Mysteries of the Mongolian blue spot

Blue spot

Every Mongolian baby is born with a blue birthmark on their back and it is known as the Mongolian spot worldwide. The Mongols has worshiped the eternal blue sky from ancient times and considered this birthmark as a heavenly seal for Mongolians only.

Mongolian spot or congenital dermal melanocytosis is a benign, flat, congenital and irregular-shaped birthmark with wavy borders. Infants are born with one or more Mongolian spots, ranging from a small area on the buttocks to a larger area on the back.

The spot normally disappears three to five years after the birth and clears by puberty. Common color is blue, but sometimes it can found as blue-gray, blue-black or deep brown. In fact, pigmented birthmarks are associated with health risks, but Mongolian blue spots are certainly not.

Scientists have found that the Mongolian spot appeared when melanocytes (cells that produce pigment or melanin) remained in the deeper skin layer during embryonic development. However, the causes of such spots are still not figured out in medicine.

And this is one of the mysteries of the Mongolian spot…

Mongolian blue spot

According to “The Amazing Language of Medicine: Understanding Medical Terms and Their Backstories“, the term was actually coined by German anthropologist Erwin Baltz. During 1880’s, he was serving as a physician to Emperor Meiji and the Imperial households, while living in Japan with his Japanese wife and two children.

When he noticed that the mysteries spots were on the babies of his care, he decided to name it as “Mongolian Spots”, referring to a now-outdated research on race. It classified the Asians as “Mongoloids”, popularized by Johann Blumenbach, a German physician, naturalist, physiologist and anthropologist.

Erwin Baltz presented his research findings in Berlin in 1901, and from that point on, his name began associated with certain skin cells that contain pigment.

Hans Egede Saabye, a Danish priest and botanist, spent a period from 1770 to 1778 in Greenland among native Inuit people. Containing with much ethnographic information, his diaries were published in 1816 and translated into several European languages. Firstly, he described the blue spot on newborns, claiming that he had seen it often when the Inuit infants were presented naked for baptism.

Hans Edege

Hans Edege (1686-1758)

Another Danish observer, Daniel Frederik Eschricht who was a doctor and zoologist based in Copenhagen wrote about the “mixed” babies whom he had delivered at the lying-in hospital in 1849. He also, says that the observation made for the first time by Saabye about the Inuit children was completely confirmed by Captain Holboll, who sent him a fetus pickled in alcohol.

This birthmark is prevalent not only among Mongolians, but also among the East, South, Southeast, North and Central Asian people, Indigenous Oceanians (chiefly Micronesians and Polynesians), certain populations in Africa, Amerindians, non-European Latin American, Caribbean mixed-race descendants, and Turkish people.

While the blue spot is found in almost 95 percent of Mongolians, other Asians especially Korean, Japanese and Chinese people are observed with blue spots about 50-80% of their population.

According to a study performed in various hospitals in Mexico City, 51.8% of Mexican newborns presented the Mongolian spot on average. Also, the Mexican Social Security Institute confirms that almost the half of Mexican babies have the Mongolian spot. Central American indigenous children were subjected to racism due to their Mongolian spots, but progressive circles began to make the Mongolian spot popular after the late 1960’s.
The blue spot also appears on 5–10% of Caucasian descendants. Among Europeans, it is almost absent that only 1-10% of the population counted for. But the  interesting fact is Hungarians, whom it reaches 22.6% of the population.

Perhaps, it can be explained by the invasions of the Huns, the ancestors of the Mongols to Europe roughly between 376-476 CE. In the Middle Ages, Hungary was called the kingdom of the Huns, as it is mentioned in the German heroic epic “The Song of the Nibelungs” written by an anonymous poet at the beginning of the XIII century.

Huns

It is known that this birthmark is mostly found in Central Asia, namely in Mongolia. Then why the Mongolian spot is spread among the Indians of North and South America?

According to the latest research, the first wave of settlers came to American continent from Siberia and Central Asia through the Bering Strait, not earlier than 23 thousand years ago at the height of the last Ice Age. It may explain the presence of the Mongolian spot in most of the babies of the natives of America.

Native American

Native American 

Then, how can we explain the presence of this birthmark in newborns of some African peoples, such as Ethiopians or of full Caucasian descents? One can only speculate and make guesses…

In any case, the most of the people who have this phenomenon, consider this blue spot to be a good sign and a symbol of the blessing of higher powers.

Folks long believed that the slap “for happiness” was made by the divine hand, or someone from great and glorious ancestors did it.
Some cultures believe that the blue spot is left from the divine place where the baby was prodded or slapped by a spirit to leave “pre-life” and be born, while others say it’s a sign of royalty.

Mongolians, from ancient times, believed that they were patronized by heavenly powers. Therefore, on the seal of the Great Khan of the Mongol Empire was the inscription “By the will of the eternal sky”. And Mongolians understood the birth of children with a blue spot as the patronage of the heavens over their descendants.

By the will of the eternal sky

Guyuk khan’s Stamp 1246.

Korean mythology explains the spot as a bruise formed when Samshin Halmi, a shaman spirit, to whom people pray around childbirth, slapped the baby’s back to hasten him born from his or her mother’s womb.

The mark is also common among Maya people of the Yucatan Peninsula, where it is referred to Wa in Maya, which means the “circle of heaven”.

According to the Kyrgyz belief, the goddess Umai-Ene plucks the child for the tailbone, thereby clarifies that he is considered to be protected from evil and guaranteed for life-time.

The Uighurs name the blue spot as the mark of Tengri, the sky deity who also blesses the newborn. Number of other Turkic people believe that the deities Tengri or Umai-ene help the child to take the first breath, slap him on the buttocks with their own hands. This role is played by the goddess Aiyysyt among Siberian Yakuts,.

The origin of the Mongolian spot is not yet been clarified, therefore, some fantastic explanations of this phenomenon should appear. For example: a researcher from Kazakhstan, Adil Korzabayev, believes that the “Mongolian spot” arose as a result of crossing humans with some alien race.

For the first time, he says that the version about the alien trail was told to him by a professional dermatologist, who said that the Mongolian spot is caused by a substance similar to melanin, but with a completely different chemical structure that is responsible for the blue color of the skin. Melanin is black, provided that it has the ability to absorb ultraviolet rays and to protect the epidermis. But aliens have it blue. According to Adil Korzabayev, the Mongolian spot is the most important proof that once aliens left their blood in humans.

37 thoughts on “Mysteries of the Mongolian blue spot

  1. Lisa binger pastran says:

    My daughter if Caucasian and Puerto rican mix . She has a Mongolian spot blue on her mid back. . I believe she is a spirit of higher powers which she is very intuitive and is in touch with outer dimensions. I find this very amazing and proof is here id like more info. She is 34 years of age now

    • Explainer says:

      Well, Puerto Ricans have native admixture, and that native is Palaeo-Asian (ancient Asian) in origin, so it’s no surprise there. That might be a genetic remnant from old.

  2. NexĞhęn.ģi§Khåń says:

    In sylhet Bangladesh there is a old saying that the more spots on the new born child refer to the amount of anger aggression the individual will have in his personality charachter this is said in a jokingly positive light as is meant as one who can stand up for his right and others a pers ok n whoncan stand there ground
    All 4 of my children incl my self and my wife all from bangladesh though we were all born live in the west have these Mongolian blue spots my yo uh ingest child having the most several an although still at a tender age seems to be the most stubborn an uncompromising lets just say lol

  3. Candy lavs_u says:

    I’ve read another article on the other site saying those who have these spots are ‘Monggoloid’. Then here you say ‘aliens’ and a blessed child from the heavens. I’m kinda wondering since I have that pale blue mark on my right arm. Anyone who can enlighten me about it can reach me on this email: [email protected]
    Thanks 🥰

  4. Gale Lang says:

    My youngest daughter was born with the Mongolian markings on her lower back. She is the only one in our family with beautiful long dark straight silky hair, and only child who looks Mongolian. I am Italian and French my husband is Irish and German. My daughter also has a temper like a Mongolian, but is a beautiful person.

  5. sharon says:

    Anyone ever read about a Mongolian spot feeling sensitive? My sone says he feels it very lightly hurt when he presses on it.
    Thanks

  6. Hisui Kobayashi says:

    I read somewhere 2% of people who have Mongolian birthmark remain to keep it in adult life. I’m in my 40s and still don’t know anyone else that has it as an adult. I wish there was more info about this subject 🙂

    • Sequoia says:

      Both my daughter and I have this, hers is much bigger than mine. We both still visibly have them.
      Hmm, alien huh? Lol. Funny that the original melanin was blue or green prior to becoming black. Science has recently stated that those who are descendents of W. African blood have alien DNA, that is something that is not of earth and identifiable. How long have they known this?

    • S. Osorio says:

      I’m in my 50’s, always had my Mongolian birthmark my buttocks. For some reason I have always liked it. My 1st (so far ,only,) grandchild has my Mongolian birthmark. In hospital, his doctor pointed it out to us, and the fact he is miracle child that his parents blood don’t match to produce children.

    • Lakiesha says:

      I am actually 27 and my birthmark consumes my left arm from shoulder to finger tips and in between my shoulder Blades. I get questioned a lot when I wear tank tops and some think it’s a bad tan though it’s a blue-grey hue now, a bit faded compared to infant, toddler, and childhood days.
      Speaking on behalf of anyone who knows me and myself, I’ve always been intuitively and spiritually inclined and dealt with harshly because my parents didn’t understand what I was telling them. They always thought I was making things up. Also stubborn, and aggressive when standing ground against injustice or what’s morally right. Overly empathetic… I could go on.

    • Queenie says:

      I’m 29, and I have it on my forehead, behind my ears, shoulders, on top of my boobs, upper arms , back and buttocks. Immediately I gave birth to my daughter at the hospital, I checked her body she has the Mongolian birth mark in the same parts I have it. I feel so blessed about it.

  7. Alice says:

    Hair whorl : why do we have them! Some have three! It seems people with more than one whorl are stubborn but brilliant.

  8. Richard Anderson says:

    Conveniently leave out the studies that show black Americans having the spot at up to 96.7% despite being a bit mixed with Caucasian. Proof they were in America long before 1619

    • Jess says:

      That is such a good point! My son had a MS when he was born. Im black (I look half native) and my husband is German. Definitely confirmation!

    • Q says:

      I thought I was tripping smh, I’m like why havent they mentioned “blk americans” in this article. I have 12 siblings and 3 children and ALL of us have them! More proof that everyone is in on hiding the truth about who we are. Also most “blk americans” do not have caucasian ancestry, thats another lie they tell. Maybe european ancestry but when you realize who the real european is it’ll all make sense. It’s crazy everyone wants to tell us who we are but not, but no one wants tell us who we really are! but youre comment is more proof that we are waking up! peace and blessing my brother.

  9. Shivani says:

    My son was born with a Mongolian spot blue on his mid-back. He is 11 now, it’s faded but the mark is still there. He is very different from my other two kids. He is happy-go-lucky, does not think before he talks, is over-friendly, and also when he doesn’t like something or someone he can let it go easily. He has a unique personality and is always the best response to everything that no one can even imagine. He is a genius.

  10. Sandi Murray says:

    Native American here, I have a blue birthmark I was born with on my right arm and told one day by my dentist it was called a “mongolian birthmark. Reading these comments help know that im not alone. Nobody i have ever known has a birthmark like mine. kinda felt wierded out why i have this.

  11. Summer says:

    I have one on my back. whenever i went to get a back Massage my RMTS pointed it out and asked me if its a bruise. I believe its lucky and my presence bring prosperity of those around me and in my immediate life. I also feel its a sign from the above. Im highly intuitive. I was saved from wild deadly accidents more than a few times and miraculously saved mashallah. touch wood. My daughter was also born with one. I also feel its a calling for a bigger purpose.

  12. Shah Bano says:

    I have Mongolian spot on my right side of my forehead.. I’m the only one i have.. and I’m Pakistani …i feel so proud that I’m different.. and i have some spiritual powers

  13. Christine Torres says:

    I’m a 45yr old female Hispanic with American Indian decent, I wasn’t born with the Mongolian birth mark, this so called birth mark didn’t appear on my face until I was 19 yrs. old. it started out small then it expanded over the years , it grew into a heart with blue and brown spots on my right side cheek, I don’t understand how it could be called a birth mark, when at birth I had no sign of this birth mark on my face.

  14. Lina Lee says:

    My four children were born with what we call “Mongolian mark”. My 4yr old still has hers. In Hawaii they tell us that it marks us as descendants of Genghis Khan. Whether true or not, I think the marks are wonderful & happy my children had them.

  15. Oyuna says:

    I am Mongolian, I still have my blue marks in my mid back area with dot in the middle. Had my DNA test then I found out that my dad is Russian. I am very spiritual and intuitive person.

  16. Myriam says:

    Two of my children a boy and a girl were born with Mongolian birthmarks that cover their entire bum all the way up to the back. Each one of them from a different father but we’re all Mexicans. So I wonder why they have them what’s the meaning for us especially since we’re Mexicans I’m confused?

  17. Dawn says:

    My youngest sibling was born with a blue bottom. He rarely cried as a baby. He was really quiet. He was like an old soul. We think maybe he would see spirits that we couldn’t see. He would look up & start smiling or laughing like someone was playing with him. As a young child he liked to dress like a man. In kindergarten he always wore a tie & jacket to public school. My dad never wore ties but we had to always look for a tie for my baby brother. He would get on his step stool and look in the mirror & straighten up his tie. He would say, “I got on my big eyes, got on my big smile, uh huh I’m looking good!” Then, he would jump down & be ready for school. He started singing songs & leading stomp dance ceremonies when he was 5 yrs old. Now he’s in his 20’s and he’s a leader at our church. He’s the preacher’s right hand man. He’s our lay leader & devotion leader. He might be a spiritual warrior, but he’s not a physical fighter. He’s already married & owns his own house. Sometimes he irritates me bc he’s a bit self righteous & thinks he’s better than everyone else. He will turn his own brother into the law if he thinks his brother did something wrong. When he pulls stuff like that I want to hit him in the face bc apparently I’m the mean one in the family. I will fight anyone that causes harm to my family. I love all my family though, regardless if they’re snitches & have a blue butt.

  18. Lani says:

    Very interesting! I was born with this blue mark. I am 19 years old now and still have it. I’ve always wondered why it didn’t go away like everyone I know did. Reading this gave me some clarity in a way. It just opens my eyes and mind more. Thanks for this.

  19. Malaika T says:

    I’m Native American (Navajo), Hispanic(Puerto Rican), and African American… I’m now 22 years old and I’ve had this blue birthmark since I was a child. I have one in the shape of a rough circle on the front of my left ankle. I have another that covers half of my right back and extends up to my shoulders and down my right arm… it also almost fully covers my right breast and in the middle of my chest. It’s always mistaken by people as a bruise… I never really knew what it was, I was told by doctors that it is a birthmark and it should fade as I get older. It never faded. It did change over time… the blue spot on my back ended up getting brown little dots all over it once I got sunburned. And I have another little blue spot on my left arm that formed after getting a vaccine. I was always bullied as a kid for having this birthmark , I was treated differently and I never really grew to like it. But now that I read these comments and realize that I’m not alone, it makes me feel better about having it.

  20. Christy A says:

    I was born with a Mongolian Birthmark on my right upper butt cheek going on to my lower back, just like the picture on this post. I’m now 42 and it’s not as blue anymore .. it’s more like a faded bruise color now. After reading this article, it makes sense for my heritage background. I’m Paiute Native American and Portuguese from my fathers side and Mexican from my mothers side and after doing an ancestry test… it does show a lot . It’s always fascinated me as to why I might have this mark, but now I know it’s more common then not. Thank you for this article.

  21. Queenie says:

    I’m 29, from West Africa and I have it on my forehead, behind my ears, shoulders, on top of my boobs, upper arms , back and buttocks. Immediately I gave birth to my daughter, I checked her body and she has the blue Mongolian birth mark in the same spots I have it. I feel so blessed about it.

  22. Aub bry says:

    “I’m 32 years old, and my Mongolian birthmarks are randomly spread around my body, including my face, shoulders, and all throughout my back. They also include my two eyes. I always conceal them with makeup, as I’m tired of explaining to people that they are not bruises. I used to feel insecure and was bullied a lot during my high school days. However, I used those experiences to build myself into a strong person I am today. I still feel insecure but only show it to my closest family and friends. It delights me that this article showcases and explains what these birthmarks really mean

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