Bindi (decoration)

Religious Significance and Symbolism

The bindi is associated with the ajna chakra and represents the third eye.
It is worn by Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs from the Indian subcontinent.
The bindi retains energy and strengthens concentration.
The Nasadiya Sukta of the Rig Veda mentions the word 'Bindu.'
It symbolizes the creation of the universe.
The ajna chakra is the sixth chakra located between the eyebrows.
It is associated with concealed wisdom and intuition.
The bindu is the point around which the mandala representing the universe is created.
The pineal gland, linked to the ajna chakra, produces the hormone melatonin.
Ajna deals with balancing the higher and lower selves and accessing inner guidance.
Bhrumadhya is the point in the center of the forehead, also known as the third eye.
It helps with concentration and focus.
In Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, divinities are depicted with their gaze focused between the eyebrows.
It is associated with the Ajna Chakra and Bindu.
The traditional bindi represents and preserves symbolic significance in Indian mythology.
The red bindi is a cosmetic mark used to enhance beauty.
It represents honor, love, and prosperity in Hinduism.
It is worn to help concentration during meditation.
The point between the eyebrows is where one focuses sight for concentration.
Swami Muktananda describes it as the Gurus seat and the command center for spiritual practice.

A traditional bindi is red or maroon in color.
Vermilion powder is applied with a ring finger to create the dot.
Various materials like lac, sandal, aguru, mica, and kumkum color the bindi.
Ornamental bindis were made and sold by lac workers.
In Hinduism, the bindi is part of the lucky trousseau at marriages and is worn by married women.

Felt or thin metal adhesive bindis are simple to apply and disposable substitutes for older lac tikli bindis.
Sticker bindis come in various colors, designs, materials, and sizes.
In Maharashtra, a large crescent moon-shaped bindi is worn with a smaller black dot underneath or above, known as Chandrakor.
In Bengal, a large round red bindi is worn, often accompanied by Alpana designs on the forehead and cheeks.
In southern India, a smaller red bindi is worn with a white tilak at the bottom, and a red tilak-shaped bindi is also common.

In Maharashtra, the large crescent moon-shaped bindi is associated with Chandrabindu and Bindu chakra.
In Bengal, a large round red bindi is popular.
In southern India, a smaller red bindi is worn with a white tilak at the bottom.
In Rajasthan, round and long tilak-shaped bindis are common.
Decorative bindis have become popular among women in South Asia, regardless of religious background.

Bindis are worn by Balinese, Javanese, and Sundanese people in Indonesia.
The practice of wearing bindis in Indonesia originated from the influence of Indianized Hindu kingdoms.
Other Indianized kingdoms in Southeast Asia also adopted the practice of wearing bindis.
Bindis are worn by brides and grooms in Java and other parts of Indonesia, irrespective of their religious beliefs.
Bindis are part of Bengali culture, and women in West Bengal, India, and Bangladesh adorn themselves with teeps.
Teeps, similar to bindis, are part of Bengali culture in West Bengal, India, and Bangladesh.
Teeps are worn irrespective of religious affiliation and are popular in various celebrations and occasions.
The colors of teeps vary depending on the occasion, such as red and white for Pohela Boishakh and green, orange, and yellow for Pohela Falgun.
Bengali brides traditionally wear Kolka Tip on their forehead in Bangladesh.
Muslim Sindhi women in Sindh, Pakistan, traditionally apply black dots or lines called Tikro or Tilk for beautification and tradition.

Bindis and other religious markings are worn by recent Hindu converts like Hare Krishnas.
Bindis are sometimes worn purely for decorative purposes or as a style statement without any religious or cultural affiliation.
Decorative and ornamental bindis have been introduced to other parts of the world by immigrants from the Indian subcontinent.
International celebrities such as Gwen Stefani, Julia Roberts, Madonna, and Selena Gomez have been seen wearing bindis.
The appropriateness of wearing bindis as a fashion accessory has been disputed, with some Hindu leaders emphasizing their religious significance.

Reference	URL
Glossary	https://harryandcojewellery.com.au/blogs/glossary/bindi-decoration
Wikipedia	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bindi_(decoration)
Wikidata	https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q747901
Knowledge Graph	https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/m/049m1p