If you mean the two small, symmetrical dimples on the lower back, just above the buttocks, they’re commonly called “dimples of Venus” (or posterior superior iliac spine dimples).
What do they mean?
- Normal anatomy: They are usually created by the shape and position of the pelvic bones—particularly the posterior superior iliac spines—combined with the way the skin and connective tissue attach there.
- Genetic/anatomical variation: Some people have them prominently, while others have barely visible or no dimples. Their appearance can also change with body fat, muscle development, age, and weight changes.
- Not a sign of fertility or sexual characteristics: Despite various claims online, the dimples do not reliably indicate fertility, sexual activity, personality, or attractiveness.
- Not necessarily related to fitness: They can be visible in people who are athletic, but having them doesn’t mean someone is particularly fit or has low body fat.
- Usually harmless: If the dimples are symmetrical, have been there for as long as you can remember, and aren’t associated with symptoms, they’re generally just a normal anatomical feature.
Why are they called “dimples of Venus”?
“Venus” refers to the Roman goddess traditionally associated with beauty. The term is informal and describes their appearance; it doesn’t have a medical significance.
When is a lower-back dimple worth checking?
A different type of indentation, especially a single midline dimple present from birth, can occasionally be a sacral dimple. Most sacral dimples are harmless, but medical evaluation is appropriate if a dimple is unusually deep or large, is located higher on the back, or is accompanied by a tuft of hair, skin discoloration, swelling, drainage, or neurological symptoms such as leg weakness or bladder/bowel problems.
If you mean the two symmetrical dimples above the buttocks, rather than a single dimple in the middle of the spine, they are almost certainly the normal anatomical “dimples of Venus.”