appearance of beauty marks is deemed “trendy” and is surely sought after by many, it hasn’t always been this way. In fact, the so-called value of the beauty mark has vacillated quite a bit, altering throughout time and across various cultures. Let’s explore this complicated past in chronological order, shall we?

In Ancient Greece, beauty marks— often referred to as olives— were commonly used during the process of predicting one's future. If you were lucky enough to have a beauty mark on your cheek, then you were destined for a future of prosperity. A mole on your throat or back? Well let's just say your fortune involved premature death .

The Romans view of beauty marks had a darker connotation. Formerly enslaved Romans would use faux moles to conceal their scars, caused by the abuse they endured during their time in bondage.

Mian Xiang, or face reading, was developed thousands of years ago as a form of divination. This ancient practice, which is still used to this day, involves analyzing certain facial structures and features including to provide insight into someone’s character, and future. The color of a mole is a central aspect of this practice, as red and black moles are seen to be favorable while brown moles represent grave warning signs.

If you are curious about the correlation between moles and witches, here's a tidbit for you. The familiar iconography of witches with prominent moles on their face is an image that is often associated with Halloween, and there’s no coincidence there. During the Middle Ages, some Europeans believed moles to be a sign of witchcraft, and anyone who had a mole was surely possessed by the devil.

In 18th Century Mexico, it was not uncommon to see women wearing faux beauty marks made from tortoiseshell or fabric. These artificial patches were called chiqueadores and were placed on the temple or forehead as a trendy style.

Although initially used by many to cover smallpox scars, artificial beauty marks soon became a fad among aristocrats in various parts of Western Europe, such as France and England. Nicknamed mouches, or “flies” by the French, these adhesive moles made from velvet or moleskin became a unique fashion statement that often conveyed a person’s mood depending on its placement. A mouche on the cheek was a sign of flirtation.

Fast forward to the early 1900s in America, the world of Hollywood couldn’t get enough of the beauty mark—it didn't get much more alluring than that. American actress, singer, and model Marilyn Monroe helped to popularize the style with her own natural beauty mark— although questions have surfaced regarding whether it was real.

Monroe wasn’t the only beauty mark icon in the world of celebrity culture. Superstars like Cindy Crawford, Madonna, Eva Mendez and Blake Lively have all embraced their natural beauty mark as a part of their signature look.