The fabulous world of Indian jewelry and the countless treasures of Indian rajahs have always amazed the imagination. No less amazing is the beauty of Indian women and their jewelry. In the last 100 years, the art of Indian jewelers has had a huge influence on the European world and in our time many modern fashion ideas are drawn from this source. The slave bracelet has come into fashion - a bracelet combined with rings, one of the prototypes of which is the hatphul, a traditional Indian decoration. Many fans of bindis appeared, and a large number of bracelets, including anklets, took a strong place among boho style jewelry. Surely something else from Indian traditional jewelry will make its way into modern fashion. Isn't it time to take a closer look at the source?
The world of Indian jewelry has strong traditions and rules. This set of rules is called Solah Shringar(Solah Shringar) and it begins, in the narrow sense, as 16 ornaments of a married woman. But these decorative ornaments serve not only for beauty. The tradition is based on deep spirituality and philosophical meaning, because Indian customs and rituals have preserved their ancient sacred meaning. This is their absolute uniqueness, because very few such traditions have survived to this day. Moreover, in this tradition one can often find clues and explanations of ancient traditions and beliefs in other cultures of the world, for example, fragmentary archaeological finds.
The word "shringar" is associated with the Hindu goddess of beauty, luck, wealth, happiness, fertility and prosperity, Sri (Lakshmi). Solah Shringar is an Indian canon of beauty that includes 16 ritual attributes or jewelry of an Indian woman, symbolizing spirituality, happiness and bliss in love and marriage. Girls in India dress simply before marriage. Jewelry Solah Shringar n They are worn during the wedding ceremony and serve to create a deep spiritual connection between the bride and groom, in accordance with ancient tradition. These 16 pieces of jewelry make a woman dazzling and erotic. If the husband died, the jewelry was broken and the woman no longer wore it. But let's not talk about sad things, let's look at the decorations. Let's start with the head and gradually move to the legs, although they are dressed exactly the opposite way, starting from the legs. Which of these jewelry do you think will be the next to enter European fashion?
Shringar consists of 16 attributes that are associated with the 16 phases of the moon and Goddess Lakshmi, the ideal wife of Vishnu. Jewelry allows you to achieve a resemblance to a goddess. For the first time, all these decorations are worn at the wedding in accordance with a special ritual, which also consists of 16 stages. It begins with a rejuvenating “cosmetic” procedure and ablution in aromatic water - Snan. Ends with the Sugandh ritual - aromatic anointings.
The process of preparing the bride begins from the feet, the face and body are painted, and special clothes and jewelry are put on. The process has a ritual meaning. The bride is prepared for her husband, and as a result of all these manipulations, the girl acquires extraordinary attractiveness in order to delight and impress her future husband, strengthen his love and desire. In addition, all procedures and decorations have an ethical and spiritual meaning; they symbolize the rules and traditions of behavior in relation to the husband and family. They also have a protective and protective meaning. Jewelry seems to ring all parts of the face and body, which retains and protects a woman’s energy.
Kesapasharacana(Keshapasharachana)
The hair was traditionally braided, which was decorated with kesapasharacana. This could be flowers or a piece of jewelry hanging down your hair.
Hair was considered the source of a woman's vital and magical power. The longer they are and the better they are hidden from prying eyes, the more power they have and the more power a woman has over men. In ancient times, hair could serve as a substitute for human sacrifice to the gods. And in order not to seduce men, women (and not only in India) are ordered to leave the house and visit the temple with their heads covered.
Maang Tikka(Maang Tikka)
A gold parting ornament (maang) approximately 12 cm long with a hook on one side and a pendant on the other. The pendant is placed in the center of the forehead. A variety of tikka is lalatikka, it has 2 or more side chains, the first pair decorates the hairline.
Sindoor(Sindoor)
Red powder (cinnabar) which is applied on the parting (maang) and also as a dot on the forehead (bindi) according to the tradition of Hindu marriages. First applied by the husband at the wedding ceremony, it is the most important part of the marriage ceremony. Sindoor is a sacred symbol, it is worn only by married women whose husbands are alive, it is spiritually connected with the length of the husband’s life.
Red powder has been used in rituals since ancient times; the custom dates back to the Paleolithic era. In India, red is considered the color of strength and power, as well as fertility, birth, and rebirth. Sindoor symbolizes the feminine energy of Sati and Parvati. Sati is the ideal wife because she performs sacrifices to protect her husband's honor. Parvati bestows happiness on married women who apply sindoor to the parting of their hair. Also protects against evil intentions. The ritual is called sinduradana or sumangali. The powder is also applied to statues of brides and wives; the folk custom of decorating roadside stones, as well as doors and ritual objects with it has been preserved.
Bindi (Bindi) - a type of "tilak"
Bindi means period in Hindi. In Hinduism - the sign of truth or the “third eye”. Traditionally applied using red powder for the first time at the wedding ceremony. A spiritual symbol is a sign of a married woman. However, now many people wear the bindi as an original decoration, both in the West, where this fashion penetrated thanks to hippies, and in India itself. Nowadays, bindi stickers of different colors are also common.
Tilaka is a sacred sign that Hindus apply with special substances, often brought from sacred places - clay, ashes (for example from a fire sacrifice), sandalwood paste and others. Applied to the forehead and other parts of the body, it differs among representatives of different religious traditions. Men apply stripes, women - round symbols. The bindi sign in India is common among representatives of different religions, not only Hindus.
kajal(Kajal)
An eyeliner that was used to make the eyes more expressive. In India, lamp black, sandalwood, and castor oil were traditionally used for its production - that is, useful components.
This cosmetic product is also called "k ol" or "khola" is a broader concept, widespread since ancient times in South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. It was well known in ancient Egypt. In different countries it was made from different ingredients,most often from stibnite, in our country it is better known as antimony. Of course, in India, women have long switched to modern cosmetics.
Nath
The nath or nose ring is usually worn on the left nostril. Typically, it is made of gold and decorated with pearls, as well as precious stones or diamonds. Nath is a symbol of purity and innocence.
It is the nose that is considered a symbol of virginity in India; piercing a point on the left side of the nose curbs desires. In India, a pierced nose is a symbol of submission and devotion to one's husband, and the nath is considered the most seductive decoration.
Jhumka(Jhumka) or karnphool(Karnphool)
Traditional earrings. Jhumkas are bell earrings that ring when you walk. Karnphul - translated as “flower in the ear”, earrings in the shape of a flower. Wedding earrings were often very heavy and were additionally supported by chains. Like bracelets, tinkling earrings harmonize space and ward off evil spirits. And the more earrings, the more prosperity there will be in the house.
Mangal Sutra
A necklace with a sacred meaning, worn only by married women. Traditional Mangal Sutras are generally made of gold and black beads and gold pendant. Symbolizes the wedding vow.
An Indian woman wears more than one necklace. Necklaces and beads sew up the throat chakra, an important creative center.
Bajuband(Bajuband)
Bajuband or baajjuband is a bracelet worn on the forearm. They are most often made of gold inlaid with pearls, but depending on the region of India they can be very different - very thin or cover the entire arm from shoulder to elbow. They look beautiful and wear these bracelets on their bare hands. The decoration serves as a kavach - it protects from the evil eye and symbolizes ideal beauty.
Chudiyan(Choodiyan)
A large number of bracelets are worn at weddings. These are usually bracelets made of ivory, glass or metal, mainly gold. Sets of bracelets are worn, both thin - churi, and large, massive, decorated with stones - kangan. Usually 8, 12 (dozan) or 24 bracelets are worn - the same number on the right and left hands. Married women never leave home without them, this would mean extreme need. The ringing of bracelets sounds very beautiful and in itself indicates the approach of a woman.
Mehendi(Mehendi)
Natural henna tattoos that are applied to the palms, arms and legs. The most common are bright red tattoos, but dark red and black are also used quite often. They are painted on the eve of the wedding, and the remaining henna is buried so that the husband does not cheat. In India and in the East in general, it is believed that painting the body brings happiness and good luck and protects from everything negative.
Hathphool
Translated as "flower of the hand" - bracelets that are worn on both hands, on the back of the hand. In the center of the bracelet there is a flower, which is connected to bracelets and rings. Sometimes the ring on the left thumb has a mirror (aarsi) - more on that below.
Aarsi
Aarsi is a ring with a mirror worn on the left thumb. The bride uses this mirror to look at the groom since she is wearing a veil and cannot see the groom directly. Such rings can also be worn separately as a practical decoration.
Kamarband(Kamarband)
A gold or silver belt worn around the waist over the sari. He placed the saree around his waist. This is a rather heavy belt, an indispensable attribute of a wedding sari. A bunch of keys were hung from the belt, this symbolized that now she, and not the mother-in-law, would be the mistress of the house.
Payal(Payal)
Payal - silver anklets. These can be chains with bells, or they can be quite large. The bracelets ring melodiously and attract attention to the approach of the bride. Unlike most gold jewelry, ankle jewelry is made of silver, since gold is a divine metal and is not worn below the waist.
Dancers usually wear a different type of bracelet, with a stronger sound, they are called ghungro. They are large bells sewn onto a woven base. Like other ringing jewelry, foot jewelry scares away everything negative and attracts flows of prana. In addition, they also have practical value, repelling crawling insects.
Bichua(Bichua)
Bichua is a ring that the bride wore on her leg. It is worn on the second toe of the left foot. It is also a very significant symbol of marriage. All girls wear anklets, but only married women wear ankle rings.
Jewelry corresponding to the Shringar canon is associated with another important concept for India - chakras. They are distributed as follows.
Sahasrara- the highest chakra, located at the top of the head - mang-tika- decoration on the parting.
Ajna chakra- "third eye", knowledge, wisdom and intuition - bindi helps him open up.
Vishuddha chakra- throat - decorations covering the neck
Anahata chakra- heart, center of love - mangalsutra- wedding necklace; meaning devotion and love and an oath of allegiance.
Manipura chakra- solar plexus, vital energy chakra - belt kamarband
The Shringar canon differs slightly in different parts of India. No less interesting are Indian temple decorations, some of which have something in common with wedding decorations. And there are special, spiritual decorations, which include navaratna, the sacred symbol of OM, kavachi - written prayers, folded and placed in round silver hanging boxes, and others. Navaratna translates as 9 stones or treasures and is an astrological talisman in which each stone corresponds to one of the planets of Indian astrology. Temple jewelry includes those that are sacrificed to gods and goddesses and are also worn by temple dancers
They carried a certain mystery and charm. With their help, women create a mysterious, unique image, emphasizing their individuality and beauty.
Decorate your head in oriental style or create your own jewelry
The concept of beauty combines the harmony of the inner world and external attractiveness. In different eras, each people had their own ideas about beauty and its beauty. For example, in Africa, plumpness and a very long neck were considered the standard of female beauty. Excessive thinness told the groom about poverty and sickness.
The standard of female beauty in AfricaIn Europe, the female ideal has changed noticeably at different times from curvaceous, appetizing forms, crinolines and corsets, to modern mini and graceful forms.
European beauty
In the East, the canons of beauty, as a rule, were preserved for centuries. The combination of elegance, brightness, miniature and brilliance is a traditional axiom of oriental beauty, which is necessarily embodied in jewelry.
Oriental beauty and grace
Traditions of oriental jewelry
Due to the fact that the East combines Arabic traditions, as well as the countries of China, India, Thailand, Japan and many other peoples, eastern culture is multifaceted and has a special charisma. National jewelry, along with rituals, clothing, and cuisine, are a valuable heritage. In the east, it has always been customary to decorate not only the hands and neck, but also the head and hair. These are all kinds of headbands, tiaras, fancy twisted crowns. The materials used were gold, platinum, silver, and decoration with precious stones and pearls.
Not only floral motifs were used, but also national symbols.
Oriental jewelry with floral symbols
In India, a mandatory accessory used by women to cover their hair is the tika. It has an oblong shape, the main part of it covers the parting, and the pendant-pendant adorns the head in the forehead area.
It is believed that the tika hair decoration helped to open the “third eye”, which was responsible for wisdom, inner harmony, peace of mind, and also protected from the evil eye.
Tika is a piece of jewelry worn only by married Indian women.
Another traditional oriental style jewelry is lalatika, a type of tiki made of many thin chains. This way of decorating the head helped to emphasize tenderness, fragility and femininity. The chains were decorated with pearls, colored beads, beads and flowed smoothly onto the hair.
Lalatika is a type of tiki.
Oriental jewelry has always been distinguished by a special flavor and a certain fabulousness. And today designers draw many fashion ideas from the mysterious Eastern culture.
The East has always attracted everyone with the charm and luxury of its jewelry.
In addition to bright colors, chic and shine, oriental-style jewelry is extremely attractive in its unusualness and charisma. Ancient masters believed that jewelry not only reflected status, but also had its own soul and character. Therefore, all products were made by hand, individually for each girl.
DIY decorations
To create an exclusive item while spending very little money, you can make an oriental hair decoration with your own hands.
Jewelry and women are inseparable
There are several simple ways to make an interesting hair decoration item.
Indian jewelry can fit into almost any look
Creating a tiki. To make it yourself, you will need a pendant or pendant, beads made of small pearls or seed beads, thick threads or fishing line. To begin, we thread the pendant or pendant into the thread and place it exactly in the middle. The middle part of the decoration, which covers the parting of the hair, is made of fishing line. First, we string beads on each side, and string beads onto the fishing line in the middle. We connect the ends together. Typically, teak consists of three strands, but if you use your imagination, you can add many tiers with a variety of decor.
Handmade Indian jewelry will help you create a stylish ethnic look.
DIY hair lalatika in oriental style. To create it you will need one thick chain (measured according to the volume of the head), connecting rings, thinner chains (can be of different colors), pliers and round nose pliers. Also, when creating oriental-style jewelry with your own hands, you often cannot do without special tools, such as pliers or pliers. We close the main circuit into a circle using a connecting ring. Next, we begin attaching thin chains to the base as decorative elements. How to arrange them depends on the imagination of the craftswoman. You can add threads with beads, beads, rhinestones or stones.
Beautiful oriental head decoration
Hair decoration using a headband in Arabic ethno-style. This hair decoration is still popular today. With its help you can add ethnic notes to your image. You will need a ribbon made of satin or other material, decorative elements (beads, stones, rhinestones, beads), an elastic band to match the ribbon and the same width, and scissors. The decor and color scheme of the head decoration is chosen according to the personal preferences of the needlewoman. The ends of the tape are connected to an elastic band (sewn). The result is a headband that fits the volume of the head. Next, the master lets his imagination go and decorates the ribbon with a wide variety of decor according to his taste. The result is a chic and exclusive product that can complement a luxurious evening look.
Fashionable turban in ethnic style
A scarf tied in an oriental style is a favorite accessory of many fashionistas.
All these examples of jewelry are just a small fraction that reflects the diversity of fabulous oriental traditions. Any handmade work is always exclusive and does not go without attention and admiration. Oriental style jewelry is distinguished by its unusualness and richness of decor. Made with your own hands, they can diversify everyday life, brighten up your daytime look and add elite notes to your evening look.
Making such luxurious handmade items does not require much time or excessive financial expenses. However, they are not one iota inferior to the jewelry works of famous world designers.
Beautiful DIY head decoration
Makeup, hairstyle and outfit in Indian style
A woman's beauty is her strength. In India, there are certain canons by which female beauty is determined. Shringar includes 16 elements, each of which corresponds to one of the phases of the Moon. Jewelry in India has a certain classification. There are decorations for the temple, there are spiritual ones, and there are for weddings.
Types of Indian Jewelry
Temple decorations most often carry the symbolism of the god Ganesha, who personifies wealth, luck, and also the symbol of holiness - OM.
Spiritual or astrological decorations are 9 stones that correspond to the planets. The Moon is represented by pearls, the Sun by rubies. Emerald represents Mercury, diamond – Venus. The symbol of Mars is red coral, yellow sapphire and blue correspond to Jupiter and Saturn. Hessonite symbolizes Rahu, and cat's eye symbolizes Ketu.
When it comes to wedding decorations, Lakshmi, the goddess of fertility and prosperity, is glorified. It is symbolized by 16 elements of jewelry.
16 elements Shringar
Bindi is the point between the eyes. Not big size. It symbolizes the third eye of wisdom, intuition and higher knowledge.
Tika is a parting pendant that falls on the center of the forehead. It is worn by married women to demonstrate their status.
Anjana or Kolya - black eyeliner connecting the arrows. The look takes on a special sharpness and expressiveness.
Sindoor dana is a bright red powder that the groom applies along the bride's parting. This process symbolizes the status of marriage. Red is the color of fertility and feminine energy.
Nat is a nose ring or other jewelry. This is considered a very seductive element. Nat has various variations.
Earrings karn phool. The literal translation means “flower in the ear” and symbolizes high spiritual and social status.
Mangalsutra is an amulet necklace. It is made of gold and black beads and contains the vows of the newlyweds.
Mehendi is a design on the hands and feet of the bride, which is done with henna. They draw it on the eve of the wedding. And the henna that remains needs to be buried - so that the husband will be faithful.
Banjuband – bracelet with an amulet. Put it on just above the elbow. Protects from envious glances.
Churia are bride's bracelets, most often red. They put on 812 or 24. A married woman does not leave the house without these bracelets.
The aarsina ring is placed on the thumb. It has a small mirror on it. The bride looks at the groom through it.
Kamarband is a golden belt with precious stones. The key is attached to it. This means that the mother-in-law hands over the reins to the daughter-in-law.
Kashapasharachana is a bride's hairstyle with flower decoration.
Bichua, payal - anklets and rings. Silver bells were attached to them.
The main attribute of the bride is a red sari. It is embroidered with gold threads.
DIY Indian jewelry
In India, craftswomen create almost all jewelry themselves. They embroider saris and paint on their hands. In order for the decoration to be correct and to carry the necessary energy, it must be done according to all the rules. Therefore, if you want to learn how to create them, contact real craftswomen in temples.
Magnificent women's jewelry in India - literally each of us began to admire them in childhood, and for many it has not gone away to this day. Colorful Indian films, the content of which was sometimes laughed at, attracted millions of viewers with their bright women's outfits and amazing jewelry. Each change of clothes of the main character throughout the film evoked strong emotions - how beautiful!
I must admit that Indians themselves are very fond of jewelry, because it is a large part of their culture and truly a national treasure. The glory of Indian jewelers is more than 4 thousand years old and one can only marvel at their imagination and skill.
Indian women's jewelry is not purely decorative. They are worn on days of special celebrations, on special occasions, as amulets and certainly with meaning. Some jewelry is not intended for women at all - it is made specifically to decorate statues of Indian deities.
Indian jewelry is harmony and order, uniqueness and symmetry, a variety of stones and different materials, it is always a metaphor and mystery. It is impossible to imagine India without dancing, and Indian festive costume without decorations. All together they have not only a bright individuality, but also a special sound and musicality.
In Indian culture, everything is symbolic and for them a beautiful festive outfit is not just clothing, but the personification of divine origin, beauty and mystery. Each detail is woven into the overall pattern of images and symbols. Only what is decorated with a pattern is considered beautiful, so simple clothes without ornament are considered decent only for an ascetic; for others it looks shocking according to Indian canons.
Indian craftsmen find ideas for creating jewelry in the nature of their amazingly beautiful country. Therefore, most of the motifs are associated with animals and plants, and each of them symbolizes something, so if you want to purchase Indian jewelry as a gift, this should be taken into account:
Peacock - beauty, love and immortality.
Fish - abundance.
Snake - rebirth, immortality, courage and speed.
a lion - courage, strength and independence.
Elephant - strength, calm, softness and large size.
Jasmine bud (champa) - fertility.
Ficus leaves (pipal) - prosperity and abundance.
It is equally important what stones and metals the jewelry is made of, what color they are - this is India, there is nothing insignificant or random here:
Diamond and rock crystal (white color) is strength.
Sapphire (blue color) - the color of wisdom.
Gold (yellow color) - a symbol of warmth, harmony and immortality.
Topaz (orange) - a symbol of science, art, acquisition of knowledge.
Ruby and garnet (red color) - the color of love and devotion.
Amethyst (purple color) - religiosity, connection with the cosmos.
Emerald and chrysoprase (green) - the color of artistry and charm.
All components are taken into account in one of the traditional decorations of India - navaratna , in which 9 different stones are installed, each of which corresponds to a specific planet.
Traditional Indian woman jewelry set Shringar (full decoration), includes 16 attributes corresponding to the 16 phases of the Moon. It is associated with the goddess of beauty, fertility and prosperity, Sri Lakshmi, the ideal consort of Vishnu. Full outfit includes: haara, karn phool, nath, tika, anjana (kolya), mehendi, sindoor, bindi, baajuband, arsi, keshapashacharachna, kamarband, wristbands, anklets, toe rings, sarees.
In India, 16 is generally a special number; in the spiritual world, demigods are always 16 years old, and for a girl this age is especially important - her destiny at this time is to charm everyone around her, to look for new impressions, everything about her is beautiful and innocent.
A special place is occupied by the jewelry that a girl wears to a wedding - they indicate her already married status. In the past it was jewelry made of gold or silver, but today pearls and diamonds have become fashionable. The bride's jewelry cannot but cause admiration - it is fabulously beautiful and incredibly difficult for us to understand. Each item has a special purpose, each is extremely important.
Shringar patti- jewelry made of gold and precious stones, worn around the head along the bride's hairline.
Mang tikka,tika(shortened shringara patti)- a thread made of precious metal with or without stones, covering the parting of the hair and hanging over the forehead.
These jewelry are attached to the back of the head with a hairpin, and the pendant should exactly fall into the center of the forehead (ajna chakra). Tika is a symbol of a woman who gives new life to the family and becomes part of it. Muslim brides in India wear different jewelry - jumar, this is the same tikka, but located diagonally.
Nat- a nose ring decorated with stones and a chain that is attached to the bride’s hair above the ear. The nat is considered the most seductive decoration and a symbol of the groom’s (husband) wealth.
Churi (gajra and paunchi ) - bracelets made of gold, silver, glass, ivory, shells, terracotta, and coral. Bracelets are a sign of a married woman, symbolizing the energy of the Sun. At the same time, bracelets are considered a romantic and loving decoration: their ringing sounds in different versions indicate the approach of a woman who needs attention, wants to exchange glances and is even angry. A married woman will never appear in society without bracelets, which, as a rule, can be 8, 12 or 24 . Gajra usually made of gold and pearls, and resemble stalks of grass, and punches- from parts connected in the shape of a flower.
Haara- necklace, necklace, beads. This decoration protects from the evil eye, brings good luck and preserves love. It is believed that it contains most of the magical and erotic charms.
Karn Phool Karn Phool(flower in the ear) - earrings. Since ancient times, the earlobe has been viewed as a sign of social status and spiritual development. Earrings are not only an elegant decoration, but also protection from evil spells and bad influences. Nowadays, it is believed that piercing the earlobe at a certain point improves vision and sharpens attention, and wearing earrings brings comfort. Large earrings in the ears of a married Indian woman speak of her status and power. For some women, this status is so high that heavy earrings are attached to their hair with a chain.
The most popular for hundreds of years have been earrings in the form of fruits and flowers, symbolizing tenderness, youth, spiritual perfection, innocence, innocence - everything that is so characteristic of any woman. Is not it?
Rings on fingers - before the groom places the wedding ring on the ring finger of the bride's left hand, rings with precious stones or gold rings with patterns are usually worn on her remaining fingers.
Arsi Arsi - a ring with a mirror, which is worn only on the thumb (king of the palm). What should a woman see first in the morning? Your face! This is why you need it to always be nearby, for example, on your finger
Gold rings or jewelry from a central medallion and 8 chains are put on the other remaining fingers, three of which are attached to the bracelet, and five to the rings.
Toe rings- worn only in pairs, made of silver, usually decorated with bells. Sometimes the bride's feet are decorated with medallions and chains.
Payal- ankle bracelets (usually silver), from thin chains to heavy hard bracelets with bells, are also a must for the bride.
Mangalsutra- a necklace of gold and black beads (sometimes with precious stones) that the groom puts on the bride.
Kamarband- a waist belt that holds and decorates the sari, on which keys are worn. It cannot be called jewelry, but it is a mandatory attribute of a young wife - a symbol of the transfer of power in the family from the mother-in-law to the daughter-in-law.
Baajuband (baju)- a bracelet or thread with an amulet, worn on the forearm. Depending on the status of the woman and the order in the community, he may cover his arm from the elbow to the shoulder. Baju- protection from the evil eye and a symbol of impeccable beauty.
In India, it is believed that by adding more and more jewelry, a married woman attracts prosperity to her home. A wise tradition, what do you think?
Hair jewelry is a very important accessory for women, especially in the spring and summer. Beautifully styled hair is an integral part of the entire look. You can choose traditional hairpins, headbands, and multi-colored headbands to suit your taste. Or you can give preference to more unusual jewelry. One of these decorations is tika (tikka, mangtikka).
Tika is an Indian traditional head ornament. It is a pendant, the main part of which is a chain that covers the parting between the hair. Pendants hanging from the forehead are attached to it. The tika itself is held on the hair with a hook or simply fixed on the head.
In India...
Previously, in India, teak was a symbol of a married woman. Nowadays, unmarried girls also began to wear it. Tikis are still worn at wedding ceremonies. For the bride, this decoration is still a deeply symbolic thing.
Pendant pendants (tikas) are made from precious or semi-precious stones. Each woman can have completely different stones, chosen according to her taste. In India, it is believed that every stone should either be a talisman or symbolize something. The meaning of the symbol is determined by the woman herself.
Indian women believe that a stone that touches the forehead has a higher power - negative or positive. It protects and serves as a “third eye.”
There is a belief that when constantly in contact with the forehead, the stone can influence a woman’s decisions. This is a place of accumulation of knowledge and intuition. It is tika that is designed to awaken a special gift in its owner, to give her more wisdom and intelligence.
Varieties
Lalatika- This is one of the subspecies of tiki. It is made more complexly, from several chains. The side chains attached to the central one are decorated with stones, beads, and beads. They adorn the hair in several rows, falling in a soft wave. It happens that lalatiki chains are decorated with precious stones. This speaks of the high status of a woman, her position in society.
Known and T-shaped tics. They decorate the heads of dancers. Sometimes tikas are specially put on dancers to attract more attention from men.
Tika in the modern world
Many famous designers are now demonstrating the importance of all kinds of head decorations. They offer an alternative to classic accessories. Indian pendants are already popular among celebrities (on shoots for fashion magazines, at performances, and presentations). And fashionistas are not lagging behind and immediately pick up such an interesting trend.
The girls fell in love with tika, because they met it in childhood, watching popular Indian films. Many imagined themselves to be beautiful Indian women. Now there is an opportunity to partially make your childhood dreams come true.
Decorating your head with an Indian pendant will definitely make you the center of attention. You will undoubtedly look very feminine in teak! You need to wear such jewelry proudly, like a crown. Then teak will reveal all your beauty and attractiveness.
