EXPERTS say that there is one body part that could be the biggest indicator of your personality – the belly button.
Here’s what we know.
Getty Here we look at what your belly button says about you[/caption]
While your belly button might not be a part of the body you show off very often, its significance shouldn’t be underestimated.
Whether you have an innie or an outie, this little hole can determine if you’ll be a good partner, and even how long you might live, experts say.
Your belly button is with you for life and the dent in your navel is determined by how the umbilical cord heals and scars, apparently, it says a lot about the type of person you are.
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It’s all down to the omphilomancy theory, which involves studying a person’s navel shape to identify personality traits.
This is a type of Chinese mythology, and people who believe in it say that your belly button shape can even predict how many children you’ll have.
Let’s just say if you’re after a big family, the deeper the better.
According to Berlin psychologist Dr Gerhard Reibmann, author of Centered: Understand Yourself through your Navel, you can also tell how long you’ll live by inspecting your navel.
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There are some medical conditions which could mean your belly button looks a bit strange, but the NHS says that this is mostly the case for children or young infants.
It states that an umbilical hernia occurs when an internal part of the body pushes through a weakness in the muscle or surrounding tissue wall.
The NHS states: “Umbilical hernias are very common in infants and young children, particularly in babies born prematurely.
“An umbilical hernia appears as a painless lump in or near the navel (belly button).
“It may get bigger when laughing, coughing, crying or going to the toilet and may shrink when relaxing or lying down.”
This usually corrects itself before a child’s first birthday.
While there’s no scientific evidence to support the idea that the shape of your belly button can predict your temperament or your lifespan, we certainly found these theories entertaining.
So if you’re an adult and you’re curious about what the size or shape of your belly button really means, then all you need to know is below.
Protruding Naval (aka an Outie)
Protruding Naval
This type is most common in infants and young children and as we grow – the belly button usually also changes – widening.
In youngsters, they are also known as an umbilical hernia and can sometimes look like a painless lump.
They can get bigger when laughing, coughing, crying, or going to the toilet.
A belly button that sticks out demonstrates a strong, extroverted, optimistic character, who is stubborn, a fan of the limelight, and perseveres to get what they want.
People who have an outie give their beliefs and opinions a great deal of thought and stick by them.
It takes them time to find a compatible partner, but once they do their relationship is expected to be a long one.
Average life expectancy: 72 years.
One woman previously revealed her protruding belly button and said people should be confident in themselves to show their body parts off.
Many women develop an outie after pregnancy and are opting for surgery to change it.
The plastic surgery procedure, known as umbilicoplasty, changes the size and shape of your navel by removing or stretching the surrounding skin.
It’s popular with new mums left with an “outie” postpartum; carrying a baby puts pressure on the area which then “pops” out in their final trimester.
Deep and round navel
Deep and round navel
Someone who has this type of belly button might appear as though they have a shadow under the fold of the belly button.
In some people, it can look like an open mouth and experts say this type is common in those who have excess abdominal fat.
This navel shape indicates a modest, even-tempered person with a big heart and a quiet, shy personality.
They don’t tend to tell loved ones and peers about their misfortunes in life.
Average life expectancy: 81 years.
One woman, who has a deep naval said that she avoids sex because of how deep it is.
Kara Hawley said her belly button had stretched so much during four pregnancies due to gaining and losing weight that it looked “gross.”
The woman, from Vancouver, Canada, was so self-conscious about her tum she didn’t want her ex-partner to see her naked or to be intimate with him.
Vertical/oblong navel
Vertical/oblong navel
This shape of navel is narrow and thin and apparently indicates a confident, generous and emotionally stable person.
Over the years many people have sought out this type of belly button -with some people even having cosmetic procedures to change the appearance of their belly button.
It was previously found that this is the most common belly button type.
A journal published in the Annals of Plastic Surgery made the discovery.
Average life expectancy: 75 years.
Horizontal navel
Horizontal navel
This belly button tends to spread sideways across the tummy and demonstrates a complex and emotional personality.
They don’t tend to give their trust to others right away, but if they do, it signals that person means a lot to them.
One of their principles in life is to treat others as they treat you.
It’s sometimes known as a T-type belly button.
It differs from a hollow belly button as the top portion of the skin nearly enough covers the opening.
Average life expectancy: 68 years.
Off-centre navel
Off-centre navel
This unusually-shaped navel indicates a fun-loving, unique personality prone to broad mood swings, often with heightened emotion.
Many pregnant women sometimes find that their belly button shifts slightly during pregnancy, as their stomach stretches.
Average life expectancy: 70 years.
Oval Shape
Oval shape belly button
An egg-shaped navel suggests a hyperactive and over-sensitive personality. Taking things too seriously can lead to them being easily hurt – and they often keep quiet about it.
They are impatient individuals and prone to getting bored quickly and easily.
Average life expectancy: 65 years.
We previously told how one husband’s giggling post about his wife’s pregnant belly button ended up revealing a medical condition.
Experts have previously warned that you shouldn’t suck your belly button in to give you the appearance of a flat stomach.
Pelvic Floor Expert Stephanie Taylor at Kegel8 said sucking in involves pulling your belly button inwards and upwards by contracting the top abdominals.
This may seem completely normal given how many women do it, but if you do this for too long it can have both physical and mental impacts.
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She said this includes issues with your pelvic floor and she said it can also put a strain on your neck and your back.
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