A new employee has started at my company. He's being trained in my office. He is from India, and wears a painted red dot on his forehead. I'd like to ask him what this means but he's quite shy and I don't feel confident enough to ask. For some reason I thought it meant you were married but he's not. Can anyone help?
2007-03-06 22:12:16 · 6 answers · asked by tigerfly 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Ok, so no stupid answers and READ the question if you please.
2007-03-06 22:18:30 · update #1
This red dot you refer to is a 'tilak' or 'tikka'..... it is a practice followed in Hinduism....after they've finished their prayer, they put this dot on the foreheads...I guess its like holy water in church. Both men and women can wear a tilak.
A tilak has nothing to do with marital status. Married Hindu women do apply a red powder or paste at the center of their hairline....this is called 'sindoor' and this is a sign that a woman is married.
If you really want a complete explanation about the tilak, ask him. Its not a controversial topic or anything like that, if that's what you were worried about. Its always nice when someone's genuinely interested in your culture and wants to understand....it'll help break the ice.
2007-03-06 22:45:58 · answer #1 · answered by Peace 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I belive it's called a Bindi, married Indian women wear them. If it;s on a man it may be a Tilak and it means to belong to the hindu religion.
Very vague, I'm sure someone will have a much better answer than that!!!
2007-03-06 22:21:12 · answer #2 · answered by Nickynackynoo 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The mark you refer to, is called a "TIKKA", - there MAY be another spelling, - and, I THINK that it's a SIGN of a DEVOUT believer, in HINDUISM, - but, I cannot be CERTAIN! If he is SHY, then, - tread CAREFULLY, - but, the QUESTION, that you wish to ASK him, MAY be a way, to BREAK THE ICE! There's NO HARM, in TRYING!
2007-03-06 22:37:49 · answer #3 · answered by Spike 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tigerfly you should go and ask him he would be delighted that your interested in his culture.
And when you find out don't forget to let us know, because I'm interested too.
Good luck.
2007-03-06 22:27:23 · answer #4 · answered by pixie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well it's simply a hindu caste mark.I'm pretty sure it's a high caste.
2007-03-06 22:24:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is an indian culture thing..........u put that dot to symbolise that ur married or somethin
2007-03-06 22:17:14 · answer #6 · answered by daki 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋