Jewellery and Women

Women and jewellery can be described as made for each other couple-one cannot be without the other. Yes, such is the passion that women have for jewellery, and jewellery have no existence of itself without women. Women being one of the most beautiful creations of god, look all the more beautiful when they adorn themselves with that inexhaustible range of jewelleries.

Womens’ fascination for jewellery can be traced back to almost 5000 years ago, when metals were even not discovered. India’s connection to jewellery dates back to ancient civilisations at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro. Although trends, styles and traditions have changed with time, yet it can be undoubtedly mentioned that the passion for jewellery has increased manifold and still remains a favourite with women.

Each item of jewellery wore by women has certain spiritual and scientific significance, some of which can be highlighted as follows, beginning from head to toe-:

·         Mangtika also known as Sinthi usually worn on the top of the forehead in the parting of the hair. It can be of a single chain with a pendant at the end of the chain clasping the hair, or a three-string chain spreading across the middle and two sides of the forehead. Women mostly wear this on their wedding day, is a symbol of marriage. Scientifically, the metal helps in proper blood circulation. It is generally made of gold, silver, kundan, beads etc.

·         Nose ring or Nath or Mukuthi as it is popularly called is jewellery for the nose. Traditionally, it symbolises purity and marriage, although nowadays unmarried girls also wear them. According to science, it regularises breathe and also to some extent eliminates the poison coming out while exhaling carbon dioxide.

·         Ear rings or Karn Bali is for the ears. In India, there is a special custom in every culture for piercing a girl’s ears which is held very sacred. In earlier times it was considered as a symbol of women’s wealth and status in the society, also her mental and physical well being. In terms of science, ear is identified as a microcosm of the entire body, also a vital point for acu-pressure, helps in improving the vision.

·         Necklace in form of a chain with a pendant is for the neck. Made of gold mostly, besides beads, silver, stones and platinum is also used. Popular among girls and women of all age, but Mangalsutra, a form of necklace, is mostly worn by married women. It is not only a symbol of marriage but also is considered auspicious for husband’s long life. It regularises the blood pressure and helps in maintaining the body pressure level to a maximum extent. It is better to hide it under your clothes so that the scientific benefits from it will be more because of the release of friction on gold touching the body for a longer period of time.

·         Armlet or Baju bandh for the hand wore in its upper part, made of gold, silver, beads, etc. In earlier days it was considered as a protection against evil spirits. In terms of science, it helps in proper regulation of blood in the hand. But then it should not be tight because that would hamper blood circulation in the hand.

·         Bangles or Chudi or Kangan, is for the wrist. It is made of gold, silver, bronze, glass, plastic, etc. Although it is worn by girls and women of every age, it is symbolises a protective band for their husbands and their long life. Its constant friction increases the blood circulation level. Furthermore the electricity passing out through outer skin is again reverted to the body because bangles have no ends to pass the energy outside but send it back to the body because of its circular shape.

·         Rings or Anghuti or Mudi is for the fingers. Made of gold and silver, if wore on the fourth finger from the thumb, also called as ring finger, then it symbolises marriage. Generally, women wear rings on every finger. Nerves passing through the fingers are evenly spread to the entire brain neuron cells, and any frequent metallic friction caused through the ornaments on the fingers especially through the ring finger is good for health.

·          Waist chain or Kamar bandh mostly made of silver is worn on the waist. It is primarily an item of decoration, and scientifically helps in maintaining the waist size by preventing it from increasing.

·         Anklets or Payal is for the ankles. Mostly made of silver and bronze, and not gold because gold is considered sacred not to be used in anklet. It is basically for the purpose of beauty, wore by girls and women of every age group. It also increases the body energy due to friction and reverts it back to the body.

·         Toe ring or Jhuntia or Bichhia or Metti is for the toes. Particularly used by married women as a symbol of marriage. It is made of silver and not gold, wore in the second toe finger. It is believed that it helps in maintaining and the reproductive organs. Further, silver being a good conductor, it also absorbs the polar energies from the earth and passes it to the body, thus revitalising the whole body.

During Vedic era, women wore around 48 types of jewellery most of which are unknown today, or even difficult to trace. However, the above mentioned jewelleries are not only common in all ages but the minimum that every women adorns herself with lavishly.