Red Dot on Your Forehead

"The red dot on a Hindu woman's forehead is nothing more than an indication of her marital status. Many believe that the dot is an Indian tradition, rather than a Hindu." This belief is a myth.

The red dot is a tradition of Hindu. A lot of people are confused between the terms Hindu and Indian. Although majority of Indian people are Hindu, there are also other religions.

The custom is for unmarried women to wear black marks, married women to wear red. Red is the traditional color. Usually Hindu women wear the color that matches their Saris or outfit and according to their likes and tastes. Men wear it on festive occassion such as ritual worship (Puja), marriage or waving of lights (Arati) or while upon return from voyage or campaigns. The dot on the forhead is not always red not it is always a dot. It also goes by different names. "Bindi" is one of the famous names that I've heard of. Hindu's also calling the dot "Tilaka", "Kumkum", "Bottu" or simply a "red dot."

Today, the little red dot has evolved into different colors and ornamental decorations. Celebrities also sometime use the red dot as a style statement or a cosmetic mark used to enhance beauty.

The position of the dot is simple and standard: middle of the forehead. In the Hindu tradition they believe that all people have three etes. The two outer ones used for seeing the outside world, and the third one which focus towards God. What it truly represents is the third eye of spiritual site. The red dot denotes piety and a continous reminder to always remember God.