Why Indian Women wear Bindi?

ॐ Hindu Of Universe ॐ
“God’s light is within you, It never leaves you.”

Why do Indian women wear Bindi

I have seen many foreigners wondering as to why do Indian women put a Bindi (dot as they call it) on their forehead? Bindi is traditionally worn on the forehead (commonly by Hindu women), right between the eyebrows. It was considered mandatory for all Hindu married women, but with the changing times and traditions, women in urban cities like to put Bindi as per their desire and liking or most of the times just give it a skip; not to forget that this generally doesn’t go well with a western outfit. In rural areas Bindi is still considered to be a ‘must’ for all married women. Bindi, though is worn even by girls and unmarried women as an accessory being part of a dress. Recently some international celebrities have also been in news for wearing a Bindi.

Bindi has been constantly changing its Nature with times. Traditionally only Kumkum, Chandan or ash was used for applying a Bindi. Kumkum was prepared by adding lime to the turmeric. Due to its natural ingredients, the mixture is considered to be helpful in headaches while the colour red helps retain positive energy of the body. Chandan has always been known for its cooling properties and its benefits on the skin. Ash has all the aforementioned benefits along with the positive influence of the material that is burnt to result in ash.

With the changing times, slowly liquid bindi with different colours and shades came into market. During my childhood, I saw my mother applying bindi with a lipstick as well. Now the Bindis can be found of varied shapes, sizes, colours and designs. For the ease of application, the Bindis come with no-fuss self-sticking adhesives so one can simply peel it off from the sticker and apply. Simple as that!

Most of the Indian traditions have had some scientific significance also. Same goes for Bindi as well. In Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, a bindi is associated with the Anjana chakra popularly known as the third eye chakra. This is the sixth primary Chakra, or energy point in the body, according to Hindu tradition, and signifies conscience. It is believed that when this spot is stimulated it helps a person in a number of ways including making you calmer and helping beat anxiety. It is said to retain energy and strengthen concentration. It also stimulates the Bindu (point where the bindi is put) which in turn stimulates the muscles of the face and increases blood flow resulting in nourished skin and less wrinkles. Massaging of the Bindu also helps in reducing fine lines between the eyebrows, insomnia due to its calming effect as also beneficial for the muscles of your eyes.

Bindi has also been associated with the feminine power of God. Women often offer Bindis along with other offering to the various forms of Goddesses to seek their blessings for a long and happy married life.

Now that you know that the Bindi does not necessarily has to be worn by only Hindu married women, go ahead, get some beautiful Bindis to enhance your beauty or for just a style statement.

The Importance of Sindoor and Bindi (Dot)

Hindu women are acquainted with the words ‘sindoor’ and ‘bindi’ and the relative importance of these markings in their lives. This article explores what these two terms are and familiarises readers with their significance and application. An important section of Hindu marriage rituals is the ‘sindoor dana’ ceremony, the moment when the bridegroom applies sindoor at the parting of the bride’s hair, also known as the bride’s maang.

This red/orange red powder is first applied at this moment and thereafter the bride is expected to apply it daily. However, this tradition is not followed strictly by all Hindu brides today. For many Hindu brides, this is just a symbolic wedding ritual that is not repeated. The sindoor is safely stored, however.

 

Symbolism of Sindoor

The bright red colour of the sindoor symbolizes the energy and passion of married life. It is also believed that its application in the parting of the hair symbolizes the red river of life. In India, in the state of Bihar, the colour of sindoor is more orange than red. The application of sindoor is a tradition that goes back to thousands of years. Even female figurines excavated from the Harappan caves are seen with traces of sindoor.

There are different ways in which sindoor is applied by married women. While some apply it all along the parting of their hair, others apply only a tiny dot at the point where the parting of their hair meets the forehead. Some even use a sindoor paste instead of powder. It is believed that with the application of sindoor, women hope for the longevity of their husband’s life.

Consequently, when a woman is widowed her sindoor is removed. This is usually done by her mother-in-law or her sister-in-law. Along with this, the woman has to remove other symbols of her marital status such as her bangles, nose ring, toe ring and so on.

 

Symbolism of Bindi (Dot)

Another item of dressing that was originally worn only by married women is the bindi or dot. The word bindi comes from the Sanskrit word ‘bindu’, meaning dot. While sindoor is worn by married ladies alone, bindis are worn by both married and unmarried women today.

Traditionally, bindis were made of vermillion and were a deep red or maroon in colour. It took considerable expertise to create the perfect round dot on the forehead. However, over the years, bindis have become great decorative ornaments and nowadays they are available in various colours, shapes, sizes and with shiny stones in them. The most popular bindis today are the sticker/adhesive bindis made of felt. These are disposable and can be stuck to the forehead.

In recent years, sporting a bindi is akin to a fashion statement and nowadays it is worn by people belonging to different religions, residing in different regions of the world. The placement of the bindi is of some importance. It is placed on the forehead between the two eyebrows and this unique positioning of the bindi is believed to be at the sixth chakra or the ajna, an area of concealed wisdom. This gives energy and promotes the concentration powers of the wearer. It is also believed that the bindi acts as a protector of the wearer.

 

The Origin:

As we’ve said before, bindi was worn by Hindu and Jain women only at some point. Previously, bindi wasn’t available in the many designs we see now. The women used to wear a red dot in between their eyebrows. The term ‘bindi’ itself comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Bindu’ that means a drop. There are other names for it as well. You will find people referring to as Kumkum, Tikli, Sindoor, Teep, or Bottu.

We don’t know for sure for how many years the women are using bindi, but scholars have found scriptures dating back to the 3000 BC that talks about bindi. These scriptures are written by the ancient Hindu seers, also known as the Rishi-muni, and they talk about the religious and spiritual significance of the bindi.

Significance of a Bindi:

The significance of it? Well, there are a few. A common tradition was that a married woman must wear a bindi as it resembled her marital ties. Then again, if a woman becomes widowed due to some unfortunate event, she is prohibited from wearing a bindi.

Then again, there is another cultural significance of a bindi as well. When a woman gets married, she is adorned with a bindi. This is a sign that she became the guardian of a family’s welfare, which is respected highly in the Hindu community. The bindi acts as a visual aid that signifies that the wearer is in charge of the welfare of a certain family and that she’s married.

This was the cultural significance. However, there are more to a bindi than that. There are tons of spiritual and religious significance to it, and now we’ll take a look at those.

The Nasadiya Sukta of the Rig Veda is one of the earliest Vedic and Sanskrit texts, and we find the mention of Bindu in those texts. According to the Vedic scriptures, the point in the middle of our eyebrows is the seat of wisdom. This point is also called Ajna, or the sixth chakra. Chakras are healing centers of our body. If you put a bindi at this place, it will help you retain the concentration and strength of that point.

The middle point between our eyebrows is also known as the third eye. The Ajna is symbolized with two petals of a sacred lotus. It’s also thought that at this point the Nadi Ida and the Pingala terminate. Then again, they merge with Sushumna at this point, which is also known as the central channel, which is why it’s also thought that this point signifies the end of duality.

Bindu is also a significant thing in metaphysics. According to metaphysics, bindi is the sacred symbol of the cosmos, but in an unmanifested state. Then again, it’s also thought that at this point, the universe was created, and at this point will it meet again in unity. It’s also thought that the Mandalas or the realms were created surrounding the bindi.

It’s also said that ajna deals with intuition. It deals with visual consciousness, as well as clarity. The role of the bindi is to enhance the power of this chakra.

Why do we wear a Bindi?

What is the true meaning behind a Bindi?Being Indian, I get asked that a lot, and I usually just say it was to differentiate Hindu’s back in the day  or it started with married women and now its fashion for all women. However I really began to ponder upon this question, and then decided to do some real research on it. With society growing and changing so rapidly, for some people, the purpose and meaning behind Bindi’s has changed, and for some it will always remain the same. 

According to an article written by Ram Lingam from the IndiaWest Paper, ” The area where the bindi is positioned is said to be the location of the subtle spiritual eye in the language of yoga, which is said to be the major nerve center in the human body.” 

“When an Indian woman decorates her forehead with sindoor or bindi, she is just following a tradition that goes back at least 5,000 years. “ “The term “Bindi” is from the Sanskrit  word Bindu meaning dot ” the first type or reason Indian Women wear a Bindi is to symbolize a married women

There are many types of Bindi’s; one is vermillion, which is used predominantly for married women.  Vermillion is a red powder ,when applied to the center of the forehead at the parting, signifies “ One’s commitment, good fortune, one is united with one’s husband and he is your soul mate” ( Das) . At the time of marriage, one of the final steps is when the husband applies vermillion on the wife’s forehead, this symbolizes a married women, and every day after the wedding day the husband is supposed to apply vermillion the same way.

 In addition to the vermillion, the married women is supposed to sport a red bindi as well, typically for daily wear it would be the large circular one, but on occasion women also wear the fancy ones.

 It would almost be considered a sin if a married Indian woman does not wear a Bindi and Vermillion. Although now that Indians have spread out over the world, women do not always adorn themselves with a bindi or vermillion daily. However with traditional clothes they are generally expected to as part of the attire.

 Although Vermillion or Sindhoor is for married women, unmarried women and young girls also wear Bindi’s 

Traditionally the married women wear the red bindi’s, while the unmarried girls will wear colored ones ; now this tradition has started to fade in some parts of India with various influences.   While the married women will wear the vermilion at the parting of their hair, the unmarried girls will put the same substance but just as a dot on their forehead, until they are married they are not allowed to wear it at the parting.

 While earlier it was solely for Hindu women, now women of all religions will adorn a bindi when they wear the traditional Indian/eastern outfit. Now Bindi’s come in all different colors and sizes and are sold in stores as fashion jewelry and are decorated.

Bindi’s have a special meaning for every person. Some women see it as their symbol of marriage, while for some it’s a fashion item. For some it’s a mandatory part of their look and who they are, for some it’s not as important. It’s interesting to see the diversity among Indians and to observe the different aspects of culture people choose to keep by what it means to them.

But now the question is, as the Indian society modernizes Globally,  is this 5000 year old tradition going to fade out of Indian culture? 

The Bindi: Tracing The History Of Our Most Iconic Fashion Accessory

The bindi, also known as tikli, is a decorative mark worn in the middle of the forehead. While it was traditionally worn by Hindu women and was often indicative of their caste, religion and marital status, it has been a global phenomenon for a while –– it has been worn by Hollywood celebrities from Madonna to Miley Cyrus. While the cultural appropriation conversation of the bindi is for another time, have you ever wondered how the bindi was worn when you couldn’t stick it to your forehead? We did, and delved right into a well of archives to glean some insight into the vintage world of the bindi.

The word bindi is believed to have its origin in ancient Sanskrit texts on face decoration and also has spiritual implications of being the point of unity of the cosmos in ancient Hindu philosophy. The traditional material used for the bindi were vermilion, sandalwood and ash.

Digging its history was a tough task and once the internet failed, I turned to my 75-year old grandmother for some bindi wisdom. According to her, in the 20th Century, the most common way to get the bindi to stick to your forehead was to apply a bit vaseline or any other wax-like cream in a circular form on the forehead that would act as glue for the vermillion. If your sense of geometry wasn’t too great and wonky looking circular bindis were not your style, you could always trace the perfect bindi on your forehead with bindi paper cutouts of various shapes and designs available in the market.

The wealthy also wore gold bindis with intricate meena work and glass bindis which were stuck to the forehead with lac or locally known glue raal. They could be easily removed from the forehead when needed and caused no damage to the skin.

After the bindi broke out of the rigid barriers of tradition, however, it decided to create some standard trends. These are some of the popular ones that caught our eye.

I. The Tiny Red Bindi

This urban trend popped up during the 1930s and 1940s and appealed to the new modern woman of India in an amalgamation of chic and traditional. Many style icons of the time like Maharani Gayatri Devi and pioneer of 20th century modern Indian art, Amrita Sher-Gil, sported this look.

II. The Decorative Bindi

In the 1950s, the bindi was bored of being a mundane dot and it became more experimental by appearing in decorative designs mostly popularised by actresses of the Indian film industry.

III. The Tilaka Bindi

The feminine decorative bindi took on the bold design of the Tilaka; the elongated forehead mark in the 1950s and 1960s.

While the bindi was making waves in fashion trends, women were also looking for an easier way to apply it. Out came Shingar kumkum –– a liquid form of kumkum, that would dry on the forehead like a bindi. And it’s still around today!

But between the lac bindis of the early 20th century and the felt bindis of today, there was also the age of the plastic stick-on bindi. Made of stiff but pliable plastic, it had a bright and smooth surface and came in more than a few colours.

Then, in 1986, after years of dealing with sticky gum or perspiration that would ruin a perfect circle came Shilpa Bindis; the first brand in India to introduce easy-to-use stick-on bindis punched from imported maroon felt, with glue that didn’t stain skin! After that, the bindi exploded into an industry that produced it in every shape, size, texture, embellishment and colour. From matte, pastel, neon, drop-shaped, laser-cut, tiny, oversized and outrageous, the bindi became a timeless fashion icon like no other.

Why do Indian Women Wear Bindi On Their Forehead?

The Sacred Importance of Bindi

Bindi is a piece of jewelry that represents a dot, and it’s worn on the forehead of people between their eyebrows. Although bindi is a fashion trend nowadays, and many people find it exotic, that wasn’t the case before.

Bindi was originally worn by South Asian women, specifically the Hindu and Jain women. As it’s worn due to fashion nowadays, a lot of people don’t even think that there could be any other significance to this. However, the bindi has deep cultural, religious, and spiritual ties, and today we’ll talk about those.

The Origin:

As we’ve said before, bindi was worn by Hindu and Jain women only at some point. Previously, bindi wasn’t available in the many designs we see now. The women used to wear a red dot in between their eyebrows. The term ‘bindi’ itself comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Bindu’ that means a drop. There are other names for it as well. You will find people referring to as Kumkum, Tikli, Sindoor, Teep, or Bottu.

We don’t know for sure for how many years the women are using bindi, but scholars have found scriptures dating back to the 3000 BC that talks about bindi. These scriptures are written by the ancient Hindu seers, also known as the Rishi-muni, and they talk about the religious and spiritual significance of the bindi.

Significance of a Bindi:

The significance of it? Well, there are a few. A common tradition was that a married woman must wear a bindi as it resembled her marital ties. Then again, if a woman becomes widowed due to some unfortunate event, she is prohibited from wearing a bindi.

Then again, there is another cultural significance of a bindi as well. When a woman gets married, she is adorned with a bindi. This is a sign that she became the guardian of a family’s welfare, which is respected highly in the Hindu community. The bindi acts as a visual aid that signifies that the wearer is in charge of the welfare of a certain family and that she’s married.

This was the cultural significance. However, there are more to a bindi than that. There are tons of spiritual and religious significance to it, and now we’ll take a look at those.

The Nasadiya Sukta of the Rig Veda is one of the earliest Vedic and Sanskrit texts, and we find the mention of Bindu in those texts. According to the Vedic scriptures, the point in the middle of our eyebrows is the seat of wisdom. This point is also called Ajna, or the sixth chakra. Chakras are healing centers of our body. If you put a bindi at this place, it will help you retain the concentration and strength of that point.

The middle point between our eyebrows is also known as the third eye. The Ajna is symbolized with two petals of a sacred lotus. It’s also thought that at this point the Nadi Ida and the Pingala terminate. Then again, they merge with Sushumna at this point, which is also known as the central channel, which is why it’s also thought that this point signifies the end of duality.

Bindu is also a significant thing in metaphysics. According to metaphysics, bindi is the sacred symbol of the cosmos, but in an unmanifested state. Then again, it’s also thought that at this point, the universe was created, and at this point will it meet again in unity. It’s also thought that the Mandalas or the realms were created surrounding the bindi.

It’s also said that ajna deals with intuition. It deals with visual consciousness, as well as clarity. The role of the bindi is to enhance the power of this chakra.

Thus, we can understand that wearing a bindi can provide clarity to one’s life. Then again, it allows one to access her inner wisdom. As the ajna is related to intuition, the bindi also allows a person to perceive things that aren’t there but is likely to happen.

According to some experts, while our physical eyes were designed to help us witness the world, our ajna, or our third eye was meant to help us see god. Wearing a bindi can help us do so in a better manner.

Then again, there are blood sacrifices in different religions, including Hinduism. In such events of blood sacrifice, the blood of the sacrifice is worn as a bindi.

Modern Use of the Bindi:

As you can see, there are tons of different significances of the bindi. However, there are many people who wear bindi unknowingly, and this is not a positive occurrence.

A bindi holds great meaning in the lives who believe in it. However, recently we observe a growing trend of wearing bindi by those who aren’t Hindu or don’t understand or respect its significance. They wear it only because it makes them look exotic.

This action is very irresponsible and ignorant, as it does nothing but to disrespect those women who are wearing it out of faith. Fashion and trend are okay, but there are certain limits that should never be crossed.

In a recent event, Selena Gomez had worn a bindi on stage while she was dancing to some of her songs. It’s evident that she knew nothing about the significance of it and was wearing it only because it made her look exotic.

Then again, there are people who not only accept this, but they praise it as well. For example, after the performance of Selena Gomez that has been criticized by the religious gurus, Priyanka Chopra, an Indian actress, praised it by saying that Selena has embraced the Indian culture.

Conclusion:

Bindi holds a deep and special significance in the lives of many women, and it shouldn’t be used in a manner that would rather disrespect it. If someone disrespects a bindi, he or she is disrespecting the entire population of women who are wearing it with true faith.

What is a Bindi? Importance of Bindi?

What is a Bindi?

The mark is known as a bindi. The term “bindi” stems from the Sanskrit word bindu, which means drop or particle, also called Kumkum, Sindoor, Teep, Tikli and Bottu.

Why do many Hindus wear a dot near the middle of their forehead?

It’s common to see women wearing a small dot on their foreheads between their eyebrows.
The bindi is traditionally worn by women for religious purposes or to indicate that they’re married.But today the bindi has also become popular among women of all ages, as a beauty mark. And it comes in all colours, shapes and sizes. Indeed, many Hollywood celebrities have begun wearing the bindi as a fashion statement.

What’s the history behind the bindi?

The holy scriptures called the Vedas were written around 5,000 years ago, in which they described the existence of areas of concentrated energy called the chakras.
There are seven main chakras that run along the center of the body, and the sixth one called “third eye chakra” occurs exactly where the bindi is placed. Thus, the bindi’s purpose is to enhance the powers of this chakra.

The benefit of wearing Bindi

Before marriage, women wear Bindi for beauty but after marriage according to Hindu culture. It is considered necessary for them. Bindi is placed between the eyebrows. At this place, there is ‘aagya chakra’. ‘Agya chakra’ help us to concentrate our mind. It is said that women think on many thanks at a time because of this their mind does not remain stable as well as stress increases. To wear Bindi calms the mind of women. Stress is reduced and the mind is controlled. 

Get rid from wrinkles-

Applying bindi increases blood flow to the facial muscles and reduces wrinkles.

Indian tradition of wearing bindi-

To wear bindi is a tradition in Hinduism. For any married woman, her ‘Solah Singar’ is incomplete until she does not wear Bindi on her forehead. For married (Suhagan) women Bindi is a sign of their beauty and Suhaag. 

Relief from headache-

According to acupressure if you have headache, massage at this place (between eyebrows) you will get instant relief. Applying Bindi between the two eyebrows gives relief to the blood cells and relieves headache.

For good sleep –

In Ayurveda the place between two eyebrows where the Bindi is placed is considered important for mental peace. Along with this, it is also important to relieve mental stress and sleep well.

Hearing ability-

The nerves related to ears also passed through the place where the Bindi is placed. Applying stress properly on this place enhance hearing ability.

Red-coloured

bindis, also serves as an auspicious sign of marriage. As the Hindu bride steps over the threshold of her husband’s home, her red bindi is believed to usher in prosperity in her new home. As such, when a woman is widowed, she no longer wears a red bindi due to its association with marriage.

Red powder Tika

is always put on the forehead of people visiting temples or during religious ceremonies, as a blessing. In addition to the simple dot, there are many types of forehead marks, known as tilaka in Sanskrit. Even men wear tikka, made with white clay on their forehead. Each mark represents a particular sect or denomination of our vast religion.Why Do Indian Women Wear Bindi? Unraveling The Meanings

The enigmatic bindi, the tiny dot splashed on the forehead, is more than just a decorative bindi for Indian women – it carries many meanings and purposes. While the aesthetic appeal and fashion trends prompt some women to don the bindi, for others, it signifies much more.

The bindi has been a religious symbol connecting women to the divine for centuries. The bindi represents intuition, wisdom, and spiritual power as a third eye. It denotes transcendence from the material world through this all-seeing eye.

Even today, many women wear the bindi as a sign of devotion and faith, seeking protection from the goddess Lakshmi.

Beyond religious purposes, the bindi is a cultural identifier for Indian women. Depending on the color, shape, and materials, it indicates marital status, social standing, and occasion. Women flaunt the bindi with pride, connecting to their cultural roots and traditions.

As aesthetic appeal and globalization spread the bindi beyond Indian borders, its meaning has diversified. Today, the funky dot on a woman’s forehead may indicate artistic expression, reimagining culture, and personal style.

Whatever meaning each woman ascribes to her bindi – devotion, identity, fashion, or self-expression – this tiny but significant symbol empowers women by boosting confidence, creativity, and connection to the divine, culture, and self.

Here we go with one by one profound explanation of why Indian women wear a bindi.

Why do Indian women wear bindi?

Religious significance

Indian women have worn bindi for centuries for its deep religious and cultural significance. The bindi symbolizes the Ajna or “third eye” chakra, the seat of wisdom and enlightenment. According to Hindu belief, wearing a bindi helps open this third eye and bring one closer to spiritual awakening.

The bindi is also related to the Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. Parvati is often depicted wearing a bindi, which is seen as a sign of her powers. By wearing a bindi, Hindu women show their devotion to Parvati and seek her blessings.

Beyond religion, the bindi is an important part of Indian culture. It indicates a woman’s marital status – traditionally a married woman wears a red bindi while a single woman opts for black or white.

Even today, the bindi has become more of a fashion statement, though it retains its traditional role for many women.

Small and ornate bindi has been part of a woman’s attire for centuries in India. The simple black dot between the eyebrows symbolizes an inner spiritual vision, while the large decorative bindis indicate joy, beauty, and cultural pride.

For most Indian women, the bindi is not just cosmetic but carries deep religious significance and cultural identity.

Traditional and cultural significance

Indian women have worn bindi for thousands of years as an essential part of their traditional attire. The bindi spotlights Indian womanhood and identity.

The bindi shows marital and social status. A married woman typically wears a red bindi, while a single woman opts for black or white. Larger bindis signify high social status.

The bindi is related to the goddess Lakshmi, who is often depicted with a third eye. Wearing a bindi brings blessings from Lakshmi and good luck.

For centuries, the bindi has allowed Indian women to exhibit their culture and tradition. Even when bindis became fashionable for women of all backgrounds, they sustained importance for many Indian women.

Bindis appear in various colors, shapes, and sizes, but the simple black dot between the eyebrows symbolizes inner vision. Ornate, decorative bindis denote beauty, joy, and pride.

For Indian women, bindis are not just decorative – they hold deep religious and cultural significance. Bindis establish one’s womanhood and identity as Indian.

Married women wear red bindis, signifying their commitment and love for their husbands. The bindi spotlights a woman’s status in society and success in life. Despite trends, bindis remain a badge of Indian culture.

Aesthetic reasons

Indian women wear bindis for various reasons, but the aesthetic appeal is a major factor. Bindis come in diverse shapes, sizes, and colors, allowing women to find ones that complement their beauty and personality.

The simplicity yet elegance of the bindi design makes it an appealing accessory. Whether small and modest or large and ornate, bindis add charm and grace to a woman’s face. The dot in the center of the forehead draws attention to the eyes, highlighting a woman’s beauty.

Bindis are versatile – they match well with both traditional and Western outfits. A large decorative bindi enhances the look of an Indian saree, while a small dot-shaped bindi gives a touch of ethnic flair to a casual ensemble.

The right bindi completes a woman’s overall appearance, bringing visual balance and harmony.

Bindis serve as canvases for a woman’s creativity. They come decorated with embellishments like beads, stones, and embroidery, allowing women to find unique designs that express their individuality.

Women enjoy experimenting with different bindi shapes, sizes, colors, and materials to match their mood and outfit of the day.

Though bindis hold religious and cultural significance for many Indian women, aesthetic appeal remains a major factor in their popularity.

The decorative dot perfectly accentuates a woman’s facial features, highlighting her femininity and grace. Bindis empower women to feel confident and beautiful by simply adorning themselves with these beautiful yet simple art pieces.

Practical use

Indian women have been wearing the bindi for centuries, and in ancient times it served practical purposes in addition to its religious and cultural significance.

The bindi was traditionally made of ingredients like sandalwood and turmeric powder with antiseptic and medicinal properties. These helped protect the forehead from heat, sweat, and infection. The paste from sandalwood and turmeric acted as a disinfectant for the skin on the forehead.

Bindis made with sandalwood and turmeric powder were believed to relieve headaches and reduce inflammation. These ingredients have antioxidant properties that protect the skin from damage.

The bindi also had protective functions. It was seen as a way to ward off evil spirits and protect oneself from harm. Since it was applied to the ajna or “third eye” chakra, wearing a bindi was thought to improve intuition and increase spiritual awareness.

Although the bindi is no longer as commonly used for its practical benefits as it once was, it retains its meaning as a symbol of tradition and culture for Indian women. Today the bindi is more of a fashion accessory, but it signifies much more for many women.

The bindi is a versatile symbol with diverse purposes – practical, protective, religious, and aesthetic. For centuries, it has been an essential part of an Indian woman’s attire, accentuating her beauty while safeguarding her health, spirituality, and cultural identity.

Auspicious reasons

Indian women wear bindis for many reasons, but one key reason is their auspicious and lucky symbolism.

The bindi is seen as an auspicious symbol that brings good fortune and wards off evil spirits in some parts of India. It is worn as a way to seek blessings and protection.

Red bindis, in particular, are considered lucky since Hindu gods and goddesses favor the color red. Wearing a red bindi invokes the blessings of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and fortune.

Hindu women often wear a bindi during auspicious occasions and rituals to increase the sense of sanctity. The bindi is applied on the 6th chakra, known as the “third eye”, the center of intuition and spirituality.

Wearing a bindi during important events is thought to enhance one’s focus and raise spiritual awareness.

The bindi also serves as a daily reminder for Hindu women to center their thoughts on God. Wearing a bindi daily helps them recognize their higher purpose and seek divine blessings.

While many women wear bindis as a fashion statement today, the auspicious symbolism cannot be downplayed. For centuries, the bindi has brought luck, blessings, and protection to Hindu women.

Though aesthetic appeal may compel some women to don a bindi, others wear theirs to strengthen their spiritual connections and imbibe positive energy.

The bindi is a versatile symbol with multiple meanings and functions. For many Hindu women, the bindi remains an auspicious symbol that wards off evil and attracts good fortune through spiritual connection, ritual sanctity, and divine blessings.

Fashion reasons

The bindi has become increasingly popular as a fashion accessory in recent years, and women of various faiths and cultures now wear bindis to express their personal style.

Bindis come in different shapes, sizes, colors, and embellishments, allowing women to find ones that complement their outfits and personalities. Glitter, stone studded, and delicate kundan bindis have become fashion trends, adding glamour to Indian and Western looks.

Bindis allow women to experiment with diverse designs and patterns according to their mood and occasion. Large and ornate bindis make a style statement at weddings and parties, while small and simple bindis can be worn for casual everyday wear.

By decorating their bindi, women express their creativity and individuality through personal adornment.

Women enjoy wearing matching bindis with other hair accessories and jewelry to create an aesthetically pleasing coordinated look. Bindis add visual balance to an outfit and highlight facial features like the eyes, emphasizing a woman’s natural beauty.

While the bindi originally held religious and cultural significance for Indian women, it has evolved into an international fashion icon.

Though women of all faiths and cultures now wear bindis as a fashion accessory, it is important to respect the cultural significance of the bindi for millions of Indian women. Bindis should foster diversity and individual expression rather than cultural appropriation.

The bindi is a versatile accessory that allows women to demonstrate their style through self-expression and creative adornment. As a fashion trend, the bindi remains faithful to its origins while empowering women to flaunt their style confidently.

Regional differences

The style and design of the bindi vary across different regions of India, reflecting each region’s diverse customs and traditions. The vast array of bindi designs adds color and depth to Indian culture.

Different states use distinct materials and shapes to create their signature bindi style. In Maharashtra, bindis are typically made from a red kumkum powder and worn in round shapes, though triangles and moon shapes are also common.

In Rajasthan, bindis are often crafted from black kajal and worn as small dots. Women in Bengal prefer white chandan-based bindis in circular, lotus, or star designs. Meanwhile, bindis in Tamil Nadu typically feature yellow turmeric and are shaped like flowers or the sun.

Bindi designs also differ according to the occasion. Festive occasions like Diwali call for elaborate designs featuring beads and stones, while simple black or red dots suffice for everyday wear.

Brides in each state showcase regional bridal bindi art, featuring decorative motifs ranging from alpanas in Bengal to matha pittas in Tamil Nadu.

The vibrant array of bindi styles demonstrates how local customs and traditions shape this universal symbol. Each state gives the bindi a unique identity that reflects its cultural heritage. Bindis made from different natural pigments allow women to express their regional identity through subtle variations in color and shape.

The vast diversity of bindi designs across India exemplifies how local influences imbue universal symbols with distinct meanings.

While simultaneously embodying universal ideals of femininity, womanhood, and culture, the bindi assumes different forms to resonate with individual regions’ social and aesthetic sensibilities. Its beautiful diversity reflects the rich mosaic of Indian culture.

Summary

The small and colorful bindi symbolizes much more than just beauty for Indian women – it signifies religious beliefs, cultural identity, self-expression, and empowerment.

For centuries, the bindi has connected women spiritually as a sign of the third eye linking them to the divine. Indian women proudly wear the bindi, expressing their cultural identity and marital status in its colors, shapes, and materials.

The bindi allows women to showcase their individuality through aesthetic self-adornment while remaining faithful to its religious and cultural origins.

Ultimately, the bindi, in its versatile forms and functions, empowers women by boosting their spiritual, cultural, and personal connections, enabling self-confidence and creativity through established traditions.

The Complete Guide on the Bindi

The bindi, which has been representing wisdom and concentration for centuries, is something we simply distinguish as the dot on the forehead of Indian women. That said, what does it really mean? Is the famous Indian red dot still mandatory in 2021? Let’s take a closer look at the bindi origin and its meaning below.

What’s the origin of the Bindi?

The bindi comes in different names: the Third Eye, the tikli, or sometimes in the western world, the red dot. However, it’s important to note that the bindi comes in many colors, shapes, and forms. The latter is not always red.

The word bindi comes from ancient Sanskrit texts on face decoration and has been worn by Hindu women since the 3rd and 4th centuries. This mark on the forehead was traditionally used for 2 main reasons:

1. For religion purposes
2. To indicate that she is married

Nowadays, however, the bindi has become for many women of all ages a way to decorate the forehead, without necessarily meaning that they are married and whatnot. Moreover, even some Hollywood celebrities have worn the bindi such as Miley Cyrus and Madonna.

What’s the Bindi meaning?

The bindi has always been primarily used for the marital status of a woman. A red dot on the forehead signifies that the woman is married, but if a woman is widowed, she would replace the red dot with a black one.

Furthermore, the bindi has many other meanings and can represent wisdom, honor, love, and even in some cases, wealth. Some women coming from wealthy families would wear fancier bindis to represent their wealth.

Is it mandatory to wear the Bindi for Indian women?

This depends on the cultural background of the family, as some women need to wear the bindi, while many others don’t. For example, in Gujarat, Maharashtra, or Punjab, women can choose from their free will if they want to wear the bindi or not. However, in Bihar, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, married women are obligated to wear the bindi. Finally, please note that even if they are obligated to do so, many unmarried women also wear the famous mark.

How to wear the Bindi?

First and foremost, the material used for the bindi can vary depending on the culture, but the main options remain as follows:

• Vermilion
• Sandalwood
• Ash
• Lac
• Aguru
• Mica
• Kasturi
• Red turmeric
• Saffron
• Sindoor
• Ground with safflower

While some of these only need one to draw the dot on the forehead, others need to be applied on the latter with the help of wax-like material such as vaseline for example. Several other products can be used to stick the bindi dot on the forehead, such as eyelash glue, skin glue, or bindi kit glue. As an extra note, know that you can buy ready to use bindis and that if you do, they come with their own sticky surfaces. However, you have to be careful to not miss your shot the first time, because the stickiness will wear out if you try to stick it more than once.

Who can wear the Bindi?

Some people might think that only Hindus can wear the bindi, but actually, the bindi is strongly associated with Ajna Chakra and Bindu in not only Hinduism but also in Buddhism and Jainism. Nowadays, some men will also wear the bindi during a celebration, but it is still very much a woman tradition. That said, more and more people decide to wear the bindi as a decoration that fits with their clothes, as it has fewer restrictions than before.

Do Indians put a Bindi on their forehead for health reasons?

A few years ago, The Life Saving Dot organization created a bindi dot that provides nutrients to the body. By using an iodine solution, the Life Saving Dot provides micronutrients that are very useful, especially for pregnant women who need a balanced amount of thyroid hormone, which is created with iodine. A lack of the latter can cause serious issues for the fetus, such as mental problems or other deficiencies. Talk about a new life meaning!

Who still wears the Bindi ?

We are not going to lie, since the bindi is not as mandatory as before, fewer women wear it these days. That is not to say that the bindi is obsolete, but its religious and marital status purposes are not as prominent as before. It doesn’t help also that many westerners are wearing it as a fashion thing, which can be seen as inappropriate or even offensive for some people.

Cultural approbation has been a long-debated topic for the bindi, so if you are not Indian, it’s better that you don’t wear it just for the novelty factor or for impressing your friends. Not that it is entirely forbidden but as with many other important cultural traditions, wearing the red dot could confuse the people around you and create some problematic situations.

Is it bad if an Indian married woman doesn’t wear the bindi?

In most countries that still hold the tradition, yes, it is considered bad and almost a sin to not wear the bindi when and after getting married. Nevertheless, most people are open-minded at the idea of not forcing the bindi on women, and rather let them choose from their free will if they want or not to wear the forehead dot.

What’s the difference between the tilaka and the bindi?

The bindi and tilaka (or tilak) are often confused one for another, so it’s important to know their differences to better understand what they each represent. The tilaka is mainly used for religious or spiritual purposes. Additionally, it is also worn to honor someone important.

The bindi, as described earlier, is mainly worn by married women to show that they are with someone or for decorative purposes. Furthermore, the tilak is worn by both men and women, whereas the bindi is generally worn by women only. Finally, the tilak will often represent which Hindu religious group the wearer is part of.

That concludes our complete guide on bindis and what they represent. Now that you are a pro in bindis and tilakas, you will be able to comfortably distinguish them.

 

The Stylish Way Indian Women Are Fighting Iodine Deficiency

Bindi: A Traditional Indian Fashion Accessories

Bindis are a part of our tradition that we don’t stop thinking about its origin and evolution. However, you can read all about the various types of bindis that grace our stores.

A bindi is a decorative circular mark applied to the forehead of Hindu women. Women sport these bindis every day, particularly during festivals and religious ceremonies.

History and Evolution of the Bindi

‘Bindi’ originates from the Hindi word ‘Bindu’ or drop. The bindi has Indian origins that go back to Vedic times when Hindu society comprised four classes, and each class wore a distinguishing bindi.

Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism associate the bindi with ajna chakra or the third eye. The point around which the mandala was created was also known as bindi or bindu, which represents the universe. Another Hindu belief was that the bindu was the point at which Creation began. The Rigveda mentions the bindu being symbolic of the cosmos.

In the 11th century CE, we see statues of Shyama Tara or the ‘mother of liberation’ displaying bindis.  Though no one is sure of the exact origin of the bindi, people hazard a guess that it may be 3000 years ago.

Since those times, men have worn the bindi to depict their caste and women to show their marital status. Single, unmarried women wear the black bindi even today to show that they are still unmarried. A Hindu groom marks his marriage with a woman by applying sindoor to her forehead. Married women sport red bindis and other colours too to match their clothes. Widows do not wear bindis at all.

All over India, bindis are known by these names:

Sindoor

Kumkum

Bottu

Teep

Bottu

Tikli

Tilak

The innocent bindi has traveled many centuries to modern India, evolving all the time. Today, while it still occupies pride of place in those moments of our lives mentioned above, its use has extended a bit further. It is now a fashion accessory to Indian ethnic wear, not just saris but also salwar kameezes, ghaghra-cholis, and lehengas. Women of all religions and communities sport bindis to give themselves a complete ethnic look. Designer bindis are teamed up with smart ethnic wear and worn at weddings or other functions. If bindi designs fascinate you, you can look for the best at bindi online stores.

Symbolism of Bindis

One can find many different interpretations of the bindi in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, such as:

The Ajna Chakra (Third Eye)

When the Hindu sages composed the Vedas in Sanskrit, they described the focal areas of the body that were rich in concentrated energy. Known as chakras, they extend to all parts of the body. The sixth of them is called the Ajna chakra or the third eye.

Bindis are applied at the Ajna chakra spot between the two brows. It is the seat of wisdom, and its purpose is to enhance the powers of this chakra. With the wisdom of this chakra, they can interpret the goings-on in the world based on truth. Bindis are also worn to eliminate the evil eye’s ill-effects and replace them with good luck.

Bindi for Meditation

Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist deities always sport bindis and are shown to be deep in meditation. Their eyes are nearly closed, and their gaze is intent on the spot between their brows, Bhrumadhya.

Bindis Symbolize Virtue

Hinduism teaches that the third eye cannot be seen, unlike the two physical eyes. It focuses on God, and the red bindi worn by men and women symbolizes their religiousness and is a reminder to God to grant them sufficient room in their thoughts.

Bindi as a Symbol of Marriage

The red bindi or Kumkum worn by women is a sure sign of marriage. People believe that the red bindi on a woman’s forehead is the bringer of prosperity and secures her place in the family.

Red Bindi Signifies Love, Honor, and Prosperity

According to Hinduism, a red bindi stands for love, prosperity, and honor. It also signifies Shakti or strength and purity. It is worn at auspicious occasions such as weddings, festivals, and births.

Types of Bindis

There’s a primary classification of bindis worn by Indian women:

Stick-on bindis:

Stick-on bindis are available in packs of 10 or so. All you need to do is to pull out one at a time and stick it on your forehead. For busy and working women, this is a great boon.

Kumkum Bindis:

Kumkum bindis are designs that the wearer makes using vermillion (Kumkum) on her forehead.

There’s a vast variety of shapes and designs of bindis in India. You can have a circular, vertical, artistic, or geometric bindi design to suit your face shape and attire. Here are popular bindi types as seen in India:

Dulhan Bindi:

As the name suggests, a Dulhan search Bindi decorates a bride’s forehead. Beautifully created, these bindis vary from region to region in India. Stones are used to provide glitter.

There are two variations of it—the larger one worn in the middle of the bride’s forehead; and the other, a collection of smaller bindis over her arched eyebrows. These bindis accessorize her get-up, making her look special and elegant. Generally, this bindi is red.

Layered Bindi:

Layered bindis are bindis that are created to create a new pattern. Since many bindis come together to form a pattern, the final result is a big bindi. Women with broad foreheads should wear these with saris. 

Vertical Bindi:

These are vertical in shape and look superb on women with oval-shaped faces. You might find them in the form of a teardrop and rainbow colours. Vertical bindis are highlighted with decorative stones.

Geometric Bindi:

Geometrically shaped bindis in a variety of colours go well with cotton saris. They give women a traditional but classy look. Women opt for geometric shapes like triangles, squares, rectangles, or rhombus to suit their face shape and dress.

Stone Bindi:

Bindis manufacturers create innovative designs of stone bindis with colourful stones or with Swarovski crystals. Silk saris, designer lehengas, salwar kameezzes, and anarkalis go well with them. You can get maximum effect with minimum makeup and a stone bindi.

Designer Bindi:

Designer bindis are sophisticated in style and colour and are heavily embellished with sequins, gold thread, pearls, and glitter. This makes them ideal for those special occasions.

Snake Bindi:

Some women are attracted to snake design bindis. They look good on women with broad foreheads and are best paired with lehengas or festive saris.

Regional Bindis

Bengali Bridal Bindi:

The Chandan Dulhan bindi worn by Bengali brides gives their faces a unique sheen. This bindi is painted across their brows, and they look gorgeous with a mukut and light makeup. Bengali brides typically sport maroon bindis.

South Indian Bindi:

South Indian brides wear a plain red dot bindi using Kumkum. This is teamed up with a simple silk saree and matching temple jewelry.

Maharashtrian Crescent Bindi:

The Maharashtrian bridal bindi or Chandrakor is crescent-shaped and bears a small dot below it. It is red or maroon in colour, and women can wear this post-marriage to denote their marital status. It looks best with traditional Maharashtrian sarees. These bindis are signs of a woman’s marital status.

Tribal Bindi:

You can use tribal bindis to give a boost to your everyday look. They can team these bindis with long skirts, tribal prints, or single solid colour traditional wear.

How to Apply a Bindi

To apply a stick-on bindi:

Take it off the pack and apply it to your forehead. If you use a non-stick-on bindi, you will need a glue stick.

Apply a thin layer of the gum on the back of the bindi and stick it on your forehead.

Hold the bindi in place and press it for a few minutes, so that the bindi does not fall off.

search Bindi Removal

Remove your bindi by sliding your fingernail under it. The dried glue will leave a mark on your forehead, which you can wipe away with makeup remover.

Bindi Maintenance

After using a bindi, its underside will have remnants of glue, makeup, and skin cells. Either you reuse it as it is a few times or clean it with alcohol and a wool pad.

Bindi Storage

Store your bindis carefully in a tightly-lidded box, else you will find that some stones have fallen off.

Conclusion

The vast variety of colours, shapes, and designs of bindis in India is mind-blowing. People believe a bindi protects their third eye and keeps them safe from danger. Whatever your reason for wearing them, we hope you have fun exploring new designs.

FAQs: Bindi

Q. What do different bindi colours mean?

Ans. A red bindi signifies that the wearer is a married woman. Widows wear no bindi, or they could wear black bindis.

Q. What are bindis made of?

Ans. Mica, lac, sandal, and Kasturi are the ingredients of bindis.

Q. What does a black dot on the forehead mean?

Ans. Unmarried women wear black bindis.

The Beautiful History & Culture Behind Bindi

Traditionally worn as a red dot on the forehead, the bindi has Hindu beginnings. It was originally worn for religious purposes, often also meaning marriage.

If you are not familiar with the term “bindi,” I’m certain you’ve at least seen it before.

Bindi is a dot on the forehead between the brows that holds importance to South Asians. Sometimes people will wear this as “makeup” to a festival, but there is a rich cultural history behind the bindi, originating from India. The bindi is a symbol that holds significant meaning, more than a fashion statement as many people make it out to be.

“Bindi” comes from the Sanskrit word “bindu,” meaning a point or dot. Traditionally worn as a red dot on the forehead, the bindi has Hindu beginnings often associated with religious purposes or a woman’s marital status. Red bindis symbolize marriage, so when women were widowed, they would often change their bindi color to black.

The bindi is also seen as a “third-eye” on the forehead between the brows, warding off bad luck. The third-eye in Hinduism is not seeing the world as the other two are, but rather forging a connection with God. It keeps God in the forefront of our minds and thoughts. Hindus believe there are seven chakras, energy points in the body that should be aligned, and the bindi is placed right where the sixth one should be.

Though the bindi used to only be a red dot, often made of turmeric, many South Asians today prefer to wear a gemstone or something similar. Generally, women wear bindis, however, men can wear them as well if they wish to, especially for religious practices or celebrations. People usually wear bindis that match their outfits nowadays, whereas in the past, it used to be a much narrower selection, typically exclusively the red dot. There are also a variety of designs, including swirls, jewels, and different shapes instead of the perfect circle. These are growing trends in South Asia and among Indians residing all over the world.

It’s important to understand and question the prevalence of bindis in Western culture. Many people wear bindis without understanding the cultural significance behind them, and claim them as fashion statements. Since bindis carry a very strong history in India along with cultural and religious implication to millions of people, this should not be disregarded in favor of fashionable trends. Celebrities who have worn bindis, for instance, have been praised for being “exotic” or “unique” as well as being accused of cultural appropriation. This leaves us to wonder whether non-South Asian celebrities should be allowed to profit off of a religious symbol originated from the Indian culture. Regardless, bindis should always be worn with an appreciation for India’s colorful and spiritual culture.

The Bindi

A bindi is a dot typically worn on the forehead by Hindu women. Bindis are available at most Indian stores in packets. They are available in all kinds of materials, sizes, and shapes. One side of the bindi has adhesive similar to ‘post-it’ notes, thus allowing bindis to be used again and again. Bindis have a religious and social significance which are often ignored. In recent times, they mostly have fashion significance.

Typically a bindi is worn by women. Bindi worn by men is known as Tika. Tika is usually associated with some religious ceremony. 

Bindis come in all shapes, colors, and forms. They are limited only by the imagination of manufacturers. The size varies from a tiny dot to the size of a quarter and depends on the individual’s preference.

There are many explanations for the bindi. The most popular ones are as follows:

RELIGIOUS

1. The Lord Shiva (The Lord of Destruction) has three eyes. The third eye is in the center of the forehead. When the Lord Shiva destroys the evil, all his energy is centered on the third eye, which then opens.
2. The third eye of the Lord Shiva is symbolic of his energy (Shakti). His consort, Goddess Parvati is the personification of this Shakti. Thus, all women are considered to possess this Shakti and the bindi is a symbolic representation of her powers.
3. Whenever the religious ceremony or worship is performed, a priest or performer will wear a Tika. This Tika is typically made from a red dye and/or ash mixed with water. Thus, it is either red or gray in color. Red is a symbolic holy color. Ash represents Lord Shiva’s destructive powers. It is to remind us that we all go back to ashes.

SOCIAL

1. The bindi symbolizes that a woman is not a widow. Thus, both married and unmarried women wear bindi. Only widows do not wear bindi. Bindi symbolizes Sowbhagya, the “blessedness of marital status.” The unmarried women wear it because it is assumed that every woman has a man who is destined to be her husband. Amongst urban and educated population, bindi is worn by all women.

The Beauty Dot of Indian Women, Bindi!

Do you know the reason behind women wearing a bindi? Or ever wondered why they wear it only on their fore head and not on their cheeks, or the tip of their nose?! Putting the religious explanation aside, here is a more scientific explanation to this practice.

POSITION OF THE BINDI: A Bindi is worn between the eyebrows, where the pineal gland lies. This in turn is connected to the pituitary gland, which is the master gland of all endocrine glands and helps in the functioning of the entire body. Experts also say that the area is the seat of wisdom, and is known as ‘The Agna chakra’ (command) in the science of yoga. This controls various levels of concentration and holds positive energy in the body.

Applying sandalwood paste, ash, turmeric, kumkum or zinc oxide acts as a cooling ingredient to the nerve center.

SIGNIFICANCE OF WEARING A BINDI:
It is said that the beauty of a woman multiplies a thousand times if she wears a bindi. And it is so true! Any Indian woman dressed for an auspicious moment in life, is incomplete without a bindi. Indian women adore wearing a red bindi. With reference to Hindu Mythology, red signifies strength and love. And why not, a woman is an epitome of love and she has the strength to grow and protect her family.

LET US RESPECT THE BEAUTY AND UNIQUE STRENGTH OF EVERY WOMAN!

Significance of a Bindi in Hindu Culture

Significance of a Bindi in the Hindu Culture:   In countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and India, a dot which is usually known as bindi is worn on the forehead.

Wearing a dot on the forehead is very popular and a common practice. It is basically an ancient tradition in Hindu religion.

Bindi generally means a dot or a small particle which is worn on the forehead. The word bindi comes from the Sanskrit word called Bindu and it is generally associated with the mystical third eye of the person.

Although wearing a bindi is a tradition in Hindu religion, but it has become a fashion statement and an important part of accessories for many people.  

Women generally wear a bindi which is a red dot in the centre of the forehead and lies in close proximity to the eyebrows. Bindis are of different types, shapes and colours.

According to many traditional people, wearing a bindi was often associated with offering blood which was done to please the God.  

Although the origin of bindi dates back to ancient times, over the passage of time it is mostly worn by everybody.

All throughout the modern world, it is considered as an accessory. In the Indian tradition, bindi still holds a very crucial position and is of utmost importance. Bindis are available in different colours and they are worn in different occasions. 

Generally, it is seen that a married woman puts a red bindi on her forehead as it exhibits love. A married woman generally avoids a black bindi and never wears it as it is not at all auspicious to wear.  However, most of the women do not follow these rules nowadays. 

During pujas or ceremonies, the men generally wear a tilak on their forehead.  

Significance of wearing a bindi:   Generally, there is a practice of wearing a red bindi in married women. A red bindi is worn in order to make people understand that they are married. In India, the widows do not wear a bindi, however, there is a tradition of wearing a black bindi among widows. 

For widows, black bindis signify a loss. The young girls can wear bindi of any colour and shape.  

Use of Bindi in a Spiritual way: In Hindu culture, Bindi plays a very significant role. Generally, every morning after taking a bath, a Hindu sits down to pray in front of God. He tries to find absolute truth and peace through his prayer. Also, it should be kept in mind that a person cannot sit in prayer throughout the entire day.

As soon as you leave the room, you should mark your forehead with some mark, so that it reminds you about the activities that you have performed throughout the day.  Although you won’t be able to see your own bindi on your forehead if you see it on others forehead, it will certainly help you remind about the day-long activities that you have performed.

The purpose of doing this is to the achieve the goal and self-realisation in life.

Meaning of Bindi in Society?

In our society, there exists a concept of categorization or tagging people in groups.

Bindi performed the same function too. In order to keep the unmarried girls safe and away from danger, they were made to wear a black bindi.

A married woman usually wore a red bindi. The four different castes wore tilaks of different colours although this was practised in very conservative families.

The Brahmins wore a sandalwood coloured tilak. The Kshatriyas wore red colour tilak that signified bravery. The Vaishyas wore a yellow tilak that signified wealth and prosperity. The Sudra wore a black tilak that signified the service class.  

Use of Bindi from the viewpoint of Health: Generally, we wear the bindi in between our two eyebrows. The pineal gland lies between the eyebrows. 

This centre is an important nerve centre and when we apply sandalwood it keeps our nerves cool. In the ancient times, the bindis were made of red and yellow turmeric, saffron, ash and zinc oxide. These had cooling properties and helped to keep the forehead cool.

Nowadays, the bindis are made up of glass or glue which do not have any benefit from the viewpoint of health and is generally considered to be an accessory.

The Meaning of Bindi in Relation to Spirituality: Bindi is applied in the place of the third eye.  This place or position is known as Ajna Chakra. At this position, one loses all ego/pride and reaches the height of spirituality.

Meaning of Different kinds of Bindis: The worshippers of God Vishnu wear a red bindi in the shape of a V. The V-shape has a white I inside it which signifies that they are followers of God Vishnu. 

A common practice in Southern India is to wear a black bindi in unmarried girls which is usually done to get rid of bad luck.  

Bindi Bindi can usually be described as a traditional red circular mark or dot worn by the Indian women on their forehead. When this is accompanied by a vermillion mark on the parting of hair just above the forehead, it indicates that the particular lady is married.

The term ‘bindi’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘bindu’ meaning “a drop or a small dot or particle”.

Even though traditionally, bindi is a red colored dot, it can be worn in other colors also, like yellow, orange and so on.

The shape and size of the bindi can also vary. Significance Of Bindi Women use a Bindi, and in Indian tradition, Bindi plays a significant role.

Different colors of Bindi are available. You can also see men wearing Tilak during religious ceremonies. Married women wearing a bindi signify good fortune. It is believed that one cannot hypnotize women wearing a bindi.  

Tilak in Hindi, Tikli in Marathi, Pottu in Tamil and Malayalam, Tilakam or Tilaka in Telugu and Kannada, Teep in Bengali, Tipa in Odiya, Chandlo in Gujarati, bindi in Punjab, and Phot in Assam.  

Historical Significance OF Bindi The practice of bindi has been mentioned in Hindu Puranas. Bindi is known as Kumkum in South Asia. In the South, all girls would use bindi. Kumkum would be used by the women, especially on special occasions.   You can see Hindu Goddesses wearing bindi on their foreheads. Tulsidas mentioned the significance of bindi in ‘Ramcharitmanas.’ In Ramayana, Sita wore sindoor on her forehead. In Aryan culture, Kumkum or Bindi represent the blood, which is used during the marriage.  

Bindi To Improve Your Health The pineal gland is present between the eyebrows, and it is an important nerve center. By placing a bindi between eyebrows, one can keep themselves relaxed. You can also use sandalwood and ash.   One may be relieved from headaches by massaging the center point. Pressing the center point would increase the blood flow to the nasal passage and relieve a blocked nose. It is considered a treatment for sinusitis. You need to press the center point if you are unable to sleep. Pressing and massaging the center point for a few seconds will make you relaxed from mental stress.  

Third Eye     Bindi is put in place of our third eye. The third eye is known as Ajna Chakra. It helps us reach a higher spiritual level. By using red color bindi, one can retain the positive energy of the body.  

Different Colors OF Bindi Sandalwood bindi is used mostly by the Brahmin priest. Yellow tilak signifies prosperity. Warriors in the ancient period would use red-colored tilak. Some people also like to use black color bindi.   You can use bindi according to the color of your clothes. But red color bindi is always considered attractive.  

Fashion Point Of View From the point of view of fashion, women wear bindi as an accessory. Women prefer bindi to enhance beauty. Some would wear a tattoo in the place of the bindi. To grab the attention of others, they would use different shapes and colors.   You would see people wearing bindi when performing a classical dance. Presently bindi is made from sequins and crystals. Most people believe that a woman with a bindi receives more respect in society.      

The Holy Dot The holy dot or bindi  (also known as kumkum, mangalya, tilak, sindhoor and by other names) is an auspicious makeup worn by young Hindu girls and women on their forehead.   The term bindi is derived from bindu, the Sanskrit word for a dot or a point. It is usually a red dot made with vermilion (finely powdered bright red mercuric sulphide). Considered a blessed symbol of Uma or Parvati, a bindi signifies female energy (shakti) and is believed to protect women and their husbands. Traditionally a symbol of marriage (hence the widows did not wear vermilion), it has now become a decorative item and is worn today by unmarried girls and women of other religions as well.  No longer restricted in color or shape, bindis today are seen in many colors and designs and are manufactured with self-adhesives and felt.      

What is a Bindi? A bindi, worn in Hindu, Buddhist, and other dominant Southeast Asian religions, is a small red dot applied on the forehead between the eyebrows using a red paste. Traditionally, the bindi is applied to newly married women, as well, to symbolize her place as the family’s protector and sage of sorts. In modern times, however, any woman, or man, can wear the bindi as a sign of their religious devotion.   The term ”bindi” comes from the ancient Sanskrit word bindu meaning ”particle” or ”small drop.” However, citizens of India speak many different languages, so the bindi is also known in other Indian languages as the kumkum, sindoor, bottu, tikli, or teep. Despite different terminology, though, the bindi still carries the same symbolism in each language and region.  

What is a Bindi Made Of? In the early days of its conception, bindis were made from natural elements to formulate a paste-like substance. Most often, women used sindur, a red powder made with tumeric and lime juice to make the paste for the bindi. However, all sorts of other materials have also been used, such as cut-up leaves mixed with either kumkum powder, vermilion, or sandalpaste. In addition, in more recent years, the bindi has been made from ointments like petroleum jelly, liquified kumkum, and even makeup. By the 1980s, though, red felt stickers became the most popular method for bindi applications. During this period, women, even female Indian celebrities like Shanta Hublikar, began wearing smaller bindis. Today, the bindi has taken on a variety of looks, shades, and sizes.  

Religious Significance of Bindi Most widely used in Hinduism, the bindi’s Hindu tradition dates back to 3000 BCE when ancient Hindu leaders explained the different chakras, or energy zones, in the human body. One of the seven central chakras is the ajna chakra, or the ” brow chakra” located between the eyebrows. In Sanksrit, ajna means ”command” or ”perceive, ” so this location represents the person’s third eye or personal intuition. Therefore, this Hindu forehead mark is worn to boost the ajna chakra’s power. Just as many Hindu people practice yoga to connect with their inner selves, the bindi acts as a conduit for inner connectivity. In other words, on the one hand, humans use their two physical eyes to see the material world. On the other hand, humans use their third eye, represented by the ajna chakra and enhanced by the bindi, to connect with God within them.   Hindu leaders promote wearing the bindi no matter the culture a believer may be surrounded by. Even though the bindi is not common in western cultures, Hindu temples encourage their followers to proudly wear the bindi as a sign of devotion to their culture, heritage, and religion. In fact, some Hindu leaders compare the bindi to a Christian cross or Jewish yarmulka. The bindi, like the cross and yarmulka, is a religious proclamation of devotion, not an act of grandstanding or drawing attention.  

Lesson Summary The bindi is a red forehead dot donned by many Indian people and is an ancient Hindu, and even Buddhist, tradition. The red dot is applied between the two eyebrows on the forehead, where Hindus believe their third eye, or ajna chakra, resides. The bindi is used to boost the ajna chakra’s power of connecting the individual with the internal, spiritual world. The bindi is made from a red paste, typically made with sindur powder but in modern day from makeup or even petroleum jelly. The term ”bindi” stems from the Sanskrit word for ”particle” or ”small drop.”   Traditionally, the bindi was worn mostly as a sign that a woman was married, though men would wear the bindi as well. Then, if a woman was widowed, she would remove the bindi or trade it for a black bindi, which was worn by single women. Today, however, many women, no matter their marital status or age, sport the bindi as a cultural and fashion statement. Hindu leaders still encourage Hindu followers to wear the bindi as a declaration of faith as well as a sign of connectivity in situations when one may find solace in having another Hindu person nearby.    

Where does the word ‘bindi’ come from? The word bindi comes from the ancient Sanskrit word bindu which means small drop or particle. Therefore, the meaning of the word is representative in the size and shape of the bindi.  

What does a bindi symbolize? The bindi symbolizes one of the body’s seven core chakras, or energy zones. This chakra, the ajna chakra, is located between the eyes and represents the human’s third eye, or spiritual eye.   What does it mean when a Hindu woman wears a bindi? Traditionally, a bindi signifies that a woman is married. Today, however, many women no matter their age or marital status wear the bindi for cultural, religious, and even fashion reasons.    

HISTORY AND MEANING OF BINDI The Indian bindi is a traditional sign worn on the head by women. This is in its most basic form of a red dot, placed between the two eyebrows, on the front thereof.   If you are not familiar with the term “bindi” I’m sure you’ve at least seen. This is a point on the forehead, between the eyebrows, which is of great importance for South Asians.   Sometimes people have the will to “make up” at a festival, but there is a rich cultural history behind this product from India. The tilak is a symbol that has an important meaning, more than just a fad like many people do believe.   The term “bindi” comes from the Sanskrit word “bindu”Which means” point “. Traditionally worn as a roundabout on the front, it has Hindu origins often associated with fine religious or to marital status a woman’s. The red bindis symbolize marriage, so when women were widowed, they often changed their color to black.   These were very worn by models during Hindu Bollywood films, or for photo shoots.  

THE BINDI AND THIRD EYE The roundabout is also considered a “third eye”On the forehead, between the eyebrows, which removes bad luck. The third eye in Hinduism is not to see the world as the other two, but rather to establish a connection with God.   It will keep God in the forefront of our minds and our thoughts. Hindus believe that there seven chakras, Energy points in the body to be aligned, and the bindi is positioned where the sixth should be.  

THE BINDI AND RELIGION Bindis carry a very strong history in India, with implications cultural and religious for millions of people, which should not be neglected in favor of fashion trends.   Celebrities who have worn these, for example, were commended for their character “exotic” or “unique”, but also accused of cultural appropriation.   This leads us to ask whether non-originating celebrities in South Asia should be allowed to benefit from a religious symbol from Indian culture. Anyway, bindis should always be worn enjoying the colorful and spiritual culture of India.  

MEANING OF COLORS & BINDIS TILAKS There are several colors of bindis, each associated with a particular event or a stage of life.   Today’s forehead jewel is increasingly used as an accessory to the world and loses its important traditional significance over the decades.   This traditionally worn on the face accessory is also used by men as the Tilak.   Its role is extremely important in Indian society, it establishes what social class belongs each individual. It is also used during prayers and other religious ceremonies.   the red bindi means that the woman wearing it is married the black bindi means that the woman is a widow following a tragic loss Other colors are worn by young girls, free to use one she wants the white tilak carried by Priests (Brahmans) is a sign of purity the red tilak worn by warriors and kings (khatriyas) is sign value the yellow tilak worn by businessmen (vaishyas)is a sign of prosperity the black tilak worn by servants (Sudras) is a sign of dedication and service The Indian face stickers are perfect to accompany Indian jewelry such as a necklace mala and all kinds of pendants, a ring, a bracelet, earrings, tiara a Hindu or an Indian pin and all kinds of ethnic ornaments.   Whether precious stone like diamond, ruby ​​or white gold, or rather they are made of semi-precious stones, the bindi you wear will highlight each of your costume jewelry!  

BINDI IS IT ALWAYS WORN TODAY? Yes ! Although the red dot will once was a round, often turmeric, many South Asians now prefer to wear a precious stone or something similar.   In general, women wear bindis, but men can also wear if they wish, especially for religious practices where the celebration.   Nowadays, people generally wear tilaks go with their outfit, while in the past, the choice was much smaller and was generally limited to the red dot.   It is also part of the indisputable details in films Bollywood and all Indian models bear in shootings Pictures !   There are also a variety of reasons, including whirlpools, finery and shapes instead of the perfect circle. These growing trends in South Asia and among Indians living in the world.   It is important to understand and question the prevalence of bindis in Western culture. Many people carry them without understanding the cultural meaning that underlies them, and claim as fashion statements.  

BINDI WEAR CAN IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH The bindi does not cover a part of the harmless body, in fact the area between the eyebrowsis part of the hub caused human body. Apply to the jewelry area stimulates the body’s energy.   Traditionally made in sandalwoodAnd colored with spices like turmeric where the saffronWe suspect this jewel in front of not having been placed there by chance in history!   Knowing the important need for our customers to quickly find this product, we have chosen to have regular in stock sufficient quantities of these so that they are quickly available.        

BINDI – Meaning and Significance of the “Dot” on forehead A bindi is an auspicious mark worn by young girls and women in India. The name is derived from “Bindu”, a Sanskrit word for “point” or “dot” and is usually red in color made with vermillion powder which is worn by women between their eyebrows on the forehead.   The origin of the bindi can be found in ancient times but has lost this significance in modern life and is mostly worn all over the world as an accessory. However, bindis have a special significance even today in the Indian tradition. There are different colors worn for different occasions and stages in life, although most women these days don’t follow these rules of color anymore. Men also wear a Tilak during pujas (prayers) or religious ceremonies in India. There are many reasons as to why this practice started.  

SIGNIFICANCE OF A BINDI FOR A MARRIED WOMAN: If a woman wears a red bindi it shows that she is married and signifies true love and prosperity. Widows in India do not wear bindi normally, but they are allowed to wear a black coloured one in Southern India, showing their loss. However, young girls are free to wear bindi of any color.  

USE OF THE BINDI IN A SPIRITUAL WAY: In a spiritual view, bindi plays the most important role in Hindu culture. Every morning a Hindu takes a bath and sits in prayer just to seek the absolute truth through every prayer. However, it is true that one cannot sit in prayer the whole day. So when you leave the prayer room, you are expected to put some mark on your forehead, to remind you throughout the day about all the activities and the purpose of life. It is obvious you cannot see the mark on your own forehead every time so whenever you see it on another face, you will get a chance to recall the purpose of your life. The idea is to remember that all the things you are doing are dedicated towards the achievement of this supreme goal of self realization.  

USE OF BINDI IN THE SOCIETY: Society has always wanted to categorize or tag people in groups and the bindi performed a similar function in the ‘Social’ realm. The social purpose was to ward of the evil eye of the young unmarried girl by making her wear a ‘black’ Bindi. The married women wore a red Bindi. The 4 castes wore different coloured tilak though this is not followed except in very conservative families in the villages.   1. The Brahmins who were priests or academicians wore a tilak of white sandal wood signifying purity.   2. The Khatriyas (Kings, Warriors and Administrators) wore red tilak to signify valor.   3. The Vaishyas (Business men) wore a yellow tilak signifying prosperity.   4. The Sudra (service class) wore black tilak to signify service to the other classes.  

USE OF WEARING BINDI FROM A HEALTHY VIEWPOINT: From a health point of view, the bindi is worn between the eyebrows where the pineal gland lies. This is an important nerve center and applying sandalwood or ash keeps the nerves cool and so keeps one cool and conserves energy. In the past the bindi was made from the yellow and red sandalwood, red and yellow turmeric, saffron, various flowers, ash, zinc oxide. All these had cooling properties in nature. Today people wear bindis made with glue or glass and doesn’t benefit in any way but is more of an accessory.  

SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE OF A BINDI: The Ajna Chakra is considered to be the place of the “Third Eye” where one applies the Bindi. The Ajna Chakra is the site where one finally loses Ahamkara (ego or sense of individuality) when one achieves self-realization or reaches a higher level of spirituality. It is a way to remind one another in the society to see through the mind’s eye and see the bigger picture of the “Universe as One”.         The sheer power of the dot The forehead embellishment mark called bindi , the word coming from the Sanskrit bindu , for a dot or small particle, is a typically Indian fashion statement — also with a religious connotation — that has evolved over the years. It alters the look of any woman’s face instantly and has fascinated me. Over the years, the mark has been reduced to a small dot, applied insignificantly or imperceptibly, thus reducing its importance. Some people believe, rightly or wrongly, that the dot enhances brain power as it is the site of the kundalini .    

Brief Knowledge about the Bindi/Tilak dating back to 1500 BCE My goal is to make sure second-generation Hindu teenagers have a strong connection to their religion so that Hinduism does not erode as time goes on. ‘Mission Bindi’ is an organization I have started to implement this goal of mine. I want to encourage and inspire young Hindus to wear the Bindi on a daily basis so that Hinduism lasts longer than we think.

The Bindi looks like a mere dot on the forehead, but its incredible significance stretches beyond measures. According to Hindu scriptures, millions of years ago, Lord Brahma, the cosmic God of creation, oralated the Rigveda to ancient rishis. In the Rigveda, Brahma talks about the areas of concentrated energies in our body.

The highest concentrated energy in our body is located in the center of our forehead, a place where the Bindi/Tilakam/Vibuthi is applied. This location on the body, the center forehead location, is the third eye chakra. Our third eye, unlike our other two eyes that view the materialistic world, views the cosmic universe of the Self (Atman, which is clearly described by Lord Krishna in chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita).

The Rigveda says that the Bindi, or Bindu, is a symbol/mark that represents and reminds the world of the Atman energies at the nerve point.

Over time, many Hindus have lost the tradition of wearing the Bindi, mainly because they are afraid they would look too ethnic, or they wanted to assimilate into Western cultures. This is seen in American Hindu teens, and Indian Hindu teens. Men have lost the tradition of wearing the Tilakam (which is a ‘Bindi’ that is worn by men. It was worn by Lord Krishna, Lord Rama, Lord Hanuman, and many more beings. Now, the existence of the Tilakam is completely gone).

Women, similar to men, are close to losing this beautiful tradition of wearing the Bindi. The older generations, like your mother and grandmother, have a relatively strong connection to Hinduism and the Bindi.

However, young Hindu teens, inspired by many external factors, have little or no connection to the Bindi or their religion. This will not only cause gradual erosion of Hinduism over time, but it will also cause young Hindus to never realize how wonderful their religion is.

The regular human man does not even have the mental capacity to think/discover this knowledge of the Bindi and the ajna chakra. It is just fascinating how the knowledge of the Bindi has been given by cosmic beings, the four voices of Lord Brahma—and it is sad to see that many young Hindus today are completely unaware of this.          

Conventionally, it’s the Hindu married women who wear bindi. But, this mark can have several meanings and so, you may also see unmarried girls and even children wearing it. It’s the occasion, the color of the bindi and its shape that determines what it denotes.

The customary bindi is made with red sindoor powder. The bindi is called the tilak when it’s applied on the forehead of a person, at the conclusion of a religious function or havan.  

The purpose of wearing a bindi can also vary. If it covers the entire forehead in three horizontal lines, then it denotes the wearer is an ascetic or belongs to a particular sect (like Brahmin). Sometimes, the bindi is used for mere beautification purpose by females.

In this case, you may also find her wearing a small jewelry instead of the typical red dot. Though in India, a widow cannot wear a vermillion, she is free to sport a bindi.  

Bindi is called by different names in different languages of India. Thus, alternative names for bindi is Pottu in Tamil and Malayalam, Tilak in Hindi, Bottu or Tilakam in Telugu, Bottu or Tilaka in Kannada and Teep meaning “a pressing” in Bengali. Sometimes, the terms sindoor, kumkum, or kasturi are used depending upon the ingredients used in making the Bindi mark. Thus, this article provides you a brief idea about what is bindi.