When you are ready to explore the Aryan ancient civilization, you will see some of the things that the Indian culture still practices to this day. Some of the traditions associated with the culture includes why women wears the red dot upon their forehead. In this article, we will take a look at where this practice originated.
The Dot On The Forehead
One of the main curiosities associated with Indian women involves the red dot that they place on their foreheads. Have you ever wondered where this practice has come from? This tradition can be traced back to the Aryan ancient times, which deals with the women’s promise to marry. While today the dot is placed on the forehead by makeup, ancient times used the blood of the groom, which was placed on the forehead of the bride or bride-to-be. Can you imagine walking around all day with a dot of blood on your skin?
Today, Indian women choose whether or not they wish to wear the dot upon the forehead. It is not a forced practice today and is solely the choice of the woman. The only limitations associated with the dot on the forehead deals with the marital status of a female. Women who are single, divorced or are a widow are not allowed to wear the dot on their forehead.
The dot on the forehead has become something of a fashion accessory in today’s society. Called the bindi, it has come a long way from bring the sign of happily married woman. You will see a celebrity donning this mark on their forehead, which now comes in many different colors, shapes and sizes. Sometimes, it is not uncommon to see a woman wear more than one at a time. A popular celebrity that you will see using the bindi as a fashion statement is Gwen Stefani.
The bindi is common on women that live in the South Asia and Southeast Asia, and is connected to the Hindi culture. The material used to create the powder that is placed upon the forehead is called red sindoor. Sometimes, the dot is not red, but black, when it is created with an ointment that is black in color. The place where the dot is placed is also significant. The positioning on the forehead is also where the same place that the Third Eye is observed.
The Religious Significance of the Bindi
Since the bindi is placed between the eyebrows, it does correspond to where you will find the sixth chakra. Within the Hindu culture, this is believed to be the location where concealed wisdom is found. When adhering to Tantric practices, it is this chakra that is thought to be where kundalini energy flows. The bindi is said to ensure an increased level of concentration and energy retaining is achieved. When wearing a bindi, it is believed that there is no loss in energy. It is also viewed as spiritual protection, as well as considered lucky against harm or demons.