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Aniles fabulae
"A myth, once lodged in our cultural imagination, is difficult to dislodge. Only gradually in the mid-twentieth century did maternal impression theory begin to fall into disrepute in the U.S.. Maternity guides refuted the idea that pregnant women's imaginations could mark their fetuses, while lamenting that it remained widespread. Yet misinformation about birthmarks continues to circulate today. "Birthmark meaning" and "birthmark spiritual meaning" are among the most popular Google search terms related to birthmarks. People still seek to assign some greater meaning to birthmarks."
from:
'Marked: Birthmarks and Historical Myths of Maternal Responsibility.'
Via: Nursing Clio
posted by clavdivs on Jan 20, 2026 at 8:01 PM
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Not mentioned in the article, here's what French philosopher and scientist Nicolas Malebranche wrote in The Search after Truth (1674-75), after several pages explaining how the "imagination of mothers" caused birthmarks and physical defects in their children:
There are many other Examples in Authors, of the power of the Imagination of Mothers, and there is nothing so fantastical but has caused Abortions sometimes. For they not only make Children deformed, but also marked with such Fruits as they have longed for, as Plumbs, Pears, Grapes, and such like things. For instance, some Mothers having a strong Inclination to eat Pears, the Children imagine and desire them with the same ardour, and the course of the Spirits excited by the image of this desired fruit, disposing it self through the little body, is able to change its figure, because of its softness : So that these poor Children become like those things they wish'd for with so much ardour.
So: when a mother loves pears, she passes on her love for the fruit to her children, who in turn love pears so much that they become pear-shaped.
posted by elgilito at 1:12 AM
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The theory of maternal impression – that a pregnant woman's desires, experiences, and thoughts could physically mark her fetus
This is ridiculous. Everyone knows it's what mothers do after their children are born that scars them for the rest of their lives.
In the first century CE, the Roman author Pliny the Elder wrote that pregnant women's diet, "[their] gait in walking," and their "recollections of sights and sounds and actual sense-impressions" all influenced the appearance and health of their children.
On the other hand, one could legitimately write a history of Western thought-as-mansplaining.
posted by Smedly, Butlerian jihadi at 4:17 AM
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elgilito: "For instance, some Mothers having a strong Inclination to eat Pears"
Female desire, the scariest thing in the whole world
posted by tiny frying pan at 5:40 AM
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As late as 1970, my mother was told in all seriousness that if she did any number of things she would "mark the baby". I'm sure people are still telling pregnant women this today.
posted by Adridne at 5:41 AM
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acknowledged one physician. Yet, he wrote, "I myself have seen what the mothers have told me were dried peaches, strawberries, raspberries, port-wine stains, and a variety of other objects."
I suppose pareidolia, selection bias, and misogyny were also unleashed when Eve was tempted to open Pandora's box.
posted by AlSweigart at 5:59 AM
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I have a bunch of birthmarks on my face, that probably means I'm Satan.
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:32 AM
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Humans are so fucking stupid.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 11:17 AM
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