Why Hindu women put a circular dot on their forehead?

Answer 1

Not quite sure but I must say, I like to apply one on nights when Philip and I play out scenes from "Arabian Nights"

Answer 2

Before in the olden days the "dot" was a representation of a woman who was married almost like a wedding ring but this dot can be seen easily and can't be mistaken. If its on the forehead it is clearly visible that the woman is already taken and off limits. however now days the "dot" isn't so much as a dot anymore than an accessory. Now its just something that is fashionable just as tattoos or earings and anything else that becomes fashion. and the dot isn't a dot anymore its just an adhesive sticker that you can match colors with the traditional outfit you're wearing and it can have different shapes like an s shape with small rhinestones.

Answer 3

It means they are married. It can also be a fashionable statement if it is other than a red dot. Hindu is not an actual religion. It is a name the Muslims gave some Vaisnavas (those who worship Vishnu or Krishna) who lived across a lake called Sindhu. the s was pronounced h and so eventually they accepted the name. It's strange that they kept the name on account of the Muslims blaspheming them

Answer 4

The circular red dot on their forehead means they are married

Answer 5

This is placed at the area of the "Third Eye." That is the eye of self-awareness, and of awareness of God. When we worship God, we take the red powder that is there with the image of God and put it on our foreheads to indicate we have "Seen" God and He has "Seen" us. This is a spiritual seeing of course.

It is not only women, but men who do this at worship. Sometimes instead of red, sandalwood paste is used (which is cream colored, or tan).

Many women today place a jewel there, and this is for looks. I mean, it still may have the spiritual symbolism to them, but some do it just for looks I think.

I think the sign of marriage is closer to the top of the forehead, not in the center. You don't have to be married to place the dot there for worshipping practices.

Answer 6

Heron has explained it well. I would like to add few more points:

Hindus believe that body is full of energy and can be high source of power (remember the movie matrix where the machines use human for high source of energy).

Human body has 8 chakras. Chakra in Sanskrit means wheels. Yoga and meditation is based on this theory. By penance, yoga, and discipline, human can obtain these chakras (energy). These chakras start from lowest chakra in sacral region to highest chakra in crown area. Forehead is the second highest chakra.

Bindi when applied on the forehead retains the energy in the human body.

Please refer to the links given below if you want to know more about bindi and chakras.

Answer 7

Red means Single, blue means Married.

Answer 8

LOL someone says its because they are single and someone says its because they are married... I always heard it was supposed to be a "third eye", but beyond that I don't know why.. or even if that is true.. but that is what I heard.. sorry I can not help you anymore!

Answer 9

If that is your theory of humor, you want to seek specialist help. i'm completely severe. all of your Qs as we talk were in this similar "vein". you want to attend to even if is bothering you and end determining on a strive against with those who did not reason it, and may't fix it.

Answer 10

It is a cosmetic mark used to enhance beauty and worn by both men and women.