Linea NigraSouthern Pregnancy Folklore About Baby Gender
You'll hear folks determining boy or girl from that line these days, it's another common one. You'll hear folks determining boy or girl from that line these days, it's another common one. Origin
This superstition has been told in the South and Appalachia for generations, often by older women watching for signs of a baby’s gender. Variations of this belief are also common in Latin America, the Mediterranean, and beyond. While it isn’t unique to the South, Southerners adopted it and passed it down right alongside other pregnancy folklore like carrying high versus low or the wedding ring test.
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How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 7). Linea Nigra
Southern Pregnancy Folklore About Baby Gender . HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/folklore/linea-nigra-pregnancy-gender - MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Linea Nigra
Southern Pregnancy Folklore About Baby Gender ." HillbillySlang.com, 7 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/folklore/linea-nigra-pregnancy-gender. - Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Linea Nigra
Southern Pregnancy Folklore About Baby Gender ." HillbillySlang.com. October 7, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/folklore/linea-nigra-pregnancy-gender.
Dislaimer
What you're reading here is old Southern folklore and storytelling - not medical advice, and not meant to guide health, or pregnancy decisions (especially pregnancy decisions!). These tales are part of how folks once made sense of the world, passed down from grandparents and midwives.
If you have any medical questions or concerns, talk with a qualified healthcare professional.
Learn more on the Folklore hub page.