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Ornamentation

How Important It Is To An Indian Woman…

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Importance of the number 16 in India

There are 16 phases of the moon There are 16 ornaments for the female body…

anything not adorned is devoid of beauty At the age of 16 an Indian female is thought to

be at the peak of physical perfection in her life Shodashi, the Sanskrit word for 16, is the name

of a beautiful and vigorous Goddess…one that is eternally thought to be 16 years old and stands for all that is true and good

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Bindi

Small dot in forehead, between eyes Derived from Sanskrit word Bindu, meaning drop The mystical “third eye” that channels wisdom

and intuition In some places the men adorn there foreheads with the

“third eye,” but predominantly it remains a female trait Bindi is not worn by widows "A woman's beauty is multiplied 1,000 times when she

wears a bindi” -Hindu Proverb

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Tika

Worn in part of a woman’s hair so that pendant hangs in the center of forehead, this spot holds ones ajna or chakra

The two petals of the pendant represent the ardhanarishvara, or ultimate union, half male and half female

Women about to get married adorn themselves with this pendant

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Nath (Nose Ring)

The “nose” is believed to be the “seat” of the sixth sense

Nose rings range from jeweled studs, to large gold hoops that encircle the cheek, to pendant pearls that dangle past the lower lip

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Karn Phool (Ear Flower)

Long ear lobes are a sign of spiritual development and superior status

It is believed in India that ones sexual reflexes and the size of ones ear lobes are related

Karnphool “ear-flowers” are particularly auspicious…large, universal, round, flower-form earring, with central stud at back being the equivalent of a flower stem

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Harr (Necklace)

The neck is important because necklaces are worn close to ones heart

A necklace made of strings and beads is worn to ward off evil and/or bring good luck

A necklace made of stones is made to bind the wearer to the power of the stones

Champakali, “buds of the champa flower” are used are used in many fresh flower garland pieces…the fragrance has an erotic effect

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Bangles (Wrist Ornament)

Bangles are the emblem of a married woman Traditionally between 8 – 12 glass bangles are worn on

each wrist (24 in all) by all classes of Indian women Bangles have been made by a wider variety of materials,

than any other type of Indian jewelry over the years: bronze, copper, glass, gold, shellac, silver, stone and even terracota

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Payal (Anklet) & Toe Rings

Gold is the symbol for Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, therefore it is forbidden to wear gold on ones feet…brass or silver only

Some tribes wear anklet and toe ring attached In some tribes married women wear foot bells so

their husbands always know where they are

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Standards from CT Frameworks

Social Studies

3.4 Students will describe some of the more common forms of government in the past; give examples of societies that have practiced them. (Ex. monarchy, clan/tribal, autocracy, dynasty, republic, theocracy and democracy)

  3.5  Students will describe examples of how societies throughout

history have used various forms of visual arts, dance, theater, myths, literature and music to express their beliefs, sense of identity and philosophical ideas.

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Standards from CT Frameworks(cont)

Visual Arts

4 Students will understand the visual arts in relation to history and cultures.

5 Students will reflect upon, describe, analyze, interpret and evaluate their own and others’ work.

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Sources

http://www.exoticindiaart.com/article/jewelry/ http://www.punditravi.com/belief.htm http://www.webindia123.com/women/wedding/jewel.htm http://www.come2india.org/indian-bridal-jewelry.html http://jewelofthelotus.com http://india_resource.tripod.com/indianculture.html