Beauty marks the spot

There's something about that little mole above Jake's lip. Some would say it's a mole and other would call it a beauty mark, but most agree, there is something about it that makes Jake Jake, and without it he wouldn't be the same.

A beauty spot is usually located on the face, somewhere on the cheek, or around the lips. Usually the marks appear on the face before the age of 20. If a beauty mark protrudes out then it is referred to as a mole.


A Greek myth says the Gods were jealous of those who looked too perfect and hence created a small dark mark on their faces, just to disturb their perfection.


During the 18th century, creating a faux beauty mark became a common fashion statement. Creating them not only as dot, but in fanciful shapes such as hearts, crescent moons or stars, and at certain times women also wore them in the shapes of birds, flowers--even horse-drawn carriages.


Initially, they served two purposes: to highlight a well-shaped mouth or eye or to cover a blemish and not just for the ladies, men, dandies and fops, would also wore the faux marks or patches. Later on, placement of patches became significant and could signify ones's political alliance, marital status or sexual availability.


The created beauty marks were known in France as mouches (French for fly) The mouches were considered to be the height of fashion. One reason they were worn was to prevent toothaches and headaches but they had become stylish for their optical effect, to make the skin appear whiter. The French and English were main wearer's of the beauty marks, but the Russian court wore them and called them mushka after the French mouche. People wore as little as one to three at a time, and there are others who wore as many as ten at a time. Some were placed to direct attention to dimple or smile.

If it be a lover's part you are to act,
take a black spot or two;
twill make your face more amorous,
and appear more gracious in your mistress's eyes.
Glapthorne 1640




The usage of the mouches was already known to the 17th century, and was the object of a well precise language, much like the language of fans or flowers.


Women used their mouche/beauty marks to convey a secret message. Madame Du Barry, the courtesan of Louis XV, apparently defined the meaning of the placement as so:


* Close to the eye, she names herself provocative or fascinated.
* On the corner mouth, this is the lover and kissable.
* Above the lip, she is flirty.
* Under the lip, she becomes mischievous or flirty.
* On the nose, sassy, impudent or strapping.
* On the forehead, the majestic or haughty
* On the cheek, this is the gallant or flirty one.
* On a wrinkle or laugh line, she is cheerful and playful
* On the chest, this is the generous one.
* On a button, the receiver.
* Or well on the chin, would not at all this be the discreet one?

Seems like Gods were right about where they put Jake's.






Thanks PG for the post idea.