Significance of Bridal Jewellery for Indian Women
Dressing up and looking the best on the D-day takes top priority for any bride, and jewellery forms a vital part of it. We are all familiar with the traditional jewellery pieces. But, did you know a nose ring or nath is, traditionally, representative of a bride’s virginity? In fact, each piece of jewellery that a bride wears symbolises something traditionally or culturally. Given the cultural diversity, the list of different pieces worn religiously or regionally would be a long one. We give you few of the significant ones.
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Maang tikka
This gorgeous hair accessory is held by a hook at the centre parting of the hair, with the pendant falling on the centre of the forehead. The point where it falls is believed to be the ajna chakra, which in Sanskrit means “to know or perceive”. The chakra is represented by two petals signifying the holy union of male and female on a spiritual, physical and emotional level.
Nath
Wearing a Nath or nose ring is an age-old custom. Nose piercing is said to have acupuncture benefits. Ayurveda claims that women who have their nose pierced on the left side experience less menstrual pain and easier childbirth. It eventually went on to represent a bride’s virginity, where it is believed that a woman is no longer a virgin once her groom takes off her nath on the wedding night. In some states the size of the nath also represents the financial power of her in-laws.
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Earrings
If legend is to be believed, evil spirits could enter the body through its openings. Ornaments were said to prevent that. So, apart from their acupuncture benefits, earrings, for a new bride, were believed to work like a protector against evil.
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Mangalsutra
The word mangalsutra comes from mangal meaning holy or auspicious and sutra meaning thread. This sacred necklace is tied around the bride's neck by the groom on the day of the wedding. The wife, thereafter, wears it as long as she or her husband is alive as a sign of their love and commitment to one another.
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Ring
The wedding ring, worn on the third finger of the left hand, is a priceless ornament. Ancient Romans believed that the vein in that finger runs directly to the heart.
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Kamarbandh
A seductive ornament, kamarbandh or the waistband is a beautiful belt that adds grace to a bride. The ornament is designed in a manner that allows you to hold a bunch of keys, thus signifying the assumption of authority at the bride’s new home.
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Bangles
Traditionally, glass bangles represent a charm of safety and luck for a married woman’s husband. These are broken if her husband dies as an act of mourning (highly exaggerated in old Hindi movies!). The colour and designs of bangles vary in different regions. In Bengal, the mother-in-law gifts her daughter-in-law an iron bangle which is usually plated with gold. In South India, green bangles signify fertility and prosperity. The North Indian brides wear a chooda- a set of ivory and red bangles worn for 45 days to a year after marriage.
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Anklet
Payal or anklet is a traditional piece worn around the ankles, meant to announce arrival of the new bride in her husband's house with its tinkling sound.
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Toe rings
Bichiyas as they are known in Hindi, are small, metal bands worn on the toes. They are a traditional symbol of marriage, particularly in Southern India, and are usually made of ornately decorated silver, and are worn in pairs on the second toe of each foot.
Smile
Not available in any shop, this one is the most precious ornament a bride wears! No matter how expensive and how many the other embellishments are, it is only a big genuine smile that makes her look gorgeous.
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