For centuries, humanity obsessed over one question long before ultrasounds, genetics, or modern medicine existed: boy or girl? Long before science provided answers, societies across the world turned to superstition, ritual, diet, and extreme physical interventions in an attempt to control a baby’s gender. These beliefs shaped royal policies, family fortunes, marriages, and even medical practices. We explore the strangest, most dramatic, and outright unbelievable methods people genuinely believed would influence the sex of their unborn child.
Timing Intercourse With the Moon, Winds, and Seasons
Many cultures believed the natural world governed conception outcomes.
- Full moons were thought to favor male children.
- Cold winds from the north symbolized strength and masculinity.
- Springtime conception was believed to increase the chances of having a boy.
- Winter conception allegedly favored girls.
Couples carefully tracked celestial patterns, weather conditions, and agricultural cycles before attempting conception.
Eating Specific Foods to “Seed” the Desired Gender
Dietary control was one of the most common methods across history.
- Salty, heavy foods like cured meats, bread crusts, and cheese were linked to boys.
- Sweet fruits and dairy were believed to produce girls.
- Bananas, parsley, figs, and wine were prescribed depending on regional lore.
Some medical texts instructed women to avoid entire food groups for months before conception.
Sleeping on a Specific Side of the Bed
Ancient Greek and Roman physicians believed body symmetry influenced reproduction.
- Sleeping on the right side favored male offspring.
- Sleeping on the left side increased the odds of a girl.
- Men were instructed to enter the bed from specific directions.
This belief persisted for centuries and appeared in medieval medical manuals.
Controlling Which Testicle Was “Used.”
One of the most extreme beliefs claimed that each testicle controlled a different gender.
- Right testicle = boy
- Left testicle = girl
Some men tied off or compressed one side before intercourse. Others were advised to ride horses in specific ways or wear constrictive garments to favor one side.
Rubbing the Body With Animal Fats and Oils
Women were often instructed to anoint their bodies with symbolic substances:
- Goose grease for fertility and strength
- Lion fat for male children
- Rabbit fat for speed and vitality
These rituals were believed to “prepare” the womb for the desired gender.
Position-Based Conception Techniques
Sexual positioning was heavily regulated by superstition.
- The man on top was thought to result in boys.
- The woman on top allegedly produced girls.
- Certain angles were avoided entirely.
Some manuals included diagrams and step-by-step instructions.
Avoiding Pleasure During Conception
Pleasure was believed to weaken masculine outcomes.
- Women were advised to remain passive.
- Emotional excitement was discouraged.
- Silence during intercourse was recommended.
The belief held that seriousness equaled strength.
Conclusion
While modern science has rendered these methods obsolete, their legacy remains visible in cultural traditions, sayings, and lingering beliefs. These practices reveal more about human fear, power, and societal pressure than biology itself.
History shows us one truth clearly: when science was absent, imagination filled the gap, often with astonishment
