🌿 If You Have These Two “Dimples” on Your Lower Back, Here’s What They Really Mean
You may have noticed them on yourself — or seen them at the beach or in photos.
Two small indentations, just above the buttocks, on either side of the lower spine.
They’re commonly called:
- Venus dimples
- Back dimples
- Dimples of Venus (named after the Roman goddess of love)
They’re often associated with beauty, symmetry, and even sensuality.
But beyond aesthetics — do they actually mean anything about your health, strength, or genetics?
Let’s uncover the real anatomical story behind those two small indentations — and why they’re completely normal.
Because real beauty isn’t mysterious.
It’s biological.
🔍 What Are These Dimples, Really?
Those indentations aren’t scars, fat pockets, or posture problems.
They’re visible markers of a natural anatomical structure underneath the skin.
✅ The Real Cause: Skin Attachment Over the Pelvis
These dimples form where the skin is tightly anchored to the underlying bone of the pelvis.
Specifically, they sit over the:
- Posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) — a bony prominence of the pelvic bone
- Area near the sacroiliac joints
In some people, the skin and connective tissue attach more directly at that point.
That tighter attachment creates a small visible indentation.
That’s it.
No hidden condition. No secret meaning. Just anatomy.
🧬 Are Back Dimples Genetic?
Yes — largely.
Whether you have them depends on:
- Your pelvic bone shape
- Skin elasticity
- Fat distribution
- Genetic connective tissue patterns
They are not something you can create through exercise.
And they are not necessarily linked to body weight.
People of many body types can have them.
💪 Do They Indicate Strength or Fitness?
This is one of the most common myths.
Some believe back dimples signal:
- Strong core muscles
- Athletic ability
- High fertility
- Better circulation
There is no scientific evidence supporting these claims.
They are simply structural features.
While visible dimples may appear more noticeable in lean individuals (because there’s less tissue covering the pelvis), they are not proof of fitness.
⚠️ Are They Ever a Medical Concern?
In adults, these lower-back dimples are almost always harmless.
However, there is a different condition called a sacral dimple in newborns.
Sacral Dimples (Infants)
- Usually located slightly lower, near the top of the buttock crease
- Often shallow and harmless
- Occasionally associated with spinal development issues if deep or accompanied by other skin changes
For adults with symmetrical upper buttock dimples, there is typically no medical issue involved.
📊 Quick Comparison: Myth vs Reality
| Claim | True or False | Explanation | Health Meaning | Scientific Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| They mean you’re athletic | False | Not linked to muscle strength | None | No evidence |
| They’re genetic | Mostly true | Pelvic structure inherited | Normal variation | Supported by anatomy |
| You can “train” to get them | False | Not muscle-based | None | No evidence |
| They’re dangerous | False (in adults) | Normal anatomical feature | Harmless | Well understood |
🌎 Why Are They Called “Dimples of Venus”?
The name comes from classical art and mythology.
In Greco-Roman sculpture, symmetrical lower-back indentations were often depicted as a sign of idealized human proportion.
The term “Venus dimples” references Venus, the Roman goddess associated with love and beauty.
For men, they are sometimes informally called “Dimples of Apollo.”
But medically?
They’re simply back dimples.
