Most fans don’t know the origin of the 6 dots on Krillin’s forehead. Even those who watched Dragon Ball from its inception cannot explain the reason for these. The most that can be said is that they have been with him since his debut in the series. However, the true purpose of the dots is not explained in the story.
To discover the meaning of the 6 points on the forehead of Krillin we will have to take a look at the material that inspired the series of dragon ball. Many of the series’ settings, martial arts, plot, and ideologies are inspired by East Asian culture such as Japan, China, and India. Assuming this is the origin of Krillin’s spots, they are most likely the result of burns from “moxibustion“applied to Shaolin monks.
The moxibustion It was originally practiced in China as a form of alternative medicine. By burning mugwort incense (moxa) and applying it to the points of the meridians, it could be used to treat all kinds of illnesses and ailments. It was also used to stimulate blood flow and qi; in dragon ballthe latter is better known as Ki or energy.
There are various methods of moxibustion, both permanent and temporary. Permanent options involve applying moxa incense cones to a designated acupuncture point and burning it to leave a scar. Those who do not want to have scars can remove the moxa before permanent skin damage is done. In the case of Krillinprobably used the direct healing method.
Another use of moxibustion is that used by Buddhist or Shaolin monks. As part of their indoctrination, aspiring monks must have their heads shaved and their foreheads marked with these points. Krillin It originally comes from the Orin Temple, whose practitioners all resemble Shaolin monks.
Just as they shave their heads and dress like Shaolin monks, they too likely undergo moxibustion for similar reasons as their real-world counterparts.
The points They represent several things. First of all, they represent the Three Jewels: the Buddha, the Dharma (the teachings of the Buddha) and the Sangha (the disciples of the Buddha). They also represent the three vows a Buddhist must take: getting rid of bad habits, cultivating good thoughts, and accumulating wisdom.
Finally, the points represent the three main forms of training for Buddhists: morality and discipline, concentration and wisdom. In general, the points are supposed to represent the ideals and virtues of the monks.
The curious thing about Krillin is that, despite having the initial appearance of a Shaolin monk, he did not follow these principles very much. While the Shaolin monks reject earthly pleasures in pursuit of enlightenment, Krillin became a martial artist with the express intention of attracting women. He was also impatient, fighting dirty and always looking for shortcuts in his training with Master Roshi.
Although Krillin cannot be said to fully embody the apparent principles of his points, his development as a person cannot be questioned. Not only has he started to take his martial arts training seriously, but he is also a brave defender of Earth.