Bindi

Bindi (decoration)

A bindi (Hindi:, from Sanskrit bindu, meaning "a drop, small particle, dot"; see below for alternative designations) is a forehead decoration worn in South Asia (particularly India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Mauritius) and Southeast Asia. Traditionally it is a bright dot of red colour applied in the centre of the forehead close to the eyebrows, but it can also consist of other colours with a sign or piece of jewelry worn at this location.

Religious significance

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. The bindi also represents the third eye.The Nasadiya Sukta of the Rig Veda, the earliest known Sanskrit text, mentions the word vindu/bindu.
The red bindi has multiple meanings which are all valid at the same time. It is also a spiritual symbol.
By one simple interpretation it is a cosmetic mark used to enhance beauty.
From Vedic times, the bindi was created as a means to worship one's intellect. Therefore, it was used by both men and women. The worship of intellect was in order to use it to ensure our thoughts, speech, actions, habits and ultimately our character becomes pure. A strong intellect can help one to make noble decisions in life, be able to stand up to challenges in life with courage, and recognise and welcome good thoughts in life. The belief was that on this a strong individual, a strong family and strong society can be formed.
In meditation, this very spot between the eyebrows (Bhrumadhya) is where one focuses his/her sight, so that it helps concentration. Most images of Buddha or Hindu divinities in meditative pose with their eyes nearly closed show the gaze focused between eyebrows (other spot being the tip of the nose – naasikagra).
Alternative terms

A bindi can be called:

    Phot (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 in Gujarati meaning moon shape
    Tilak in Hindi
    Tilaka in Kannada
    Kunkuma or Bottu or Tilaka in Kannada
    Tilakaya in Sinhala
    Tilo in Konkani
    Kunkoo or Tikli in Marathi
    Tikili in Odia    Bindi in Punjabi meaning long red mark
    Pottu in Malayalam and Tamil
    Chukka or Bottu or Tilakam in Telugu
    Gopi dots are the small dots over the eyebrows used in marriage or festivals.
    Nande is a term erroneously used to describe a bindi in Malaysia. It may contain pejorative connotations although not in most cases.
    Tika in Nepali

How to Apply

Traditional bindi is red or maroon in color. A pinch of vermilion powder applied skillfully with practiced fingertip make the perfect red dot. Women who are not nimble-fingered take great pains to get the perfect round. They use small circular discs or hollow pie coin as aid. First they apply a sticky wax paste on the empty space in the disc. This is then covered with kumkum or vermilion and then the disc is removed to get a perfect round bindi. Sandal, 'aguru', 'kasturi', 'kumkum' (made of red turmeric) and 'sindoor' (made of zinc oxide and dye) make this special red dot. Saffron ground together with 'kusumba' flower can also create the magic!