Abindi (fromSanskritbindú meaning "point, drop, dot or small particle")[1][2] is a coloured dot or, in modern times, asticker worn on the centre of the forehead, by Hindus, Jains and Buddhists from theIndian subcontinent in place of thetilak. Whilst the modern stick-on bindis are only worn by women following Indian religions, women may also usesandalwood paste or create a tilak usingkajal as is the original practice followed by both men and women.
A bindi is a bright dot of some colour applied in the centre of the forehead close to theeyebrows or in the middle of the forehead that is worn in the Indian subcontinent (particularly amongst female Hindus inIndia,Nepal,Bhutan, andSri Lanka)[3] and Southeast Asia amongBalinese,Javanese,Sundanese,Malaysian,Singaporean,Vietnamese, andMyanmar Hindus. A similar marking is also worn by babies and children inChina and, as in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, represents the opening of thethird eye.[4] InHinduism,Buddhism, andJainism the bindi is associated with theajnachakra, andBindu[5] is known as thethird eye chakra.Bindu is the point or dot around which themandala is created, representing the universe.[6][7] The bindi has a religious, historical and cultural presence in the region ofIndia and with the Hindu,Indian diaspora around the world.[8][9]
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Traditionally, the area between the eyebrows (where the bindi is placed) is said to be the sixthchakra,ajna, the seat of "concealed wisdom". The bindi is said to retain energy and strengthen concentration. The bindi also represents thethird eye.[10] TheNasadiya Sukta of the Rig Veda, the earliest known Sanskrit text, mentions the wordBindu.[11]
TheAjna is symbolised by asacred lotus with two petals, and corresponds to the colours violet, indigo or deep blue, though it is traditionally described as white. It is at this point that the two sides NadiIda (yoga) and Pingala are said to terminate and merge with the central channel Sushumna, signifying the end of duality, the characteristic of being dual (e.g.light anddark, ormale andfemale). Theseed syllable for this chakra is the syllable OM, and the presiding deity isArdhanarishvara, who is a half male, half female Shiva/Shakti. The Shakti goddess of Ajna is called Hakini. In metaphysics,Bindu is considered the dot or point at which creation begins and may become unity. It is also described as "the sacred symbol of the cosmos in its unmanifested state".[3][6] Bindu is the point around which themandala is created, representing the universe.[7]Ajna's key issues involve balancing the higher and lower selves and trusting inner guidance. Ajna's inner aspect relates to the access of intuition. Mentally, Ajna deals with visual consciousness. Emotionally,Ajna deals with clarity on an intuitive level.[5]
In Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, bindi is associated with Ajna Chakra andBindu.[5] Divinities in these religions are typically depicted withBhrumadhyaBindu, in meditative pose with their eyes nearly closed show the gaze focused between eyebrows, other spot being the tip of the nose—Naasikagra. The very spot between the eyebrows known as Bhrumadhya is where one focuses one's sight, so that it helps concentration.[7]
The bindi has multiple meanings:
The bindi continues to hold symbolic significance rooted in Indian mythology and is traditionally associated with Hindu culture. "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."
A traditional bindi is red or maroon in colour as it mimicssindoor orkumkum which is used as part Hindu religious ceremonies and rituals along withsandalwood,turmeric and ash. A pinch of vermilion powder is applied with a ring-finger to make a dot. A small annular disc aids application for beginners. First, a sticky wax paste is applied through the empty centre of the disc. This is then covered with kumkum or vermilion and then the disc is removed to get a round bindi. Various materials such aslac, sandal, "aguru",mica, "kasturi", kumkum (made of red turmeric) andsindoor colour the dot. Saffron ground together with"kusumba" flower can also work. Traditionally they are green in colour with a red dot in the middle.[16] The bindi is no longer restricted in colour or shape.[17][18]
Historically, the ornamental bindi spangle consists of a small piece of lac over which is smeared vermilion, while above it a piece of mica or thin glass is fixed for ornament. Women wore large spangles set in gold with a border of jewels if they could afford it. The bindi was made and sold by lac workers known asLakhera.[19] In Hinduism, it's part of theSuhāg orlucky trousseau at marriages and is affixed to the girl's forehead on her wedding and thereafter always worn.[18] Unmarried girls optionally wore small ornamental spangles on their foreheads. A widow was not allowed to wear bindi or any ornamentation associated with married women.[18] In modern times, self-adhesive bindis are available in various materials, usually made of felt or thin metal and adhesive on the other side. These are simple to apply, disposable substitutes for older lac tikli bindis. Sticker bindis come in many colours, designs, materials, and sizes.
There are different regional variations of the bindi. In Maharashtra a largecrescent moon shaped bindi is worn with a smaller black dot underneath or above, associated withChandrabindu andBindu chakra represented by crescent moon, they are commonly known asChandrakor in this region, outside Maharashtra they are popularly known asMarathi bindi. In Bengal region a large round red bindi is worn, brides in this region are often decorated withAlpana design on forehead and cheeks, along with bindi. In southern India a smaller red bindi is worn with a white tilak at the bottom, another common type is a redtilak shaped bindi. In Rajasthan the bindi is often worn round. Longtilak shaped bindi are also common, as well as the crescent moon on some occasions. Decorative bindis have become popular among women in South Asia, regardless of religious background. Bindis are a staple and symbolic for women in the Indian subcontinent.[20]
In addition to the bindi, in India, avermilion mark in the parting of the hair just above the forehead is worn by married women as a symbol of life-long commitment to their husbands. During all Hindu marriage ceremonies, the groom applies sindoor in the part in the bride's hair.[21]
Apart from their cosmetic use, bindis have found a modern medical application in India. Iodine patch bindis have often been used among women in north-west Maharashtra to battle iodine deficiency.[22]
InSoutheast Asia, bindis are worn by theBalinese,Javanese, andSundanese people ofIndonesia. For example, bindis are often worn by brides and grooms inJava and other parts ofIndonesia, regardless of their religious beliefs.
The Indonesian practice of wearing a bindi originated from the cultural influence brought about by theIndianized Hindu kingdoms that once ruled Indonesia. Historically, other Indianized kingdoms inSoutheast Asia also took part in this practice.
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Teep ortip, similar to bindis, are part ofBengali culture and women inWest Bengal, India andBangladesh, irrespective of their religion, adorn themselves with teeps as an ethnic practice.[23][24][25][26] By the 18th century the use of teeps had become very common.[27] It's popular in celebrations likeDurga Puja,Pohela Boishakh,Pohela Falgun,Eid al-Fitr,Eid al-Adha and other occasions.
Bengali Muslims approve wearing the teep as a cultural representation as long as there is no intention of imitating the bindi culture of other religions. Depending on the occasion the colours of teep change, such as red and white for Pohela Boishakh, green, orange and yellow forPohela Falgun, blue and white forBarsha Mangal, brown and mustard colour forNabanna, purple and pink for Eid Al Fitr and black forInternational mother Language Day,Eid Al Adha, red and green forIndependence Day andVictory Day.Bengali Muslim brides wearing "kalka tip" on their forehead is an old tradition of Bangladesh.[28]
InSindh, some Muslim Sindhi women apply a black dot or line by "Kajjal or Surmo (kohl)" on the forehead and chin, and sometimes three dots or lines around eyes as part of historic Indian traditions that have sustained post-Partition. As anamulet believed to protect against the evil-eye, these dots are called Tikro or the Hindi 'Tilak' (singular), or Tikra (plural).[29]
Like in India, in Sindh, when a child is born, black dots/marks and lines are drawn on their faces. In modern times, stick-on bindiyas of different shapes and designs have become very common in rural Sindh, and are applied by both Muslims and Hindus. However, this is in decline as it is considered to be appropriately used by Sindhi Hindus only.
Back in time in Sindh the brides were applied many dots of "Tira" (moles) drawn upon their face and lips with needles dipped inantimony and other colouring matters.[30]
The type of forehead tattoo called Khaal or Sheen Khal was also common among Afghan andPashtun women,[31][32] although it is no longer done for religious reasons. As in Sindh, dots are made using kohl or other material. Bindis are also used bySaraiki and someBaloch tribal women of Pakistan. However, manyMuhajir andPunjabi consider the use of bindis to be un-Islamic. Due to this, the use of bindis has declined in many urban areas of Pakistan.
Bindis are sometimes worn purely for decorative purpose or style statement without any religious or cultural affiliation.[34] Decorative and ornamental bindis were introduced to other parts of the world by immigrants from the Indian subcontinent.[35] International celebrities such asGwen Stefani,Julia Roberts,[36]Madonna,[37]Selena Gomez and many others have been seen wearing bindis.[38] The appropriateness of such uses has been disputed. Reacting to Gomez wearing a bindi while singing her song "Come and Get It", Hindu leaderRajan Zed said that the bindi has religious significance and should not be used as a fashion accessory,[39] but Indian actressPriyanka Chopra praised Gomez's choice as "an embrace of Indian culture".[40] Additionally, several rappers have adopted jewelled bindis, most notablyLil Uzi Vert, who debuted a $24 million pink diamond bindi in February 2021. They were inspired byLil B who wore a diamond bindi in 2012.[41]
A bindi can also be called:[42]
borrowed from Hindibindī, literally, "dot, mark" (or a cognate Indo-Aryan word), going back to the Middle Indo-Aryan and Sanskrit stembindu- "drop, spot," it's worn by Hindu, Buddhist, Jaina and some Sikhs
English word bindi comes from Hindi बिंदी
