huadian

Traditional Chinese makeup, which may be located on the forehead, between the eyebrows, the cheeks, the temples, and/or the dimples.

Also known as: huazi, mianhua, meizi, Shouyang makeup, and plum blossom makeup.

Huadian were historically worn by women - however, in fantasy depictions based in China, or with Chinese themes, there are depictions of men with similar or identical markings. This is used sometimes - though not always - as an indicator of supernatural abilites, deity status, or other non-human traits. This may derive from Buddhist influence, with an example being Nezha (哪吒), a male diety from Chinese and Indian mythology, or Erlang Shen, of whom is sometimes depicted with his third eye as a forehead mark.

See Also

• Bindi (Hindu forehead mark)