two yr old birthday

[Sylvia]

Originally Posted by startlearn

I like the light you put on the face. Can you tell me how you do it?

That's easy. Select the lasso tool, feather around 40, hit Ctrl J (Cmd J on Mac) to place the selection on its own layer, Ctrl M (Cmd M on Mac) to open the Curves, click once on the middle of the graph and pull it up a bit. Hit OK, adjust the opacity if necessary and merge (Ctrl E / Cmd E on Mac).
Sylvia

[Major_Small]

Ya know, that's actually a good question... My family hasn't practiced it recently (I'm the first generation born in this country), but I have seen it in artwork... Looking around for answers, I can only find these two, but they sorta contradict each other:

...has a red spot painted on his forehead as protection against disease...

(Source)

In ancient China a small ceremony was held when a child was to begin learning Chinese characters. One of the most important procedures was to paint a spot of red cinnabar in the middle of the child’s forehead. This is also called ‘opening the heavenly eye’ symbolizing the wish for children to have a bright outlook on their studies.

(Source)

I believe, according to Tantric Buddhism, the space between the eyebrows is a place that coiled up energy is released. The bindi is to retain some of this energy, and help with concentration, in addition to providing luck and protection against demons and evil. Not too sure in this area though.

[startlearn]

Sylvia, thank you for your explanation.
Major-small, Thank you again. Those are interesting explanations. I also looked up on the web and only found the one related to bindi. Have a nice night. Now I have to go to work.

[Sylvia]

You're welcome, Startlearn. About the spot, can't you ask the person who put it on your son's forehead what it means?
Major_Small, interesting explanation.
Sylvia

[startlearn]

Sylvia, my mom put the spot on. I asked her and she only knows it is a old tradition and it means good thing, but no more than what Major-small can find on the internet.

[commongrackle]

I love the photo of your son. I hope that Major-Small was able to create the look you wanted. Thanks for sharing your photo!