Wedding jewelry in India is a tradition that has been in existence for centuries. Women and jewelry are an inseparable mix. Myth has it that when a baby girl is born in a family in India, they begin to gather money and jewelry for her wedding day right from the day she is born. The jewelry is always matched with the dress of the bride. The design and theme of the wedding dress is put into consideration when making a choice of wedding jewelry. Each separate piece has its own significance.
Here are some of the components of a complete set of Indian wedding jewelry
Hathpool: This is also known as the hand flowers. It is a set of 5 rings attached to a bangle with chains dangling across the back of the two hands. Each of the chains is a symbol of a goddess power which the bride can rely on.
Jhoomar: It is worn on one side of the head of the bride and meant to bring happiness and luck in the marriage.
Bindi: It is a representation of the third eye. Either a red dot will be drawn on the forehead or a series of jewelry can be placed just above the eyes as an indication that a woman is now married and off the market.
Klira: These are hanging strands of chains which act as shackles. This makes it impossible to do any house work on the day of the wedding.
Tikka: Is a headpiece jewelry worn on the center of the bride’s hair. This chained pendant is placed in the centre of the forehead to ward off evil and activate the 6th chakra.
Naath: This is a symbol of innocence and purity before marriage. It is a ring worn on the nose with connecting chains to the hair or ear.