One of the most recognised pictures of India is a woman with a brilliant red bindi, a dupatta drawn over her head, and her hands full of bangles clasped in a polite greeting. Foreigners travelling through India are frequently captivated by traditional Indian dress and jewels. But, despite growing up surrounded by this culture, Indian women are unaware of the true beauty and importance of their jewellery.
One of the most significant pieces of jewellery that an Indian woman wears is a bangle. Bangles have a unique meaning for married ladies because they are a symbol of their suhaag. Indian culture has long been inextricably linked to bangles. It makes sense that bangles would appear in so many of our films and folk tunes. Let’s examine what makes bangles such a unique component of Indian culture, particularly during weddings.
Every Indian bride’s identity
The solah shringar of Hindu brides has historically included bangles. Bangles made of gold, glass, or other metals are required to be worn by would-be brides and newlywed brides since they symbolise the husband’s long life. They stand for fortune and wealth. Breaking of the bridal bangles is traditionally seen as unlucky.
Bangles are still as important today as they were thousands of years ago, despite having gotten much trendier throughout time to match a more modern appearance. Yet, only metal or circular glass bangles are preferred for traditional ceremonies. Bangles with geometric patterns give them a distinctive appeal. They go by different names in various parts of the nation. Nonetheless, they are as important in terms of Hindu wedding tradition, regardless of the geographical boundary.
Meaning of bangles according to tradition
Every region has a different set of rituals that are related with fine gold jewellery, especially bangles. With the aid of oil, prospective brides don the tiniest bangles. This implies that she would have a loving and affectionate husband.
- Gold is highly regarded as fortunate and auspicious in the southern states. In certain cultures, brides may wear green coloured glass bangles in addition to their gold ones because green is a colour associated with fertility and prosperity.
- Bangles made of conch shell and red coral, known as shakha and pola in Bengal, are traditionally worn by newlyweds in Bengal. In addition, as soon as the daughter-in-law enters her new home, the mother-in-law gives her a gold-plated iron bangle.
- Brides in Rajasthan and Gujarat also adorn themselves with ivory bangles or chooda. The bridal silk saree with the crimson border and the chooda are presented to the bride by her maternal uncle during a ritual in Gujarat known as mameru.
- Brides-to-be in Punjab don chooda, or ivory and red bangles. A set of chooda is given to the bride by her maternal uncle. She is required to wear these bangles for a specific amount of time, and depending on the customs of the particular families, they may be worn for as long as sixty days.
- The bridal chooda is really distinct in Maharashtra. Odd-numbered green glass bracelets are worn by the brides. The colour green represents innovation, rebirth, and fertility. They wear these along with carved kadas known as tode and solid gold bangles known as patlya. The bridegroom’s family typically presents the gold bangles.
The importance of colour
Different coloured bangles historically denote various meanings in Indian culture. Green represents luck and fertility, while red stands for vitality and wealth. White bangles are symbolic of fresh starts, whereas orange bangles stand for achievement. Strength is symbolised by silver bangles, while prosperity and good fortune are represented by gold bangles.
Bangles have more than one purpose for Indian ladies. They are more than just accessories. They are an integral part of who they are. Indian females adore wearing bangles. After getting married, it is customary to wear bangles for the sake of good health, fortune, and wealth.
Urban women might not consistently wear pricey or vibrant bangles. However practically everyone reverts to these cultural customs at traditional or religious occasions. Traditional bangles that are wonderfully designed and fashioned of either 18KT or 22KT gold are available from Melorra. Their wide range of designs, created by numerous artists, is an accurate representation of India’s lively culture.
