Bindi: what does an Indian have on the forehead?

India ... An amazing country with an unusual color and old traditions does not leave any travelers indifferent. In this area, folk rites were strictly observed for centuries, which is why it has its own unique culture that has been continuously developed for more than 4,500 years. During this significant period of time, it changed and underwent various metamorphoses. This in many respects concerns the national clothes of Indians and the way that the Indian looked at the point on her forehead. Many will agree that the Indian national dress has a special ethnic originality, which makes it even more attractive.

Colorful country with ancient traditions

The national image in clothes has been formed for centuries under the influence of various factors, but it should be noted that it absorbed the best and now can rightly be called elegant and comfortable. The most popular traditional women's garment today is the sari, which invariably complements the point on the forehead of an Indian woman (the name of bindi or tilak). This piece of clothing is a piece of cloth with a size of 4 to 9 meters, which the girl ties around the waist and throws over her shoulder, covering her breasts. Sari must be worn with a lower skirt and blouse, which is also called ravika or choli. What is the name of the point on the forehead of Indian women and why is it an integral part of the Indian image? This and more will be discussed further.

What does the dot on the forehead mean for an Indian woman?

This is not just a beautiful ethnic decoration. It has its own meaning and history. No doubt, one of the traditional elements of the image is the famous Indian woman, the point on her forehead. It has several varieties and meanings. One of the species is tilak. It is applied by clay, ash or other substance. So, what does the dot on the forehead mean for an Indian woman? Since India is a deeply religious country, it can have quite a number of meanings, which in one way or another are associated with the worship of the gods. But this is not the only purpose of tilaka. In fact, he can tell a lot about origin and caste. It all depends on the material, color and place where the dot is drawn.

Varieties and traditional color

Fans of this beautiful jewelry often wonder about what is called the dot on the forehead of an Indian woman? Another species is bindi. Like tilak, they differ in color. Most often on the expanses of Hindustan there is a black or red dot. It is worn by a woman tied up in marriage, that is, married. Free girls traditionally should not apply bindi. Many are interested in the question of why the Indian women have a dot on their foreheads, and not between the eyebrows. The whole thing is again in the religious worldview of the Hindus. They consider this to be the third eye, which reveals wisdom. Although tilak, unlike bindi, can be located not only on the forehead, but also in other places, which, in the opinion of some, open the chakras of wisdom.

Tradition that has become a fashionable brand all over the world

To date, tilak and bindi have spread widely outside India and are more of an ethnic accessory and decoration than a symbol of religious affiliation. Today they have become additions to the everyday and even festive image of girls in different countries. However, for the Indians themselves, this remains a traditional symbol, which is of great importance in the culture and daily life of every Indian. Few people go into history in order to know its origin. Arriving with a tourist visit to the country, the girls should be extremely careful not to offend religious feelings of believers.

Standard recipe

The composition of bindi is pretty simple. This red powder is nothing but mercury sulphide, although sometimes an oily or wax base is added to it. It is noteworthy that in ancient times the composition of bindi also included the poison of cobra and ashes. Quite a strange recipe, but to whom, if not Indians, it is better to know what this traditional element of the national image should be made from. According to ancient traditions, the composition of bindi should be such that the point is easily and accurately applied to the forehead and is not smeared. Hindus successfully managed to create just such a combination of ingredients, so that the tillak is as beautiful and convenient for application. The Indian point on the forehead looks really excellent to this day.

A favorite decoration of modern girls

Girls are trained for a long time to make it perfectly smooth. To date, the modern industry offers a huge number of artificial ornaments of the type of bindi. Girls wear it on the territory of almost all of South Asia. This accessory suited not only married women for whom it was intended originally, but also for stylish girls, eager to stand out and to keep pace with the fashion trends of the world of beauty. Initially, bindi was traditionally red and round in shape, but over time, trends led to the fact that it changed beyond recognition, acquired a wide variety of colors and shapes. Part of the history of bindi is the fact that women traditionally can not draw it during the "these days". When India had not yet gained independence, the point on the forehead of an Indian spoke of her belonging to one of the castes, the same was true of the tilaka that some men had inflicted on themselves. Indeed, each country has its own inimitable customs and traditions, and bindi and tilak is part of the great history of India, which must never be erased from memory.