Guest guest Posted December 15, 2005 Report Share Posted December 15, 2005 or a big eye-catching round mark made on the forehead as adornment. Nowadays, with changing fashion, women try out all sorts of shapes and designs. It is, at times a straight vertical line or an oval, a triangle or miniature artistry ('alpana') made with a fine-tipped stick, dusted with gold and silver powder, studded with beads and crusted with glittering stones. The advent of the "sticker-bindi", made of felt with glue on one side, has not only added colors, shapes and sizes to the bindi but is an ingenious easy-to-use alternative to the powder. Today, bindi is more of a fashion statement than anything else, and the number of young performers sporting bindis is overwhelming even - in the West. A dot of perfect purity associated with marriage and femininity, steeped in years of culture and custom. The traditional Bindi symbolises the mystic third eye of a person, which indicates good omen. The practice of wearing a Bindi is a Vedic tradition that women follow as confirmation to the spirit of womanhood. When a bride steps over the threshold of her marital home with the red bindi on her forehead, is supposed to bode prosperity for the home she is entering. The bindi represents the woman's married status, in most of the North Indian communities but in South India it is a custom for all women and girls to wear a bindi. Even the men wear a kumkum mark on their forehead, especially for traditional ceremonies. A Tilaka is also applied in many Indian communities as a traditional custom when welcoming guests; it is a symbol of auspiciousness, good fortune and festivity. The Bindi is an adornment that lights up your face and gives it a focal point. Bindi, on the beloved's forehead is supposed to mesmerise her lover, Poets, through ages have composed poems and songs on the beautiful Bindiya of the damsel, attracting immense attention and being the first thing that catches the admirers eye. This little dot has always received a place of importance in Indian customs; it carries with it a wealth of meaning and is an on-going link with a very ancient custom and history. In the olden days, to get a perfect circle shape, women used a hollow circular disc. Firstly a paste or Vaseline was applied on the empty space in the disc whilst held in centre of the forehead. This was then covered with kumkum the disc was removed which gave a perfect round bindi. Today, the kumkum has been largely replaced by the "sticker-bindi". Made of felt and held with glue, providing an ingenious easy-to-use substitute. The sticker-bindi comes in attractive designs and vibrant colors decorated with crystals, beads, wirework and bells; some are truly exotic creations. In India, conservative women still use the age old kumkum or sindoor for making a bindi. Famous celebrities and Pop Stars have further promoted this expanding phenomenon of the Bindi. Madonna was the first celebrity who gave the bindi its newfound status and set a global trend, when she wore a bindi in her album 'Frozen'. Now you even see people like Liz Hurley and Cherie Blair adorning bindis with their exquisite Indian outfits. You will create a stunning modern bindi to adorn you and leave onlooker's speechless! Shopping Find Great Deals on Holiday Gifts at Shopping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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