The importance of jewellery in India for women

Bangles have a special significance in Indian culture. They are a popular piece of jewellery among women all over the country and in all religions. Bangles adorn women, especially married women. They symbolise luck, security and prosperity. It is obligatory for newly married Hindu brides to wear bangles made of glass, gold or other materials, depending on which part of the country they come from. Bangles are similar to our wedding rings as a material symbol of forgiveness. Bangles are a symbol of identity for Hindu women. If, for example, a Hindu woman's husband dies, the woman's immediate reaction is to take off the bangles. If the bangles are made of glass, the grieving women smash them.

In addition to the bangles, there are other symbols for the married Hindu woman. These include the red dot on the forehead between the eyebrows , called a bindi, and the stripe of red powder applied to the crown of the head. Typical pieces of jewellery are nose rings, anklets, toe rings, hair accessories, necklaces and earrings. The gold or silver jewellery that the bride is given as a gift for her engagement or wedding is often replaced with costume jewellery in everyday life. This is especially true for bangles.

With her colorful clothing, the Hindu woman herself looks like a flower. Bright colors, braided hair and jewelry are an expression of her cultural identity.