The Purpose of a Bindi by Megha Nissankararao

Aside from the beautiful jewelry and clothing that characterize Indian culture, an internationally known body ornament worn by Hindu and Jain women is the bindi. The “bindi” translates to “point, drop, dot or a small particle” and stems from the Sanskrit term “bindu”. A bindi is a red colored dot that is placed on the center of the forehead (usually between the eyebrows). Bindis are traditionally worn in the Indian subcontinent and mainly worn by women. While there are many meanings to what the bindi represents, the most common message is that the bindi represents the third inner eye of shiva and keeps bad luck away. The third inner eye of Shiva focuses on god and reminds people to keep god at the center of their thoughts. However, in the modern times, people aren’t using bindis for their traditional meaning. This evokes the question of cultural appropriation, as many Hollywood celebrities (Vanessa Hudgens, Gwen Stefani, Selena Gomez) have begun wearing the bindi as a fashion statement. Bindis come in all different colors, shapes and sizes and are now used for fashion. Ultimately, It's important to not forget the original purpose of a bindi and that a bindi is more than just a red dot.

Sources: https://www.hinduamerican.org/blog/the-purpose-of-the-bindi/