In India, the concept of beauty is associated mainly with a bindi on the forehead. The decorative accessory holds strong cultural significance and enhances the overall look to a large extent. Bindi complements Indian ethnic wear (sarees, lehenga, salwar kameez, etc.) to perfection, and you can never go wrong with this pair. In this post, we will get acquainted with the history, significance, and trend of bindi, along with the most stylish and trendy bindi designs to try.
Background of Bindi
The word ‘Bindi’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Bindu’, which means a dot or a drop. In ancient days, the practice of wearing bindi was known as ‘Visesakachhedya’, Patrachhedya’, ‘Pattrabhanga’, ‘Patralekha’, and so on. Both men and women used to paint their forehead with leaves of different shapes to worship intellect. Besides, it was a significant part of marriage in medieval times as the groom used to apply a tiny drop of blood between the bride’s eyes. (1)
Bindi got different names in different regions of India. Some most common names of the decorative facial accessory are tika, tilak, tip, kunkoo, kunkuma, phot, pottu, bottu, chandlo, tilo, etc.
Significance of Bindi
Bindi is worn in the middle of the forehead, right between the eyebrows. This is not only the place for the hidden wisdom but also the place for the third eye. It is believed that bindi, especially the red-colored bindi, represents a woman’s inner strength, energy, and power—especially red bindis. At the same time, it is also considered a representation of love and harmony in a family. Being the symbol of a woman’s marital status, the red bindi is also believed to protect her and her husband. (2)
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Trend of Bindi
The bindi has come a long way from being an essential ethnic accessory to becoming a worldwide fashion statement. It has been embraced by people around the globe irrespective of age, gender, marital status, and gender. Depending on regions globally, women are experimenting with the shapes, sizes, colors, materials, and styles of bindis. Designers are also coming up with lovely bindi designs that can be flaunted in a hundred different ways. In fact, bindis are now worn in various body parts, too as tattoos. All these prove that the trend of the bindi is never going to fade away.
The use of bindi is no longer limited to the forehead. It can now be worn in different ways in different body parts. It can also be worn as a Tattoo.
In India, bindi is not restricted among women. The tilak or tika bindi has now become an unconventional and extraordinary style statement for men. Sometimes these bindis even come patterned with stones. It symbolizes good luck while giving a clean and attractive look.
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17 Stylish Bindi Designs That are in Fashion Now
Now, check out some of the most popular bindi designs and styles to find out your next fashion statement easily:
1. Red Dot Bindi
The traditional way of wearing a bindi is a red dot right at the center of the forehead (exactly between the eyebrows). Used mainly by married women throughout India, this bindi can be small to big in size. However, the bigger the dot, the bolder it is.
This bindi is also adorned by Kerala brides for their weddings in which they put one white or gold stone under the red dot for a simple yet mesmerizing appearance. For more contemporary versions, micro-rhinestones are also chosen over the regular red bindi.
2. Black Dot Bindi
Young girls in South India love to flaunt a small black bindi with their traditional dresses. This quick and easy style gives a cute and innocent touch to the whole appearance. Moreover, it can be created only with regular black eyeliner.
3. Vertical Line Bindi
From complementing an oval face to covering a broad forehead, this long bindi in the form of a line is perfect for everything. Use a black or colored kohl pencil or liquid eyeliner to draw the precise vertical line at the center of your forehead. You can also decorate it with glitters for a striking party look.
In Andhra Pradesh, bridal bindi comprises a vertical line with a zigzag baseline. Famously known as ‘Pavithra Devi Tilak’, this auspicious design is considered as a symbol of love, joy, and prosperity.
4. Paisley Bindi
Here is another cool bindi design that never goes out of fashion. The paisley style emerged in Persia, and the bindi looks precisely like a droplet. It can be both simple in solid colors or decorated with stones.
5. Layered Bindi
Layering is a simple yet elegant way of wearing a bindi. All you need to do is place two or three bindis over another in such a way that it forms a beautiful layer. To make it even more stylish, choose bindis of different colors.
6. Embellished Bindi
No other bindi can complement your bridal trousseau like this one. A regular round bindi embellished with golden stones can make you the perfect bride with a difference in minutes. But make sure that you do not go overboard with the size of the bindi, as it may shadow the rest of the look.
A combination of layered and embellished bindi designs have been made fashionable by today’s entertainment industry. The layered bindis used in this style are usually longer in shape.
7. Floral Bindi
Are you in love with floral designs? Then, wear it on your forehead too. Bindi designs created in exclusive floral patterns will be just perfect for this purpose. Choose from the wide variety of styles that innovatively represent delicate flowers and leaves.
8. Arrow Bindi
Draw a downward-pointing arrow between your eyebrows using your black kajal or eyeliner, and you are all set to stand out from the crowd. Then, turn the arrow into a beautiful anchor for a more detailed look and add some glitz to it.
9. Crescent Moon Bindi
This bindi resembles the moon’s crescent shape (semi-curved like a sickle), which can be worn upside down or sideways at the center of the forehead. Originated in Maharashtra, it is highly popular among the Marathi ladies and is often called ‘Chandra (moon) Kor bindi design’ or ‘Maharashtrian bindi design’.
Marathi brides love to sport different-sized crescent moon bindis in solid red color along with traditional Nauvari sarees and Peshwai naths.
10. Star Bindi
Not only the moon but also stars can brighten up your forehead. A simple stick-on star-shaped bindi matches well with almost all types of attire. However, you can jazz it up with some stones or glitters while dressing up gorgeously.
11. Snake Bindi
Earlier, female snake charmers in India used to wear bindis that look like snakes. This gradually turned into a unique trend as other women also started following them. A bindi in the forehead in the form of a curve or wave can go very well with a casual saree.
12. Maang Tikka Bindi
Add glamour to your wedding ceremony look by pairing this elegant ornamental bindi with unconventional makeup. It covers the upper part of the forehead just like a maang tikka. Whether simple or jeweled, it is sure to make you the crescendo of all eyes.
13. Rhinestone Bindi
This stick-on bindi is mostly patterned with colored rhinestones, which spice up the look in a glamorous yet classy manner. Women widely use it with embroidered dresses for parties and events. Stone bindis are available in various styles and designs, while its most expensive variant uses Swarovski.
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14. Mirror Bindi
Take your style one notch up by opting for small mirror bindis with your casual outfits. To design these bindis, real mirrors are cut into various attractive shapes. They may also come decorated with colorful stones or tiny beads.
15. Designer Bindi
When looking for something elite to accessorize your designer dresses, these expensive designer bindis can come to your resort. They are usually bedecked with lots of stones, glitters, beads, pearls, and even diamonds. Available in various shapes, sizes, and colors, these bindis can also be customized to suit your special needs and desires.
16. Vermillion Bindi
While stick-on bindis are well-liked by married women in India, those are a commercial version of vermillion bindis. Red vermillion applied to the forehead in the form of the bindi is believed to bring luck, fortune, and success. Furthermore, this bindi is cheap, easy to apply, and elegant by look.
17. Chandan Bindi
If you want inspiration for bridal bindi designs, follow the elaborated chandan bindi style sported by a Bengali bride. The magnificent design consists of a red dot made of kumkuma at the center of the forehead and intricate spiral patterns all over the forehead created with sandalwood paste. It signifies love and peace while taking the bridal look to a whole new level.
Sandalwood paste is also used in Manipuri bridal bindi called ‘Chandon Siri Chingba’. But this traditional bindi design looks very much different than others as it includes two lines extending from the top of the forehead to the tip of the nose.
Choosing the Right Bindi for Your Face Shape
Though there are no rules for selecting the color of the bindi, it is always good to choose the size and design of the accessory according to the shape and structure of your face. So let us share the tricks to find out the best bindi designs that would grace your facial symmetries and make you look radiant:
Round Face: Long, vertical bindis will flatter your face the most elegant way. They will balance out your features by creating an illusion of angles and making your face look longer. Stay away from circular bindis and the extensive ones that will enhance the rounded shape of your face.
Square Face: Round bindis of any size will help soften your sharp and strong facial edges like cheekbones, jawline, etc. You can also try crescent moon or prominent statement pieces. But avoid bindis in geometrical shapes under all circumstances.
Oval Shape: Experiment with your bindis’ shape and size as you are blessed with the universally ideal face shape. Except for too-elongated bindis, almost all bindi designs will make you look flawlessly beautiful.
Heart-Shaped Face: Any small and simple round bindi will create symmetry in your face by drawing the attention away from your broad forehead. On the other hand, big bindis will accentuate it and hence, should be strictly avoided.
Diamond-Shaped Face: You are lucky enough to try out all sorts of bindi designs because of your naturally proportional facial features. Whether you choose a circular bindi or a long one, make sure to stick to simple shapes only.
Summary:
The name ‘bindi’ came from the Sanskrit word ‘bindu’ that means a tiny dot or drop. According to Hindu tradition, bindi is worn at the centre of the forehead right between the eyebrows as a decorative accessory. It is a symbol of marital status for women and goes really well with Indian ethnicwear. The trend of bindi is here to stay with new varieties of sizes, shapes, colors, and designs coming up frequently. While choosing the best bindi designs for a stylish look, it is important to consider the shape and structure of the face.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Where Should We Keep Bindi?
Bindis are generally worn at the center of the forehead exactly between two eyebrows. However, you can place them a bit higher on the forehead too.
Is It OK to Wear Black Bindi?
In the Southern part of India, young girls and widows commonly wear black bindis. For widows, it represents their loss and hence, is considered OK.
Can We Wear Bindi on Jeans?
Not all kinds of bindi go well with western outfits like jeans, tops, etc. You should steer clear of circular bindis, especially the big, full, red ones while wearing such attire.
Are Bindis Tattooed on?
In certain parts of rural India, bindis are tattooed on the forehead of women.
References:
- “Bindi (Decoration)”, Wikipedia.org
- “The Purpose of the Bindi”, HinduAmerican.org
