Siginificance and History behind putting sindoor on forehead.

Sindoor is made up of vermilion, a red powder that is applied as a red streak along the parting of a woman’s hair. It is also known as kumkum or sindur. It is a symbol of matrimony and is never applied by unmarried women or widows. It is always applied in the centre and is a symbol of female energy. It is first put on a woman by her husband on the day of her wedding, and becomes a daily ritual thereafter. Women have adopted different ways of wearing sindoor – at the beginning or along the parting line or as a red spot on the forehead. The history can be traced to as back as 5000 years ago when Hinduism started sowing its seeds into the cultural and traditional outlook in India and around. Historians have also discovered that during the existence of Harappan civilization, it was applied along the partition of a woman’s hair and was the most prominent mark of her being married. Besides that, there are legends that revolve around Hindu mythology that indicate Radha, who was Lord Krishna’s wife, turned it into a shape, which resembled a flame onto her forehead. Several other scriptures like the Puranas also mention sindoor and its value for a married woman.

The tradition of wearing Sindoor by married women has been explained with the help of mythology. Scholars say that red is the color of power while vermilion is a symbol of the female energy of Parvati and Sati. Hindu mythological legends regard Sati as the ideal wife who gave her life for her husband's honor. Every Hindu wife is supposed to emulate her. Hindus believe that Goddess Parvati protects all those men whose wives apply vermilion to their parting of hair. Kumkum or turmeric based sindoor is scientifically and spiritually beneficial for the ladies. It absorbs the bad water in forehead region and enhances the power of concentration. The sixth chakra (third eye) is centered on forehead between the eyebrows. It’s considered the channel through which mental power and spirituality can be enhanced. Sindoor enhances the feminine grace to a large extent lending a divine beauty. Red is the color of love and passion and hence it is applied by Indian women to win the heart of their husbands. Sindoor signifies that the women with it is married, under the protection of her husband and hence no one should make mistake to cast an evil eye on her. Red is the color of fire, blood and strength. It indicates that tender looking Indian women can also assume the form of Shakti (goddess of strength) for the annihilation of wickedness. She can become the spark of fire from a soft flower for her own protection as well as her security of motherland.
Interesting Facts and Comparisons:
1.When the sindoor is wiped or smudged off it indicates that a woman has just lost her husband and is now a widow.
2.Sindoor is thrown in the air as a sign of prosperity and honor during festivals like Holi.
3.In ancient times it was made at home, but now it is readily available in the market at reasonable prices.
4.The color red signifies strength, blood and fire.
5.Another name for Sindoor is Kumkum.
6.It is also believed that it enhances the levels of concentration.
7.These days, it is available in the form of a liquid or gel which comes in a bottle that resembles the ones used for lip glosses, and women use the tip of the brush to apply it which makes the application easier and less messy.