Reddit user abidoang has drawn online attention after sharing a photograph of an unusual hourglass scar left on his neck after an insect encounter. The symmetrical mark formed months after the individual came into contact with a staphylinid beetle.
According to the author of the post, the beetle landed on his neck several months ago and triggered skin inflammation. As the injury healed over subsequent months, the resulting mark took on a distinct and symmetrical hourglass shape, prompting widespread discussion on the social media platform Reddit.
Staphylinid beetles, commonly known as rove beetles, belong to one of the largest families of beetles worldwide. Certain species within this family carry defensive chemicals such as pederin, a potent toxin contained in their hemolymph. When a beetle is crushed or brushed against human skin, contact with these secretions can trigger contact dermatitis, resulting in localized inflammation, redness, and blistering. As the affected tissue recovers, it can leave behind visible hyperpigmentation or scarring that lasts for months.
Pop culture comparisons and superhero jokes
The striking geometry of the scar amused online commenters, who quickly began sharing creative theories about its appearance. Some respondents compared the hourglass design to the logo of the American science fiction television series The X-Files, while others likened it to an emblem from The Witcher video game franchise, which was adapted from the series of fantasy novels of the same name. Other users remarked that the unusual marking gave the man the appearance of a comic book superhero.
In one popular response, a commenter writing under the username GoodTato joked that the man would now be forced to become a Time Lord or a similar sci-fi character.
The pop culture references cited by users reflect widely recognized icons in popular entertainment. The X-Files, created by Chris Carter in the 1990s, is famous for its paranormal themes and distinctive visual branding, while The Witcher features magical signs and symbols worn by monster hunters. The concept of a Time Lord originates from British science fiction television, where characters associated with time manipulation frequently feature hourglass imagery.
Historical symbols and medieval jokes
Other participants in the discussion offered even more imaginative interpretations of the scar. Some commenters labeled the mark a death mark, while others claimed it resembled the Brand of Sacrifice from the Japanese manga series Berserk. Additionally, several users suggested the shape mirrored the Gebo rune, an ancient Scandinavian runic symbol traditionally associated with gifts and generosity.
Another user remarked on the historical implications of carrying such a distinct symbol, stating that they could not imagine how the man would explain the mark if he lived in the Middle Ages. The commenter added that people during that era would have assumed the hourglass shape was the mark of Satan.
Runes were ancient alphabetic characters used by Germanic and Scandinavian peoples prior to the adoption of the Latin alphabet, with the Gebo rune symbolizing exchange, partnership, and divine gifts. Meanwhile, the manga series Berserk, created by author Kentaro Miura, prominently features branded symbols carved into characters who are marked by supernatural forces.
The viral post highlights the ongoing popularity of unexpected personal stories on Reddit, where users frequently share unusual physical occurrences and everyday coincidences. In a similar story previously shared on the platform, a female user described how sneezing while eating accidentally trained her puppy to run to her whenever she sneezes, in hopes of finding dropped treats on the floor.
