The Indian Bindi. What Is It?

I love the indians for one thing and that's their way of dressing, the sarees that comes in different colours and designs. These sarees are usually sown as trouser and a top or a wrap-skirt with a crop top .

Then the red dot on the head hmmmmmm it got me thinking and I decide to find out the significance of it and it names.

The  bindi (Hindi), meaning "a drop, small particle, dot"; is a forehead decoration worn in South Asia (particularly India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Mauritius) and Southeast Asia.

Traditionally it is a bright dot of red colour applied in the centre of the forehead close to the eyebrows, but it can also consist of other colours with a sign or piece of jewelry worn at this location.

Traditionally, the area between the eyebrows (where the bindi is placed) is said to be the sixth chakra, ajna, the seat of "concealed wisdom". The bindi is said to retain energy and strengthen concentration.

The bindi also represents the third eye.

The Nasadiya Sukta of the Rig Veda, the earliest known Sanskrit text, mentions the word vindu/bindu.

In modern times, the bindi is worn by women of many religious disposition in South Asia and Southeast Asia, and is not restricted to one religion or region. However, the Islamic Research Foundation, located in India, says "wearing a bindi or mangalsutra is a sign of Hindu women.

The traditional bindi still represents and preserves the symbolic significance that is integrated into Indian mythology in many parts of India."

Red represents honour, love and prosperity, hence it was worn traditionally by women to symbolise this day.

The red bindi has multiple meanings which are all valid at the same time. It is also a spiritual symbol.

In addition to the bindi, in India, a VERMILION mark in the parting of the hair just above the forehead is worn by married women as commitment to long-life and well-being of their husbands.

During all Hindu marriage ceremonies, the groom applies sindoor on the parting in the bride's hair.

The bride must wipe off her red bindi once she becomes a widow.

This can be seen as symbolic and shows her status in society. Widows can continue to wear the black bindi but with a white sari.