Every culture and tradition has something to signify. The smallest of the practices to putting on any ornament, they all have some story behind them. India being a land of diverse cultures and traditions, dresses its daughters with different ornaments and sends her to her in-laws place. This segment will deal with the significance of Indian bridal jewellery of the Hindu culture.
Importance of jewellery in Indian Culture
1. The ‘maang-tikka’
The Indian Hindu bride dresses up like the royal Hindu queens, bright and heavy jewellery to define her riches with heavy designer saree or lehenga. The maang- tikka is an ornament worn right on the forehead. It has a hook at the end which allows it to stay hooked up to the hairline. The pendent however falls on the forehead.
The maang-tikka signifies the union of two souls. The institution of marriage brings two people together and binds them in a life-long relationship. Maang-tikka, signifies that bond.
2. The nose ring ‘nathni’
The nose ring signifies fertility and also the virginity of the bride. The bride is said to lose her virginity once her husband removes her nose ring. The size of the nose ring also determines the wealth of her in-laws.
The bride wears a nose ring in her nose piercing. The bigger nose rings come with a chain and is hooked up to the hair above the bride’s ear.
3. Earrings
Metal ornaments tend to keep away evil spirits, this belief lead to the creation of earrings. Apparently, the evil spirits can also enter into our body through holes. That’s why the bride is to wear earrings to be safe from the evil spirits on the happy occasion.
4. Neckless
The neck piece, is worn by the bride to symbolise her integrity.
5. The ring
Rings signify the beginning of a relationship of love. It signifies a commitment. The engagement ring is put on the left hand’s ring finger, because only that finger’s vein goes directly till the heart.
6. Bangles
Bangles signify strength and ability. The different colours of glass bangles signify different things for example, the green bangles signify fertility. The Indian bridal jewellery set always carries bangles as a very important ornament. They have different significance in different cultures of India.
7. Kamar- bandh
The kamar- bandh, is an ornament worn around the waistline. There are different designs of kamar- bandh. This waist band like Indian bridal jewellery signifies authority.
8. Anklets ‘payal’
Anklets are supposed to make tinkling noise while the bride walks, signifying her precious entry into her husband’s house.
9. Toe rings ‘bichiya’
The toe rings are worn on the second toe on both legs. It signifies the wedding, as the sindhoor or mangalsutra also signify the marriage.
All the wedding jewellery is more than just decorative items. They signify the post wedding life of the bride. Indian culture is deep rooted, and people today follow these traditions keeping their cultural values alive.
