omphalomancy
{{Short description|Method of divination}}
Omphalomancy is a method of divination used to determine an individual's character or fate by interpreting the size, shape and peculiarities of their navel (belly button).{{cite book|title=The Wiccan's Dictionary of Prophecy and Omens|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CxB2DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT88|page=88|first=Gerina|last=Dunwich|publisher=Citadel Press|date=2018|isbn=9780806539669}}
In Buddhist tradition, the shape of the navel is classified and associated with certain types of behaviour. In ancient Chinese culture this was developed into a science.{{cite book|title=Omphaloplasty: A Surgical Guide of the Umbilicus|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wwJ2DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA142|page=142|editor-first=William L.|editor-last=Murillo|publisher=Springer|date=2018|isbn=9783319643137}}
Omphalomancy is also used to determine the number of future children a mother may have, based on the number of knots in a child's umbilical cord{{cite book|title=The Fortune-Telling Book: The Encyclopedia of Divination and Soothsaying|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JvdVEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA344|page=344|first=Raymond|last=Buckland|publisher=Visible Ink Press|date=2003|isbn=9781578597932}} or the number of marks or bands on the navel.{{Cite web |title=Omphalomancy |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/omphalomancy |access-date=2023-12-08 |website=www.encyclopedia.com}}