what is the red dot on the forehead of hindus?

Question

i want to know if there are other colors and why they put it on their forehead?

Answer 1

The 'Red dot' on the forehead is not always only red and nor is it always a dot. The dot is called 'Kumkum' or 'Bindi', and when worn by men it is called 'Tilak' (mark). Usually Hindu women, priests, monks and worshippers wear it. Men wear it on auspicious occasions such as Puja (ritual worship), or marriage, or Arati (waving of lights) on festive occasions such as on Bhaai-duj, Karvaa Chaud or Paadwaa or Dasshera) or while embarking on, or upon return from a voyage or a campaign. It is also worn by Jains and Buddhists (even in China). Like all Hindu symbols,'red dot' has multiple meanings which are all valid at
the same time.

Ray
http://www.prophezine.com

Answer 2

Not only women, but Hindu men also wear a dot on the forehead, indicatingtheir third eye. The pottu is a very auspicious symbol, reminding those who wear it of their spiritual heritage and ideals, wherever they may be. It also serves to identify a Hindu among the members of all other religions. Muslim girls often cover their face with a veil. Christian girls wear a cross. Jewish boys wear small leather cases holding scriptural passages. Men and women of a particular faith often wish to identify themselves to each other, and they do so by wearing religious symbols which generally are blessed in their temples, churches and synagogues. In many cases, a dot on the Hindu woman's forehead is similar to a beauty mark, just as European women used to wear a black dot on their cheek as a beauty mark. An unmarried girl wears a black dot, and a married girl a red one. Today, the dot's color complements the color of a lady's sari. "Wearing a dot on the forehead is largely a cultural symbol or a beauty symbol." The dot in the middle of the forehead of the Hindu woman is a beauty mark not unlike the beauty marks European and early American women used to wear on the cheek.

In the old days, Hindu men and women wore these marks, and they both also wore earrings. The dot has a mystical meaning, for it represents the Third Eye or spiritual sight which Hindus seek to awaken through yoga. Today, only the most traditional men observe this, but women continue to follow these traditions.

Answer 3

The red dot is called as Tilaka (symbol on the forehead or between the eyebrows)
The tilaka (or tilak) is a mark worn on the forehead and other parts of the body for spiritual reasons. Hindus traditionally wear tilaka, in one form or another, as a mark of faith in a particular tradition. Hindus may wear tilaka always or especially on religious occasions.
The shape of the tilaka often represents devotion to a certain deity: dot denotes the god like durga.and aome have 'U' shape for Vishnu, three horizontal lines for Shiva. Some Hindus meld both in an amalgam marker signifying Hari-Hara (Vishnu-Shiva).
To denote marriage and auspiciousness, married women today commonly wear on the forehead a decorative dot, or bindī.

Answer 4

Red dot - danger i am married and u may be beaten by my husband

but now a days women put matching color "bindis" on their forehead.. to match with the color of their costumes

Answer 5

The red dot is because their husbands smoke during sex!

http://www.total-knowledge.com/~willyblues/

Answer 6

there are deep spiritual meanings for it that I don't know. but I'd rather say, it's a target for snipers, very challenging. Sorry, no offense, just joking.

Answer 7

It is supposed to represent the woman’s’ caste (social standing).

Answer 8

It is a symbol for Indian royalty.

Answer 9

the eye of the God

in their belief

....... crazy if u ask me

there is only but one God....not 365

Answer 10

I think it's a caste mark.