In Hinduism, the tilaka, also spelled tilak, is a mark worn on the forehead and other parts of the body for spiritual reasons. It is commonly seen on women (especially married ones), Hindu priests, practising brahmins and other Hindus on religious occasions.

A sign of God

The tilak on Hindu religious men affirms their devotion and is a symbol of the One they believe as God. It may be made with sandal paste, ashes or another 'cooling' (per Ayurveda) substance. Saivites typically use ashes, Vaishnavites apply clay (preferably from holy rivers) or sandal paste, and Shaktas use kumkuma, or powdered red turmeric.

In Nepal, it is called a "tika," and is a mixture of abir, a red powder, yoghurt and grains of rice.

As used by Vaishnavites (Vaishnavas), it is called the urdhva-pundra. It has two vertical lines (sometimes with another intermediate line) variously connected at the bottom, from simple U

The tilaka is most prominently applied to the ajna chakra, which is part of the forehead between the eyebrows. This represents the location at which the spiritual eye opens. Saivas apply the three horizontal lines with the ashes sacred to Siva in his capacity as destroyer of corruption.

Worn by women (Bindi)

Tilaka has been worn by Hindu women for many millennia for different reasons as a bindi or dot between the eyebrows or on the centre of the forehead. This practice is associated with Yoga and Ayurvedic principles. Per yogic belief, the psychic energy forces of the nadis (subtle nerves), Ida and Pingala, meet at the middle of the forehead and activate the centre of 'will', clearing the way for enlightenment. This place is also the seat of the soul (atman) or the Self, the location of the spiritual third eye, and the ajna chakra. The tilaka was traditionally worn as a combination of sandal paste and other herbal ingredients to help keep the area 'cool' (an Ayurvedic characteristic), to strengthen the

The tilak is also a beauty mark, in some ways similar to the black mark European and American women once wore on the cheek. Worn by married women in red, it carries connotations of marriage, auspiciousness and prosperity. It is often worn in black before marriage to ward off the evil eye.

In the contemporary age, the bindi has partly become a fashion accessory and is worn by unmarried as well as some non-Hindu women, in India, Bangladesh and other countries of South Asia. It is no longer worn in limited colours or shapes. The bindi is worn by women today using kumkum, or in a variety of materials. Self-adhesive bindis made from felt in various designs and colours are also common.

In different languages

A women's tilak is called -

Bindi (in Hindi)

Bottu (in Telugu)

Teep (in Bengali)

Sindoor, Kumkum and Kasturi as also used, specifically for the vermilion tilak applied using sindoor.

History

The earliest references to the tilak can be traced to the Rigveda, a hymn describes lord Surya's wife, the goddess Usha (or dawn) wearing a bright red dot on her forehead, symbolic of the rising sun.

Related customs

In addition to the bindi, in northern India, a vermilion mark in the parting of the hair just above the forehead is worn by married women as a symbol of their married status. In North India, the groom applies sindoor on the parting in the bride's hair, commemorating the marriage.

In other cultures

The ritual use of painted marks is also to be found in other religious traditions, ancient and modern. In Ancient Near East and Africa similar marks were used by Mediterranean worshippers of Helios in Heliopolis, South Egypt (Thebes), etc.

References

Entwistle, A.W. Vaishnava tilakas: Sectarian marks worn by worshippers of Vishnu (IAVRI bulletin). International Association of the Vrindaban Research Institute, 1981. ISBN B0007BNJJ6

Keel, Othmar; Uehlinger, Christoph. Gods, Goddesses, and Images of God in Ancient Israel.Continuum International Publishing Group London, UK. 1998. ISBN 0567085910

Tilaka