A Touch of Kumkum
Many Hindus engage in some form of face decorating. The markings vary by region, but frequently indicate religious affiliation and social or marital status. Four of the most frequently used materials for face marking are ash, vermilion, turmeric and sandal paste.
 | Ash Ash, also referred to as holy ash or vibuthi, is made by burning cow dung, milk, and ghee into a fine whitish powder. It is said to purify the wearer, protecting him or her from evil and ill health. It is also considered a "coolant" that is capable of refreshing and cooling the mind. |
Vermillion A reddish powder made of finely ground mercuric sulphide. (Not sure if mercuric sulphide is still where it comes from; I would think it would be toxic, if it was mercury-related? Perhaps it's some synthetic material now.) |
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| Turmeric Women frequently apply this yellow powder to the entire face. It is said to have potent medicinal qualities and is frequently used in ayurveda, an ancient Indian healing system. Its astringent properties are good for the skin. |
Sandal Paste |
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| Many face markings are placed on a specific spot on the lower part of the forehead, between the eyebrows. This area is believed by many to be a spiritual hot spot. Various cultures and teachings make references to its powers (the sixth chakra, the third eye, the seat of concealed wisdom). |  |
The bright red dot known as kumkum (pronounced koom-koom) or bindi is worn by many women and girls in India. (Bindi is derived from a Sanskrit word that means dot). Made of various combinations of vermilion, turmeric, and lime, it represents female energy and was historically worn to protect women and their husbands. The traditional kumkum is a large, blood-red circle (at right). Sometimes kumkum is applied on top of sandalwood paste. |
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 | Traditionally, the bindi was the mark of a married woman, and in some communities in India, that is still the case. In contemporary India, kumkum placed at the top of the forehead, near the hairline (at left), indicates that the woman is married.
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Widows can wear holy ash (right), but are not permitted to wear kumkum. A forehead devoid of kumkum is considered a sign of widowhood. In some societies, women remove all forehead decorations during time of mourning. |  |
 | In additional to the traditional red dot bindi, women increasingly wear bindis as fashion accessories. Bindis like the teardrop shaped one (at left) are available as stickers in hundreds of different shapes and styles and are frequently chosen to complement what a woman is wearing. |
Other forehead markings indicate religious affiliation.
The marks on the faces below indicate whether the devotee is a follower of Vishnu, or of Shiva.
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 | Holy ash is sometimes applied as three horizontal stripes on the forehead. These can have one of several interpretations, symbolizing either: --The three traits of Lord Shiva (Absolute Knowledge, Purity, and Penance), or --The purity that can be obtained by burning the three bonds of ego, ignorance,and karma. |
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You helped answer a question I always had, but never asked. Sai, our young
kindergartener, seams to always have a white powder on his face-- as one
might powder a babies bottom......... and now I now why!
Of all your blog entries, this was one of my most favorite! I love it when
you get in to teacher mode. :-)
Clare: Yeah, I definitely got into teacher mode with this one, didn't I?
But first, I had to get some tutoring of my own. Thanks to Arun Prakash
(and others) for answering all my questions on this subject-
Hi Folks,
Basia, You've got to visit Prem and Beena Thomas while you're in Chennai..
They live in Annanagar, AD/72 Annanagar West. Im sure they would love to
meet you..:) I'll post their phone number next time if you are interested.
Hi Basia, the pictures are very nice. I love to wear "thiruneer" or
"vibuthi" or "holy ash". But my mom always says no-no. Well my English
teacher once told me the reason behind "viboothy" or holy ash. This
tradition was borrowed from ancient Egyptians whom used the Camel dungs.
Since South Indians hadn't domesticated Camels, they chose Cow's. Since
South India is very hot and humid, we always sweat. The holy-ash absorbes
the sweat on the fore-head and reduces the burden on eyebrow. If the sweat
is not absorbed, then it will enter into the head and will create one-sided
headache. To prevent this thing only, people wear "viboothy". I'm not sure
about the correctness of this information but it does sound correct. There
is always a scientific reason behind most of the Hindu customs.