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The short answer to many is a decorative mark worn in the middle of the forehead by Indian women. It means "point, drop, dot or small particle" and to to some may mean nothing more than a coloured dot worn on the center of a forehead. To Hindu and Jain women, it may mean much more than that...

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In the past the Bindi was made from the yellow and red sandalwood, red and yellow turmeric, saffron, various flowers, ash, and zinc oxide. All these had cooling properties in nature, and were applied above the pineal gland to cool the nerves underneath and conserve energy. While this was said to have significant health benefits, people today often wear Bindi made with glue or glass, which doesn't benefit in any way but as an accessory.

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How is it used to express an aspect of identity?

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How is it used to express an aspect of identity?

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A Bindi can be used to express an aspect of identity through the colour worn. If a woman wears a red bindi, it shows that she is married. The red bindi in married women signifies true love and prosperity. Widows in India do not wear bindi normally. But they are allowed to wear a black bindi in Southern India. Their black bindi represents loss. Young girls are free to wear bindi of any color. This showcases their youth and imagination.

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What age group and gender is it typically worn by?

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What age group and gender is it typically worn by?

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Traditionally, the dot carries no gender limitation: men as well as women wear it. The tradition of men’s wearing a tilaka has faded in recent times, so nowadays you see a lot more women than men sporting one. Although colours traditionally represent age groupings by life stages, no specific age group is restricted from wearing a Bindi.

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It comes from the Hindu culture and religion, and respectively originated from their values and beliefs about life stages, spiritualistic, and health.

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Traditional vs. Modern Bindi styles often blend together. While all may look similar, the purpose of why it is worn determines if it is is viewed as modern or traditional. (E.g. if it is for religious purposes vs. beauty purposes.)
This YouTube video shows how to create a  Bindi design that looks stunning!
Watch to see for yourself...

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How to make traditional design of kumkum Bindi

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Historically, it was worn by many Indianized kingdoms in Southeast Asia. Today, the list could go on and on, as individuals of Hindu culture are found in nearly every continent! The top 5 I've created is only listed by population, as the country/city/region doesn't accurately represent wear Bindi are worn.
1. Indonesia
2. Philippines
3. Vietnam
4. Thailand
5. Myanmar

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Bindis have a special significance even today in the Indian tradition. In a spiritual view, bindi plays the most important role in hindu culture. It is believed that every morning a hindu prays to seek for the absolute truth. However, it is true that one cannot sit in prayer the whole day. So when they leave the prayer room, they are expected to put some mark on their forehead, which will remind them during the day about all the activities and the purpose of life. It is obvious they cannot see the mark on their own forehead, so whenever you see it on another face, they will get a chance to recall the purpose of their life. Their main ideal is to remember that all the things they are doing are dedicated towards the overall value of self realization. It is a way to remind one another of the culture to see through the mind's eye and see the bigger picture,

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To conclude, this video summarizes my research well:

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To conclude, this video summarizes my research well:

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and if you only remember a few things from my presentation...

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The Red Dot on an Indian Woman's Forehead - What is it?

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Bindi Significance. (n.d.). Retrieved July 20, 2018, from http://www.innovateus.net/innopedia/what-does-bindi-signifyFACT
CHECK: Hindu Red Dot. (n.d.). Retrieved July 20, 2018, from https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/dot-your-eye/Pariona, A. (2016, August 03). Southeast Asian Nations: Sizes, Capitals, And Populations. Retrieved July 20, 2018, from https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-southeast-asian-nations-size-population-and-capitals.html