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potential energy in the human body
and thereby controlled the various levels of concentration.
Bindis were originally made of “kumkum”
(made of red tumeric or finely powdered bright red mercuric
sulphide) and “sindoor” (made of zinc oxide
and dye). “Sindoor” also means red in Indian,
and represents one’s strength. In addition, sometimes
Saffron ground together with flowers was also used to
create unique colors. The conventional sticker Bindi,
made of velvet, came into existence over a couple of
decades ago and is moving from strength to strength.
These Bindis come in all colors, sizes and shapes like
that of a star, half-moon, clover, heart, tear, leaf
or even a snake.
So while the Bindi lives on in many minds figuratively
and literally, as a traditional symbol of auspiciousness
as well as an important fashion accessory, the Bindi
is here to stay, to embellish the foreheads of women
in the present and the future, in India and elsewhere. |
