The Mystery Behind the Two Dimples on Your Lower Back
Across social media, millions have been captivated by photos and videos showing small indentations on the lower back, right above the buttocks. These subtle dips—often referred to as “Venus dimples” in women and “Apollo dimples” in men—are seen by many as a sign of beauty, health, or even good genetics. But what do they really mean? Are they purely aesthetic, or do they reveal something deeper about the human body?
A Natural Feature of Human Anatomy
The “dimples of Venus,” or fovea lumbales laterales in anatomical terms, are naturally occurring small indentations located on the lower back where the pelvis meets the spine. They sit right over the sacroiliac joints, the place where your sacrum (the base of your spine) connects to your pelvic bones.
Not everyone has them, and that’s completely normal. The presence or absence of these dimples is largely genetic—it depends on how your bones and ligaments are structured beneath the skin. People with more prominent dimples tend to have shorter ligaments or thinner layers of fat in that area, which makes the indentations more visible.
So, if you see someone with those small back dimples, it’s not because they worked out for them or did something specific to “get” them. They’re an inherited feature—part of the natural variety of human anatomy.
The Symbolism Through History
The name “Venus dimples” comes from Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty. In ancient art, dimples on the lower back were often seen as symbols of sensuality and grace. Artists and sculptors, fascinated by the human form, noticed these natural details and highlighted them in marble statues and paintings.
In men, they were sometimes called “dimples of Apollo”, after the Greek god of strength, youth, and vitality. Whether in ancient Rome or the Renaissance, these features were celebrated as marks of harmony and proportion—a quiet sign of natural beauty rather than artificial perfection.
Modern Myths and Facts
Over time, social media turned these dimples into something of a modern-day fascination. Posts claiming “if you have these dimples, it means you’re special,” or “it means you have great circulation or better sex life,” spread quickly online. But are those claims true?
Let’s separate fact from fiction:
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Myth #1: “They mean you’re fitter or healthier.”
Not necessarily. While people with lower body fat percentages might have dimples that are easier to see, the dimples themselves don’t indicate physical fitness or overall health. -
Myth #2: “They improve blood flow or stamina.”
There’s no scientific evidence to support this. The dimples are simply a result of how your skin and ligaments connect to the pelvic bones, not a marker of circulation or physical endurance. -
Myth #3: “Everyone can get them with exercise.”
Unfortunately, you can’t “train” for them. Since they’re determined by bone and ligament structure, not by muscle, no amount of targeted workouts can create them if you weren’t born with the right anatomy.
What They Actually Indicate
So, what can these dimples tell you? Anatomically, they show that your sacroiliac joints are well-defined. Some experts also note that these dimples may be a sign of good spinal alignment or posture, simply because the sacroiliac joints are positioned clearly and symmetrically.
In other words, they’re a small, harmless, and natural quirk—just one of the many ways human bodies differ from one another.
Why People Find Them Attractive
From an aesthetic perspective, the dimples draw attention to the curvature of the lower back and hips, areas often associated with balance and strength. Artists, photographers, and fitness enthusiasts sometimes highlight them as a subtle mark of beauty and proportion.
It’s not surprising that social media has reignited fascination with them—humans have always been drawn to the small details that make each body unique. Venus dimples, when visible, can accentuate the natural flow of the spine, making the back appear more sculpted or graceful. Yet it’s important to remember that attractiveness is incredibly subjective. Some find them captivating; others may never notice them at all.
Body Positivity and Self-Image
In today’s world of constant comparison, it’s easy to mistake natural differences for something to be “fixed” or “achieved.” But whether you have these dimples or not, your worth and beauty aren’t defined by small physical details. Just as some people have freckles, birthmarks, or dimples on their cheeks, Venus dimples are another expression of individuality.
Instead of chasing after every viral body trend, appreciating these differences helps build a healthier relationship with one’s own body. Your back dimples don’t make you better or worse—they’re just a reminder of how diverse and remarkable human anatomy truly is.
How to Embrace or Highlight Them (If You Want To)
If you do have these dimples and want to show them off in a confident, natural way, there are a few simple, non-invasive ways to highlight them:
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Posture and core strength: Good posture and strong lower-back muscles naturally define your back’s shape.
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Hydration and healthy skin: Keeping your skin hydrated can enhance the natural appearance of all body features.
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Confidence: Ultimately, what draws people’s attention most isn’t the feature—it’s how you carry yourself. Confidence transforms subtle features into statements of individuality.
The Beauty of Human Variation
In a world where we’re constantly told to fit a mold, the story of these “two holes in your back” reminds us of something important: beauty lies in variation, not uniformity. Whether you have them or not, your body carries its own map of unique traits—each one with a story written in bone, skin, and lineage.
These small dimples are a gentle reminder that the human body isn’t meant to be identical from one person to another. It’s meant to reflect diversity, evolution, and individuality.
In the end, those tiny dimples don’t mean you’re healthier, stronger, or luckier—they simply mean you’re human.
And that, truly, is what makes them—and you—beautiful.
