Cultural views on the navel Early Japanese poems feature many references to the female navel. In some, the word "navel" actually refers to an indentation or hole instead of the belly button. The shape of the umbilicus of a newborn baby would be discussed at length. If a baby's navel points downward, the parents would brace themselves for a weakling child who will bring them woe. The thunder god Raijin, with his terrifying drums, great horns, and long tusks, was said to have an insatiable appetite for young navels, and mothers had to nag their youngsters constantly to keep themselves well covered up. Due to
Cultural views on the navel allowed and what is not, instead of taking decisions according to their whims and fancies." Actor R. Madhavan commented, "I have often been embarrassed to see certain films I have done. ... when I see myself kissing a dancing heroine's navel in some films, I feel ashamed." Actress Taapsee Pannu commented, "I believe the navel is overrated. I think sensuality can be expressed in other ways." Bengali actress Swastika Mukherjee said, "I am not very comfortable though I have tried wearing a "lehenga choli" with a stick-on in my navel." Many actresses have opted to hide their navels by wearing