Significance of Indian Jewelry

Jewelry has been a significant adornment for Indian women since ages. Its significance in an Indian woman’s life can be judged from the number of jewelry gifts she receives on a variety of auspicious occasions in her life and how even the poorest of women possess some kinds of jewelry they can afford. Indian women’s decorating themselves with jewelry is not only a customary tradition, but also has a lot of values attached to each and every jewelry piece worn by the women.
Why is Jewelry Important for Indian Women?
Apart from increasing the beauty of Indian women, Indian jewelry is also considered to be a matter of great security in time of financial crisis due to its good value.  To accentuate the feminism factor, women wear jewelry created with precious metals like gold, silver and diamonds. Traditionally, having a good collection of jewelry symbolizes power, good status and immense wealth of the owner. 
Jewelry and Indian women share a deep connection as its value lies not only in traditions, but also has a great significance in scientific terms. We must understand the reason behind each jewelry piece adorned by Indian women as it lies deep rooted in science. It would certainly increase our love and respect for Indian women’s jewelry.
Wide Variety of Indian Jewelry Adorned by Women
Jewelry designs are available in a wide variety in India as each state has its own culture and jewelry is made accordingly to highlight the values of those traditions. Some of the most commonly used jewelry by Indian women includes maangtika, nose rings, necklace, earrings, mangalsutra and bangles.
Now, let’s understand the significance and the logic behind each piece of jewelry worn by Indian women. Here we have a list of some of the most commonly worn jewelry pieces with their cultural and scientific significance
Tika
Tika consists of a chain with a pendant in the front and a hook at the other end.  The hook is used for holding the tika at the hair end, while the pendant embellishes the center of the woman’s forehead. A woman’s forehead, especially the center part is believed to be the place of chakra which refers to preservation. Traditionally, the chakra is visualized to have two petals where the half-male and half-female androgynous deity Ardhanarishvara resides. It symbolizes the final union where there is no division. In view of science, this union is the meeting of the male and female elements in nature at both the physical and the mental level

Nose ring:
Nose ring called as nath by Indian women is definitely the most seductive jewel piece without which a married woman’s make up is considered incomplete. It forms an integral part of traditional bridal jewelry keeping in view its conventional and scientific value. Aristocratic families get special nose rings created for the bride as it’s considered the most auspicious jewel to be worn on the occasion.
Scientifically, it is believed that women having pierced nose experience less pain during childbirth. Ayurveda considers it a valuable piece which is worn on the spot directly connected with the health of the female reproductive organs. As per a theory, nose ring is also connected to emotional, romantic and sexual propositions of a woman. It also prevents a woman from being hypnotized due to its power to control the brain wavelength.
It is one of the most fascinating jewelry pieces worn by both married and unmarried women. Available in a wide variety of shapes, colors and sizes, it attracts every woman towards it and makes an important part of the woman’s fashion accessories. Matching earrings with garments enhance the attraction quotient manifold.
As per the famous legends, evil spirits were believed to enter the body through any of its openings. By wearing ornaments in the ear, the woman attained a state of complete well being. The latest studies have also revealed that ear is a microcosm of the entire body and has an important nerve that connects cervix, brain and kidney. By applying the right amount of pressure in the right ear to which the nerve of the kidney is connected, the health of the kidney and the bladder can be taken care of.
Necklace:
Necklaces worn near the heart are believed to control emotions and strengthen one’s love. Wearing a necklace of stones is believed to bind ourselves with their eternal powers. Since ancient times, necklaces, pendants, strings of beads and elaborate ornamental collars were worn by women to bring good luck and ward off the evil eye. The necklace is also believed as a protective ornament against hypnotizing as such attempts are successfully undermined. So, this neck ornament not only adds an exquisite look to a women’s beauty, but also acts as a potent restraint against effects of evil charms on virtuous maidens.

Bangles:
Bangles, the word itself seem to fill one with the sweet tinkling sound produced by it! Wearing bangles can be easily afforded by any woman whether rich or poor as it is available in almost all metals from highly precious ones to wooden bangles. The attractive designs in which bangles are available make it even more stunning and a woman’s beauty is considered incomplete without ornamenting with it. Apart from being an important ornament worn by a married woman, this ornament also has immense romantic and amorous connotations as well. The sound of a woman’s bangles expresses her presence and her wish to gain attention. Scientifically, it is known to increase a woman’s blood circulation level and channelize the energy passing through her outer skin. This is made possible by the circular shape of the ornament with the cute tinkling sound

Toe rings:
The most eminent scientific theory behind wearing toe rings is its help in making menstrual cycle regularized which is a common problem faced by women. The nerves in toes are connected to the uterus and passes through the heart. While a married woman does her chores while wearing these rings, the friction created help in revitalizing her reproductive organs.
As toe rings are generally made of silver, it absorbs energy from the earth and refreshes the entire body of the woman by passing the energy to it.
Ring:
Wearing a ring on the fourth finger from the thumb is directly connected to the nerve passing through this finger to the brain neuron cells. With metallic friction, women attain good health and get confidence to handle life with ease. The wedding ring worn in the middle finger is believed to be directly connected with the heart which helps in controlling the wearer’s emotions. Nowadays, rings of various stones are worn by women for various health benefits attached to a variety of gem stones.

Mangalsutra:
Mangalsutra is believed to control body pressure levels and make blood circulation regular in the body of the woman wearing it. Traditionally, the bridegroom gives it to the bride during the wedding and it is worn by the married woman symbolizing feelings of love and commitment between the married couple.

Hip/Belly Belt:
Hip or popularly known as belly belts are not regularly used by women, but only during wedding or some festive occasions. Nowadays, it is also used by many women in modern designs to add to their glam quotient. Scientifically, these belts are believed to prevent saturation of fat in the waist and help in maintaining a woman’s figure. 
This describes why a woman does ‘solah shringar’ as it’s not only to add to her beauty, but for various other logical reasons attached to it.
Source: Cultural India.net February 10, 2021