This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Gallileo2k (talk | contribs) at 21:24, 4 August 2006 (it's worn by non-hindu women too,). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 21:24, 4 August 2006 by Gallileo2k (talk | contribs) (it's worn by non-hindu women too,)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
A bindi (which means "dot" in Hindi) is a forehead decoration worn in South and Southeast Asia. It can also be called a pottu or a tilaka.
Married Hindu women traditionally wear a bindi on their foreheads. The traditional bindi is made with red sindoor powder or perhaps a black ointment. It is applied over the ajna, or forehead chakra, a center of bodily and spiritual energy that represents the third, or "spiritual" eye in Hindu belief. The bindi is believed to prevent the loss of "energy", as well as bringing spiritual protection against demons or bad luck. See tilaka for further discussion of the spiritual meaning of the bindi.
In the contemporary age, the bindi has become a decorative item and is worn by unmarried as well as non-Hindu women, in India, Bangladesh and other countries of South Asia. It is no longer restricted in colour or shape. Self-adhesive bindis made from felt in various designs and colours are now available.
Outside South Asia, bindis may be worn by women of the South Asian diaspora. Some Westerners who have converted to Hindu sects like the Hare Krishna may wear bindis. Sometimes they are worn as a style statement. Pop singer Gwen Stefani wears bindis.
The bindi is often associated with women, but in fact it can be worn, either by itself or as part of a more elaborate caste-mark (naamam) by tradition-minded Hindu men.