The secret of 2 red dots on the corner of the mouth of the Tang Dynasty concubine

According to experts, the habit of wearing 2 red dots on the corner of the concubine's mouth not only helps to become more beautiful and attractive, but also hides the secret of the bedroom.

In Tang Dynasty period films, we often see concubines dotted with red dots on both cheeks, near the corners of the mouth. This type of makeup is called 'pressure'. In addition to making women more beautiful, actually a mysterious signal between emperors and concubines, had a great effect in the bedroom.

Picture 1 of The secret of 2 red dots on the corner of the mouth of the Tang Dynasty concubine
The two dots at the corner of the mouth are the popular makeup of Tang Dynasty women.

According to research, the makeup steps of women in the Tang Dynasty were roughly divided into several main steps: applying lead powder, applying powder, drawing eyebrows, drawing flowers on the forehead, drawing dots at the corners of the mouth, drawing flowers on the temples and the end. the same lipstick.

Usually women of the time used lipstick to draw dots at the corners of the mouth. The shape of the dots changed specifically from time to time, before the Tang Dynasty, there were usually two round dots like soybeans. After the Tang Dynasty, the dots were larger and the designs were much richer. For example, coin-shaped dots, almond-shaped dots.

More specifically, these dots will be decorated with a variety of flowers and decorations around, often called "flower pressure".

In fact, this make-up is an imitation, simulating dimples. The ancients believed that the dimples on a woman's face would make her facial expression more lively, lively and lovely. Therefore, adding two red dots to imitate dimples will help charming and charming women move people.

Picture 2 of The secret of 2 red dots on the corner of the mouth of the Tang Dynasty concubine
The makeup steps of women in the Tang Dynasty were very sophisticated.

However, this makeup at that time also had another special function, which was the 'signal' between the emperor and his concubine. According to the regulations of the palace, concubines during menstruation are not allowed to serve the king because it can affect the fate of the country, if any concubine intentionally violates it, they will be beheaded. Therefore, when the concubine comes to her period, she will skillfully use makeup with 2 red dots on the corner of her mouth.

The female official in charge of this matter, when she sees that any concubine has a round dot on the face, she will not list that concubine's name in the list of the day's palace. Thanks to this, even without opening her mouth, the concubine could also announce that she could not serve the emperor's bedroom matters, discreetly, without offending, and disrespectful.

After that, this two-dot makeup style spread outside the forbidden palace, suddenly becoming a makeup trend loved by young women, since then gradually becoming a symbol of contemporary beauty. .

Picture 3 of The secret of 2 red dots on the corner of the mouth of the Tang Dynasty concubine
The drawing of 2 red dots on the corner of the mouth to deftly refuse to talk about "ma'am" with the emperor.

In addition to drawing 2 red dots on the corner of the mouth to deftly refuse to talk to the Emperor, some ancient concubines also thought of many other ways. For example, in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, concubines often hung red lanterns in front of their bows or wore red strings on their wrists to discreetly announce their menstrual periods to avoid being close to the Emperor.

However, there is also another way that the women in the Tang dynasty when "the month comes" will wear a gold ring on their hand. Wearing this gold ring also sends a message that it is impossible to "grace" and serve the Emperor. When looking at this ring, the Emperor will also understand that the woman is in her period. Even the Emperor asked about her health and allowed her to rest that night.

There was also a time when concubines chose to wear red-flap outfits as a way of sending the message behind. Each dynasty is different, the women in the palace will have different ways to implicitly report that they are in their menstrual period, the announcements are very hidden and delicate.