Bindi

{{See also|Ajna|Chakra|Bindu (symbol)|Tilaka}}

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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.{{cite web|url=http://hinduism.about.com/od/bindis/a/bindi.htm|title=Bindi: The Great Indian Forehead Art|last=Das|first=Subhamoy|access-date=16 February 2009|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202024552/http://hinduism.about.com/od/bindis/a/bindi.htm|url-status=dead}} The bindi also represents the third eye.{{cite news | title = Couples Fuel India's Vibrant Art Scene | date = 13 October 2011 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/14/arts/14iht-rartcouples14.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&sq=bindi&st=cse&scp=1 | work = The New York Times | access-date = 20 October 2011}}

The Nasadiya Sukta of the Rig Veda, the earliest known Sanskrit text, mentions the word Bindu.{{cite web|url=http://loudthinkingkeyargomes.blogspot.ca/2012/09/nasadiya-suktha-and-purusha-suktha.html|title=nasadiya-suktha-and-purusha-suktha|date=21 September 2012}}

File:Female figure with hair ornaments, terracotta, 200-250 BCE.jpg

The Ajna is symbolised by a sacred 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 Nadi Ida (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 and dark, or male and female). The seed syllable for this chakra is the syllable OM, and the presiding deity is Ardhanarishvara, 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". Bindu is the point around which the mandala is created, representing the universe. 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.

File:Prajnaparamita Java.jpg Bhrumadhya Bindu known as inner gaze. Bhrumadhya is the point in the centre of the forehead commonly referred to as the third eye, or centre of consciousness.]]

In Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, bindi is associated with Ajna Chakra and Bindu. Divinities in these religions are typically depicted with Bhrumadhya Bindu, 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.

File:Yakshi. Bharhut, Satna, C. 2nd cent BC. Bhopal Museum.jpg during this period]]

The bindi has multiple meanings:

• Archaeology has yielded clay female figurines from the Indus Valley with red pigment on the forehead and hair parting. It is unclear whether this held any religious or cultural significance.{{cite book|last1=M. Kenoyer|first1=Jonathan|title=Ancient Cities of the Indus Valley Civilization|date=1998|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=0195779401|page=186|edition=1st}}
• In Hinduism, the colour red represents honour, love, and prosperity, hence bindis are worn to symbolise these qualities after marriage in particular.{{cite book|last1=Pintchman|first1=Tracy|title=Women's Lives, Women's Rituals in the Hindu Tradition|url=https://archive.org/details/womensliveswomen00pint|url-access=limited|date=2007|publisher=Oxford|isbn=978-0195177060|pages=[https://archive.org/details/womensliveswomen00pint/page/n106 90]–97}}
• In meditation, the point between the eyebrows (Bhrumadhya) is where one focuses one's sight, to help concentration. Most images of Hindu, Jain or Buddhist divinities in meditative poses with their eyes nearly closed show the gaze focused between the eyebrows (another spot being the tip of the nose—naasikagra)
• Swami Muktananda writes that "auspicious Kumkuma or sandalwood paste is applied (between the eyebrows) out of respect for the inner Guru. It is the Guru's seat. There is a chakra (centre of spiritual energy within the human body) here called Ajna chakra, meaning 'Command centre'. Here is received the Guru's command to go higher in Sadhana (spiritual practice) to the 'Sahasraar' (seventh and final chakra) which leads to Self-realisation. The flame seen at the eyebrow is called 'Guru Jyoti'."From Finite to Infinite, by Swami Muktananda, SYDA Foundation, S. Fallsburg, New York, 1989, pp. 88–89
• The encyclopaedic Dictionary of Yoga reports that this 'Ajna Chakra' is also called the 'Third eye'. This centre is connected with the sacred syllable 'Om' and presiding, is 'Parashiva'. On activating this centre, the aspirant overcomes 'Ahankāra' (the ego or sense of individuality), the last stop on the path of spirituality.Encyclopedic Dictionary of Yoga, by Georg Fuerstein, Paragon House Publishers, New York, 1990, p. 15

Despite having a strong religious origin and significance, some Muslim women from South Asia choose to wear the bindi as a fashion accessory. 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."

File:HinduBrideIndia.jpg]]

A traditional bindi is red or maroon in colour. 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 as lac, sandal, "aguru", mica, "kasturi", kumkum (made of red turmeric) and sindoor colour the dot. Saffron ground together with "kusumba" flower can also work.{{cite news | title = Bindi: The Great Indian Forehead Art | url = http://hinduism.about.com/od/bindis/a/bindi.htm | work = About.com | access-date = 9 January 2012 | archive-date = 2 February 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170202024552/http://hinduism.about.com/od/bindis/a/bindi.htm | url-status = dead }} Traditionally they are green in colour with a red dot in the middle.{{cite book|title=The book of Hindu festivals and ceremonies|last=Bahadur|first=Om Lata|isbn=81-86112-23-5|publisher=UBS Publishers Distributors ltd.|year=1996|location=New Delhi|edition=3rd|page=[https://archive.org/details/bookofhindufesti0000baha/page/168 168]|url=https://archive.org/details/bookofhindufesti0000baha/page/168}} The bindi is no longer restricted in colour or shape.Khadi and Village Industries Commission, Government of IndiaParvesh Handa, "Home Beauty Clinic", Pustak Mahal, {{ISBN|81-223-0099-5}}

File:Lac Bindis.jpg workers known as Lakhera.]]

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 as Lakhera.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gutenberg.org/files/20668/20668-h/20668-h.htm|title=The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India—Volume IV}} In Hinduism, it's part of the Suhāg or lucky trousseau at marriages and is affixed to the girl's forehead on her wedding and thereafter always worn. 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. 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.

File:Maker unknown, India - Krishna and Radha - Google Art Project.jpg as Radha with ornamental bindi spangle, {{Circa|1750}}]]

There are different regional variations of the bindi. In Maharashtra a large crescent moon shaped bindi is worn with a smaller black dot underneath or above, associated with Chandrabindu and Bindu chakra represented by crescent moon, they are commonly known as Chandrakor in this region, outside Maharashtra they are popularly known as Marathi bindi. In Bengal region a large round red bindi is worn, brides in this region are often decorated with Alpana 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 red tilak shaped bindi. In Rajasthan the bindi is often worn round. Long tilak 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.Priyabala Shah (April 1986) "Tilaka: Hindu marks on the forehead", p.88

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 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.{{cite book|last=Gwynne|first=Paul|title=World Religions in Practice: A Comparative Introduction|year=2009|publisher=Blackwell Publishing|location=Maiden, MA|isbn=9781444360059|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tdsRKc_knZoC&q=Sindoor+wedding+groom&pg=RA5-PT91}}

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.{{cite news|last1=Dhar|first1=Shobha|title=Iodine bindis for tribal women to fight deficiency|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Iodine-bindis-for-tribal-women-to-fight-deficiency/articleshow/46884611.cms|access-date=25 July 2015|agency=The Times of India|publisher=TNN|date=11 April 2015}}

File:Bali-Danse 0717a.jpg dancer with a white bindi]]

{{See also|Balinese Hinduism|Greater India}}

In Southeast Asia, bindis are worn by the Balinese, Javanese, and Sundanese people of Indonesia. For example, bindis are often worn by brides and grooms in Java and other parts of Indonesia, regardless of their religious beliefs.

The Indonesian practice of wearing a bindi originated from the cultural influence brought about by the Indianized Hindu kingdoms that once ruled Indonesia. Historically, other Indianized kingdoms in Southeast Asia also took part in this practice.

File:Festival_of_Colors_(7409586600).jpg girl from Bangladesh wearing Teep on the occasion of Pohela Boishakh]]

Teep or tip, similar to bindis, are part of Bengali culture and women in West Bengal, India and Bangladesh, irrespective of their religion, adorn themselves with teeps as an ethnic practice.{{Cite web |last=চৌধুরী |first=মধুমন্তী |date=September 22, 2015 |title=পুজোর বাজারে সাবেকি টিপ |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/entertainment/puja-fashion-on-teep-and-bindia-1.211756 |access-date=December 25, 2023 |website=Anandabazar Online}}{{cite web | url=https://www.thedailystar.net/tags/teep | title=Teep }}{{Cite web |last=P.K.BALACHANDRAN |date=2019-04-17 |title=Bangladesh Asserts its Bengali Identity in Mass Celebration of Pohela Boishak |url=https://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/5/16732/Bangladesh-Asserts-its-Bengali-Identity-in-Mass-Celebration-of-Pohela-Boishak-- |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=www.thecitizen.in |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=March 2020 |title=টিপটপ টিপ |url=https://www.kalerkantho.com/feature/a2z/2020/03/22/889166 |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=www.kalerkantho.com}} By the 18th century the use of teeps had become very common.{{Cite web |last=ইসলাম |first=সায়েদুল |date=April 2, 2022 |title=বাঙালি নারীদের মধ্যে টিপ পরার প্রচলন শুরু হলো যেভাবে |url=https://www.bbc.com/bengali/news-60988562.amp |access-date=December 25, 2023 |website=BBC}} It's popular in celebrations like Durga 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 for Pohela Falgun, blue and white for Barsha Mangal, brown and mustard colour for Nabanna, purple and pink for Eid Al Fitr and black for International mother Language Day, Eid Al Adha, red and green for Independence Day and Victory Day. Bengali Muslim brides wearing "kalka tip" on their forehead is an old tradition of Bangladesh.[https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php/Kalka Kalka]. Banglapedia.

In Sindh, 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 continued post-Partition. As an amulet believed to protect against evil-eye, these dots are called Tikro or Tilk (singular), or Tikra (plural).{{Cite web |title=ٽڪو2 : (Sindhianaسنڌيانا) |url=http://www.encyclopediasindhiana.org/article.php?Dflt=%D9%BD%DA%AA%D9%882 |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=www.encyclopediasindhiana.org |language=sd}}

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 in antimony and other colouring matters.{{Cite book |last=Burton |first=Sir Richard Francis |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RZQMzQLsyk0C |title=Sindh, and the Races that Inhabit the Valley of the Indus |date=1851 |publisher=W. H. Allen |language=en}}

The type of forehead tattoo called Khaal or Sheen Khal was also common among Afghan and Pashtun women,{{Cite web |date=2021-05-24 |title=Khaal, The Tattoo of Afghan Womxn |url=https://www.herculture.org/blog/2021/3/31/khaal-the-tattoo-of-afghan-womxn |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=Her Culture |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Khan |first=Moxet |date=2020-11-25 |title=Sheen Khal / blue tattoo are the Beauty Marks for Pakhtun females |url=https://pukhtoogle.com/sheen-khal-blue-tattoo-are-the-beauty-marks-for-pakhtun-females/ |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=Pukhtoogle |language=en-US}} although it is no longer done for religious reasons. As in Sindh, dots are made using kohl or other material. Bindis are also used by Saraiki and some Baloch tribal women of Pakistan. However, many Muhajir and Punjabi consider the use of bindis to be un-Islamic. Due to this, the use of bindis has declined in many urban areas of Pakistan.

File:2012-08 Woodstock 12.jpg.{{cite web|url=http://www.sadananda.com/|title=Svami Sadananda Dasa: Disciple of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati and Guru of Vamandas (Walther Eidlitz)|work=sadananda.com|access-date=1 October 2015|archive-date=26 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926042014/http://www.sadananda.com/|url-status=live}}]]

Bindis are sometimes worn purely for decorative purpose or style statement without any religious or cultural affiliation.[http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20160522184733/http://www.nguoi-viet.com/absolutenm2/templates/?a=139901&z=268 Khu phố Little India ở Artesia], Nguoi Viet Online, 11 November 2011, Retrieved 22 November 2011 Decorative and ornamental bindis were introduced to other parts of the world by immigrants from the Indian subcontinent.[http://www.elperiodic.com/denia/noticias/146263_juventud-organiza-mercadillo-solidario-beneficio-fundacion-vicente-ferrer.html Juventud organiza un mercadillo solidario a beneficio de la Fundación Vicente Ferrer] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407012251/http://www.elperiodic.com/denia/noticias/146263_juventud-organiza-mercadillo-solidario-beneficio-fundacion-vicente-ferrer.html |date=7 April 2012 }}, elperiodic.com, 17 November 2011. Retrieved 22 November 2011 International celebrities such as Gwen Stefani, Julia Roberts,{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8270556.stm | work=BBC News | title='Pretty Woman' in temple upset | date=23 September 2009 | access-date=26 April 2010 | archive-date=29 September 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090929194226/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8270556.stm | url-status=live }} Madonna,{{cite news | title = Try a bindi now with Western wear | date = 6 October 2011 | url = http://punjabnewsline.com/content/try-bindi-now-western-wear/29719 | work = Punjab Newsline | access-date = 20 October 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120330081155/http://punjabnewsline.com/content/try-bindi-now-western-wear/29719 | archive-date = 30 March 2012 | url-status = dead }} Selena Gomez and many others have been seen wearing bindis.{{Cite web|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/selena-gomez-causes-controversy-wearing-bindi-mtv-movie-awards-I533548|title = Should Selena Gomez apologize for wearing a bindi at the MTV Movie| date=17 April 2013 }} The appropriateness of such uses has been disputed. Reacting to Gomez wearing a bindi while singing her song "Come and Get It", Hindu leader Rajan Zed said that the bindi has religious significance and should not be used as a fashion accessory,{{cite web | last = Sieczkowski| first = Cavan | title = Selena Gomez Bindi: Hindu Leaders Demand Apology For MTV Movie Awards Costume| website = Huffington Post| date = 16 April 2013| url = https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/16/selena-gomez-bindi-mtv-movie-awards_n_3092129.html| access-date = 25 September 2015}} but Indian actress Priyanka Chopra praised Gomez's choice as "an embrace of Indian culture".{{cite magazine | last = DelliCarpini | first = Gregory Jr. | title = Selena Gomez's Bindi Styling: Offensive? Bollywood Star Priyanka Chopra Talks About the Star's Usage | magazine = Billboard | date = 22 May 2013 | url = https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-hook/1563147/selena-gomezs-bindi-styling-offensive-bollywood-star-priyanka | access-date = 25 September 2015 | archive-date = 24 September 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924215913/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-hook/1563147/selena-gomezs-bindi-styling-offensive-bollywood-star-priyanka | url-status = live }} Additionally, several rappers have adopted jewelled bindis, most notably Lil Uzi Vert, who debuted a $24 million pink diamond bindi in February 2021. They were inspired by Lil B who wore a diamond bindi in 2012.{{Cite web|title=Lil Uzi Vert's $24 Million Forehead Diamond Was Inspired by Lil B|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/lil_uzi_verts_24_million_forehead_diamond_was_inspired_by_lil_b|access-date=2021-02-17|website=exclaim.ca|language=en-ca}}

File:Bindi Tamil Lady.jpg

A bindi can also be called:{{cite web | url = http://lifestyle.in.msn.com/gallery/photoviewer.aspx?cp-documentid=4248259 | title = Dazzling bindis | access-date = 20 October 2011 | date = 10 October 2011 | work = MSN India | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111012051854/http://lifestyle.in.msn.com/gallery/Photoviewer.aspx?cp-documentid=4248259 | archive-date = 12 October 2011 | url-status = dead }}

• Phot or Phut (literally meaning a small pressing mark) in Assamese
• Tip (literally meaning "a pressing") in Bengali
• Tikuli (literally meaning "a small tika") in Madhyadeshi areas
• Chandlo (literally meaning moon shape) in Gujarati
• Tilaka in Hindi
• Tika in Nepali
• Kunkuma or Bottu or Tilaka in Kannada
• Tilakaya in Sinhala
• Tikli in Konkani
• Kunkoo or Tikali in Marathi
• Tikili in Odia
• Bindi in Punjabi meaning long red mark
• Pottu in Tamil and Malayalam
• Bottu, Kunkuma, or Tilakam in Telugu
• Tikli in Maithili
• Tyok in Kashmiri
• Tilkodi in Sindhi

• Huadian, a traditional Chinese forehead decoration
• Thirunamam
• Tilaka
• Urna
• Vibhuti, sacred ash applied across the forehead

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