What is the name of the point on the forehead in India. Bindi is an Indian symbol of the wisdom and mind of a woman

Everyone has some idea about war paint, but few people think that there was a coloring for love. "It is written on the forehead" - this is, perhaps, all the same about bindi)) In ancient times they liked to paint not only the face, but the whole body. And not only in India. Tattoos are generally a sacred thing (literally), every ancient man considered it his duty. The drawing on the body spoke a lot about a person, his status, tribe, geographic region, family status and so on.

India is one of the few places in the world that is unique in its kind - where many ancient traditions have survived to this day in their unchanged "preserved" form. And since, logically, all Indo-Europeans, including both the Indians and you and I, had a common ancestral homeland and proto-language in the past, it is India that keeps forgotten codes for the customs and mysteries of the past of Indo-European tribes. So, it is quite possible that our ancestors also drew bindi and mehendi. What did bindi mean?

Chandan bindi bengali bride

BINDI HISTORY AND MEANING

Bindi is a point on the forehead drawn by women in India and some neighboring countries) is considered a variant of tilaka - signs that are applied to the face in India. There are many varieties of tilaka, their symbolism depends on religious affiliation. Most often it is one or more vertical or horizontal stripes on the forehead of men. Sometimes this is a tulsi sign, it includes both stripes and a dot-bindi, more about it below. It seems to me that the roots of this symbolism are in the signs denoting the masculine and feminine principles.

Vishnu and Lakshmi

The tradition of decorating the bindi body probably dates back to the ancient rituals of worshiping the moon and the sun.Bindi is mentioned in early Sanskrit texts.The red dot, symbolizing the rising sun, was applied to her forehead by Usha, the goddess of the morning in the Rig Veda, welcoming her husband, the sun god Surya.Bindi is a sign of blessing and protection from evil forces, a symbol of purification and good luck. Therefore, the sacred symbol is applied to the body after the morning bath. This is not only done by followers of the Vedic culture or priests. Indian women drew and paint bindi daily in their everyday life.Traditionally, bindi is applied with a fingertip, but women can also stencil it to get a perfect circle.

Bindi is used not only in India, but also in Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka. Regional variations include a crescent shape in Maharashtra, a large red dot in Bngaliya, a small red dot surrounded by whites in South India, and an elongated blob in Rajasthan.In southern India, bindi are also worn by unmarried girls.Women apply a red sign in the form of a circle to their foreheads with a special powder or paste kum-kum, sindur, etc.Sometimes not only red is used, but other colors as well, jewelry with precious stones can also be used.

The point between the eyebrows falls on the "third eye" zone - the sixth chakra Ajna (chakra of hidden wisdom). Followers of Hinduism and Buddhism, temple attendants put a ritual sign on the forehead - which is painted with red or yellow paint, depending on the symbol of a particular deity. These signs are a blessing, a happy wish, protect from evil forces and failures, or confirm the status of a person. For many married women in India, living in different regions, bindi and dyeing the parting in red is a daily ritual associated with the status of a married woman and old family traditions.

The red bindi has always been the most important because of its color. It well emphasizes the festive atmosphere, the importance of the moment. Its color also has a close connection with the mystical worldviews of the ancients - power was given to the color, they saw its strong energy and were respected by almost all peoples and tribes. However, there are places in India where black is just as important and only married women are allowed to wear black bindi.

Bindi in some regions may have their own symbols. Reds are worn only after marriage. Black was considered especially privileged and was intended only for holidays and important matters. As well as nails, and in ancient times also teeth, black were considered signs of a special status. According to local beliefs, the toenails of the Buddha himself were painted black - for many Indians this is not only a beautiful, but also a sacred color.At the same time women throughout family life in many regions they wore only a red bindi and changed to black if they became widows.

Lakshmi from Here, artist Tina Solstrand

THE SACRED TREE TOULSEY

Bindi is placed in the place of the symbolic third eye and for initiates it symbolizes the mystical union of the male and female principles. A tattoo on the forehead in the form of "tulsi" is often combined with bindi - a bindi is drawn on the forehead under the tulsi sign. This is a more feminine sign, according to legend, a loving and devoted wife turns into a tulsi (Indian basil) tree standing at the beloved's house to protect him and always be there.

Since then, this unremarkable and not even flowering plant has been considered sacred. It is grown in special beautiful stands in the center of the yard. Tulsi is dedicated to worship rituals, local legends and festivals. Previously, a young wife was required to personally look after him every morning at her husband's house. The stand was whitewashed and the sacred signs of the swastika, Om and other religious symbols were painted. For tulsi, special prayer mantras were read in Sanskrit. The worship of tulsi as a ritual appeared during the spread of Hinduism in India.

George Harrison with Tulasi Vaishnava Kanthimala

In Vaishnerism, Tulasi is worshiped as an incarnation of Lakshmi, in Krishnaism - Radha, who took the form of a plant. Beads are carved from tulasi branches - kanthimala, an attribute of Vainsnavas and a jala-mala rosary (in Shaivism from rudraksha). Wearing a kanthimala around the neck is a sign of humble service to Vishnu or Krishna and the fact that he is moving on the path of self-realization. Thanks to these beads, the human soul will not enter the hellish worlds, the servants of the god of death Yama will not be able to touch it.

BINDY AND MODERNITY

This tradition is widespread even now, and, most likely, it will persist for hundreds of years, especially in the wedding ceremony, but recently adjustments have begun to penetrate into this tradition.The color, shape, material of bindi are now used in a variety of ways. They are painted with paints, pencils, powders - drawn bindi are more traditional than glued ones. Some traditions have been lost - for example, in ancient times the position of the bindi on the face reflected caste: the lower the bindi, the lower the caste, but now they do not pay attention to this. Bindi is losing its sacred, mystical meaning, more and more experiencing the trends of Indian fashion and penetrated into European culture. Skillful use of bindi allows women to correct facial features and eye color.

HOW TO CORRECT VISIBILITY WITH BINDI

Indian women, unlike all other women in the world, have in their arsenal a simple and effective way to correct and give greater harmony to facial features. As you guessed it, this is bindi. For example, if the eyes are close or deeply set, it is enough not to focus on the bridge of the nose - to correct the bridge of the nose, the bindi is simply raised to the middle of the forehead. With a low forehead, choose the average size of the bindi or draw an openwork or oval point. The large size of the bindi will accentuate small or tired eyes. A large bindi will adorn an elongated face, with wide-set eyes, a high forehead and small plump lips.

A large bindi will add severity and extra age to a non-oval face with thin hums. In this case, a small or patterned bindi, light and graceful, is more suitable. A small bindi does not harmonize well with wide eyebrows; in this case, the width of the eyebrows can be adjusted, at least from below. Bindi with rhinestones or in the form of a drop are also used. The moon is placed horns upwards, not as seen in the northern countries. A circle, rhombus, or drop is often placed over the moon. Bindi can take many different forms. Modern bindi is perceived as a design element - bindicombine with the color of clothing, facial features and other jewelry. Earrings, necklaces or other necklaces, hairpins, makeup - everything should be in harmony.

TRADITION AND PROGRESS: WHEN TRADITIONS GONE

Traditions sometimes have disadvantages. The world is developing, and in India there is still a caste system. Hindus who travel and study in different countries of the world are, in most cases, brahmanas. The rest of the generation after generation for thousands of years cannot go beyond the boundaries in which their ancestors were. The children of the Indian laundress are doomed to wash their clothes generation after generation and have no chance of changing their lives. Our serfdom in comparison with these castes is just flowers. Indira Gandhi tried to abolish at least a small part of the caste laws, but as a result she was killed by the Sikhs on October 31, 1984. This is All Saints' Day, and in many countries Halloween is celebrated on this day.

While the Hindus themselves in a foreign land often stop wearing bindi, in many countries there has been a tendency when many Europeans, on the contrary, start wearing bindi all the time) Among famous women -Gwen Stefani, Shakira, Madonna and others

Tilak (tika) and bindi - ritual drawings, which in their original meaning symbolized belonging to Hinduism. Therefore, those who belong to Islam, Christians, do not wear either one or the other.

Bindi

means "point, drop" - this is a woman's, which is applied to the area of \u200b\u200bthe 3rd eye.
Bindi was traditionally worn only by married people; this, along with a parting with a red stripe, served as an identification mark.
Bindi was painted with red turmeric (kumkum), usually in the form of a drop.

For widows, bindi was prohibited, however, as were other decorations.

Bindi red, just like tilak, they are sometimes even called tika, but despite the external similarity - a red dot between the eyebrows - the difference is huge - the first is a simple decoration, the second is a ritual mark.

The traditions of wearing bindi have now changed and differ from state to state. For example, in northern India, unmarried girls also wear bindi, but black, married ladies - from scarlet to burgundy.

Bindi is no longer always painted with paint, they are sold as red or black velvet in the form of a circle, pasted on the forehead. However, the color of the bindi began to be matched to the color of the toilet, so you can find both green and blue.
The stores sell plastic bindi with glitters, pebbles, which are glued on the forehead even for little girls.
In jewelry stores I also saw bindi - with precious stones on a piece of silver or gold.

In southern India, I also saw a bindi in the form of a black dot painted with antimony on the foreheads of very young children of both sexes. Parents said that such a bindi serves as a talisman for a baby.

Tilak, or rather tilak

This is a drawing applied by a Hindu on the forehead, sometimes the chest and arms, also called tika for short.
The most common tilak (abbreviated as tika) is a red dot between the eyebrows, the same as bindi, but tika (tilak) is placed after performing puja or visiting a temple.
The image and color of tilak varies according to the religious tradition.

Shivaites, that is, those who worship Shiva, and the Shaktas who worship, wear tripundra - 3 horizontal stripes painted with ash.

The stripes are applied with the sacred ash of vibhuti, which is formed after the burning of offerings in the process of agnihotra (homa), yajna (yajna), and others. In the process of fire rituals, the Deities are presented with a mixture, the components of which can be cow dung, rice, sandalwood paste, milk, ghee, sweets, etc.

Wanderers, as well as some sedentary gardeners, also use ash from their personal fire - dhuni (duni).

Tripundra ash is sold in many South Indian temples as an offering to a deity and returned as prasadam. In North Indian temples, a box of turmeric is given out as prasadam for tilak.
I saw that in the absence of ash, trypundra is sometimes applied with paint and even red turmeric.
the application of tripundra also differs in different places, so you can see 3 even thin stripes in the center of the forehead or stripes a finger wide from temple to temple.

Sometimes Shaivites, as well as Shaktas (including Aghori) add to the tripundra a large red dot in the middle of the forehead or at the place of the third eye, symbolizing Shakti, energy and blood, perhaps this is an echo of ancient times when red tilakas were placed with the blood of sacrificial animals.
Shaktas often put a few bindu or draw a red line across the forehead to the eyebrow.

It is believed that the Aghoris take (can take) the ashes for the tripundra from the cremation fires.

Vaishnavas, that is, the followers of the cult draw vertical stripes on their foreheads with white ash or paint, yellow turmeric or sandalwood paste with red red turmeric, or depending on the sect.

Vaishnava tilak may look like a U or V on the forehead, straight or more complex stripes join between the eyebrows and pass to the bridge of the nose, or it is a yellow vertical stripe on the forehead that looks like a leaf.

The mysterious East attracts Westerners with its traditions, cultural characteristics, splendor of dresses and jewelry, and the beauty of women. For example, a dot on the forehead of Indian women, called bindi, is one of the secrets that attracts us, and sometimes just haunts: why do eastern women put this mark?

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

Is it an unusual decoration or a way to convey some important information to others? Today, bindi is a decoration that is popular not only among Indian women, but also for women from other countries, and a traditional spot that carries a certain meaning.

What can bindi say?

Today, it is not known exactly when the tradition of painting a colored spot on the forehead of an Indian woman appeared, but, unambiguously, it appeared

long enough. If we consider bindi from the point of view of the cultural heritage of India, then you should know that, first of all, a red dot traditionally adorns the foreheads of married women... It is especially interesting what sense the Indians themselves put into bindi.

The word "bindi" itself is translated from Hindi as "drop", "point". There are also other names: tika, kumkum, chandra, sindor, tilakam, potu. Traditionally, it is painted in the center of the forehead between the eyebrows in the so-called "third eye".

Bindi is a type of tilak... It can be of different sizes, shapes (but most often - round) and colors. The most traditional option is a round or drop-shaped point of red or burgundy color.

This speck on the forehead originally had a deep meaning. Consider options for interpreting bindi:

• In Tantrism, it is believed that applying bindi to the "third eye" denotes hidden wisdom, since this part of the forehead is a symbol of the "eye of Shiva" .
• Another interpretation option that closely overlaps with the previous one. In the center of the forehead is the sixth chakra (Ajna), which contains all human experience... According to tantrism, when the thinking process takes place, the latent energy (kundalini) moves from the spine to the head, passing through the sixth chakra. Bindi is painted in order to conserve this energy and accumulate wisdom.
• Bindi can also be translated as "full moon" or "full moon". This mark protects its mistress from evil spirits and the evil eye. .
• Applying a red dot both before and today is the prerogative of a married woman. So she demonstrates her social status, and bindi is designed to give prosperity, happiness and tranquility in the family. If a woman is widowed, she does not apply bindi at all, thereby showing that she no longer has a husband.
• In ancient times, it was even possible to judge caste by bindi. For example, by the black dot on the woman's forehead, one could recognize her belonging to the kshatriyas, and by the red dot - to the brahmanas.

Today applying bindi is not only a tradition, but also an original decoration ... You can find dots on the forehead and red, and yellow, and gold, and blue. Now there is no limit to fantasies.

If earlier bindi was applied with a special dye mixture, today other options have been invented for women of fashion - colored henna with sparkles, stones, rhinestones, bright stickers, etc.

Features of applying sindura

Today it is possible to draw on the forehead of a bindi from various colors and materials, but the traditional red dot is performed by sindur.

Syndur is a special powder that has a red color and stains the skin, respectively, in this color.... This dye is obtained from cinnabar (mercury material) or red lead and is used in Hinduism.

The presence of sindura on a woman's forehead is a sign of her marriage. The first red bindi sign is applied during the wedding ceremony. With the invited guests, the groom performs Sinduradana (Sumangali), that is, he applies Sindur on the head of his bride, and at the same time pronounces the words of blessing.

A married woman should apply sindur not only as bindi, but also on her hair part.

Where did this tradition come from?

There is a mythological assumption. According to him, the color red symbolizes power and strength. Sindur himself personifies the patronage of the goddesses Parvati and Sati. Parvati gives happiness and blessing to all women who wear sindur on their parting. Sati personifies the standard of a married woman - faithful, loving her husband. But there is also a practical side to the Sindur tradition. It is believed to help fight premature aging, wrinkles and skin problems. In addition, it is a protection from evil thoughts.

Indian Muslim women also apply sindur. For them, he is also considered an indicator of marriage.

This powder is also used to identify wives and brides. Sometimes you can find ritual objects, doors and even roadside stones decorated with sindur. Especially if they are all dedicated.

The sacred hindu sign tilak and its meaning

Hindus believe that in this way they not only identify themselves with some kind of school, but also approach God, receive protection from him. On the forehead at the point between the eyebrows, the Lunar and Solar energies merge, therefore, by applying tilaka to this area, a person clears the mind and as if "tunes in to the wave" of divinity.

Tilaka can consist of red powder, abir, yogurt, rice flour. Also, the sign can be applied with clay, sandalwood paste, ash and any other substance that dictates their religious direction. So, tilak can be of different colors.

Tilaka - both a distinctive mark and a decoration... Depending on the specific religious direction of Hinduism, it can be different:

• For the followers of Vaishnavism (followers of Vishnu), tilaka is applied in the form of two vertical stripes connecting between the eyebrows. This is the symbol of Vishnu's feet. Sometimes a sign in the form of a tulasi leaf is superimposed on the bridge of the nose. For this clay is used (sometimes mixed with sandalwood paste) taken from sacred sites (such as Vrindavan) or rivers (such as Yamuna)... Tilaka in Vaisnava is called urdhva-pundra.
• Rakta-candana - tilaka, with the help of which the worship of the god Ganesha is shown. Red sandalwood paste is applied.
• Tripundra - looks like three horizontal lines created with ash on the forehead.
• Vira-tilaka and raja-tilaka. The first tilak is applied by a person if he belongs to the winning side in a game or war. The second tilak is also used on special occasions: for example, when receiving honorable guests or at a coronation.
• The followers of the madhva sampradaya apply tilaka, which looks like two vertical lines. They represent "" Krsna. If a person performs daily "yajna-kundas" (fire sacrifices), he adds between these lines a black stripe of ash, which is obtained precisely after the act of burning. A red or yellow dot is applied under the black line, symbolizing Radha or.
• Shaktas demonstrate their religious school by drawing tilaka in the form of a red dot or vertical line... To do this, use the dye turmeric, obtained from the root of turmeric.

For several millennia, there has been a tradition of applying tilak in India. Bindi is one of them.

No matter what religion a woman belongs to, she has the right to wear tilak as a decoration with a sacred meaning.

Bindi is known far beyond India. Western girls and women are gradually adopting the tradition of decorating their foreheads with these beautiful signs.

India ... An amazing country with extraordinary flavor and old traditions does not leave any travelers indifferent. For centuries, folk rituals have been strictly observed in this area, which is why it has its own unique culture, which has been continuously developing for more than 4500 years. During this significant period of time, it changed and underwent various metamorphoses. This largely concerns the national dress of the Hindus and how the dot on the forehead looked like in Indian women. Many would agree that the Indian national dress has a special ethnic originality, which makes it even more attractive.

A colorful country with ancient traditions

The national image in clothes has been formed for centuries under the influence of various factors, but it is worth noting that it has absorbed the best and now can rightfully be called elegant and comfortable. The most popular traditional women's garment today is the sari, which is invariably complemented by a dot on the Indian woman's forehead (the name of bindi or tilak). This piece of clothing is a piece of fabric measuring 4 to 9 meters, which the girl ties around her waist and throws over her shoulder, covering her chest. A sari must be worn with a petticoat and a blouse, 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 much more will be discussed further.

What does the dot on the forehead mean in Indian women?

This is not just a beautiful ethnic jewelry. It has its own meaning and history. one of the traditional elements of the image is precisely the dot on the forehead, which is famous among Indian women. It has several varieties and meanings. One of the types is tilak. It is applied with clay, ash or other substance. So what does the dot on the forehead mean in Indian women? Since India is a deeply religious country, it can have quite a few meanings that are in one way or another related to the worship of gods. But this is not the only purpose of tilak. In fact, he has a lot to say about origin and caste. It all depends on the material, color and place where the point is applied.

Varieties and traditional color

Fans of this beautiful piece of jewelry often ask themselves what is the name of the dot on the forehead of Indian women? Another variety is bindi. Like tilak, they vary in color. Most often in the vastness of Hindustan there is a black or red dot. It is worn by a woman bound by the knot, that is, married. Loose girls traditionally should not wear bindi. Many are interested in the question of why Indian women have a point on the forehead, and not between the eyebrows. The whole point is again in the religious worldview of the Hindus. They consider this to be the third eye that reveals wisdom. Although tilak, unlike bindi, can be found not only on the forehead, but also in other places, which, according to some, open the wisdom chakras.

A tradition that has become a fashionable trend all over the world

Today, tilak and bindi have spread widely beyond 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 look of girls in different countries. However, for the Indians themselves, it remains a traditional symbol that is important in the culture and everyday life of everyone. Few people delve into history in order to find out its origin. Arriving on a tourist visit to the country, girls should be extremely careful so as not to accidentally

Standard recipe

The composition of the bindi is quite simple. This red powder is nothing more than, although sometimes an oil or wax base is added to it. It is noteworthy that in ancient times, bindi also included cobra venom and ash. Quite a strange recipe, but who, if not the Hindus, know better from what this traditional element of the national image should be made. According to ancient legends, the composition of the bindi should be such that the dot is easily and accurately applied to the forehead and at the same time not smeared. The Hindus have successfully managed to create just such a combination of ingredients to make tillac as beautiful and easy to apply as possible. In Indian women, the dot on the forehead looks really great to this day.

A favorite decoration of modern girls

Girls train for quite a long time so that it turns out perfectly even. Today, the modern industry offers a huge number of artificial bindi-type jewelry. Girls wear it throughout almost all of South Asia. This accessory has pleased not only married women, for whom it was originally intended, but also simply stylish girls who want to stand out and keep up with fashion trends in the world of beauty. Initially, bindi was traditionally red in color 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, according to tradition, should not draw it during "these days." When India had not yet gained independence, a dot on the Indian woman's forehead spoke of her belonging to one of the castes, the same applies to tilaka, which some men inflicted on themselves. Indeed, each country has its own inimitable customs and traditions, and bindi and tilak are part of the great history of India, which should never be erased from memory.

The overwhelming majority of mature Indian women walk with a scarlet dot in the middle of their forehead. This sign symbolizes the woman's confession of Hinduism and the fact that she is married.

Name

More often this mark is called bindi.

The bindi of Indian women is a type of the sacred symbol of tilaka, which is applied to the bodies of Hindus in the form of decoration and a sign of adherence to religious teachings.

Bindi is more commonly seen on the forehead of women, but it is also found on men.

Dots on the foreheads of the inhabitants of India, depending on their adherence to one or another direction of Hinduism, vary in shape, size and raw materials used.

Value

The ritual of applying bindi to the face is several thousand years old.

According to legend, the dawn goddess Usha began to depict a miniature red circle on the forehead as a symbol of the rising daylight as a sign of greeting to her husband Surya, the sun god.

According to another version, the color red symbolizes blood and sacrifices to the gods in the hope of their mercy.

Much has been said about tilaka in folk legends and myths. For example, among brave heroes, he burned with fire, and in moments of deep sorrow and despair he could spontaneously disappear.

The central part of the face above the bridge of the nose is considered the location of the ajna chakra, better known as the third eye. It is believed that through ajna, a person loses the valuable vital energy of kundalini, and bindi blocks its evaporation, protecting its owner from the influence of evil forces and attracting good luck.

For a married woman, a red dot promises well-being and prosperity, and also reminds her of the sanctity of the marriage union.

In ancient times, girls, unmarried women and widows were allowed to adorn themselves with only black dots.

Raw materials for bindi

The method of applying bindi is extremely simple: Indian women dip their fingertips into cinnabar and, grabbing some of the product, leave an imprint between their eyebrows.

Without certain skills, it is not always possible to apply a point exactly. In this case, handy items will help out - metal circles or coins with a round hole.

Lead oxide, livestock blood and other natural dyes with a pronounced red hue are also suitable as raw materials for bindi.

Bindi these days

Bindi has already lost its original sacred meaning. Women of different ages, marital status and religions living in the countries of South and Southeast Asia adorn their faces with dots of different sizes and colors.

Felt, plastic or metal tilaka stickers have become very popular. The adhesive base does not cause difficulties in their application, and a large selection allows you to change them at least every day.

Extravagant beauties give preference to gilded or silvered bindi, decorated with sparkles, rhinestones, inlaid with precious stones.

In other countries, women with Indian roots or those who decided to convert to Hinduism also adorn themselves with bindi.

Tilak is often perceived as a style detail. At one time, many celebrities far from India and Hinduism appeared in public with a red dot between their eyebrows.