Is it possible to set the stacking order of pseudo-elements below their parent element? [duplicate]

Answer 1

I know this is an old thread, but I feel the need to post the proper answer. The actual answer to this question is that you need to create a new stacking context on the parent of the element with the pseudo element (and you actually have to give it a z-index, not just a position).

Like this:

#parent {
    position: relative;
    z-index: 1;
}
#pseudo-parent {
    position: absolute;
    /* no z-index allowed */
}
#pseudo-parent:after {
    position: absolute;
    top:0;
    z-index: -1;
}

It has nothing to do with using :before or :after pseudo elements.

#parent { position: relative; z-index: 1; }
#pseudo-parent { position: absolute; } /* no z-index required */
#pseudo-parent:after { position: absolute; z-index: -1; }

/* Example styling to illustrate */
#pseudo-parent { background: #d1d1d1; }
#pseudo-parent:after { margin-left: -3px; content: "M" }