What does the dot on forehead signify?

Answer 1

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All men and women used to wear it in some form or the other. Now a days, most men wear it only during worship and ceremonial occasions. Many women also do not wear it all the time.
Most experts would simply state the origin as unknown. I dare to suggest an origin. In the books on the lost continent of "Atlantis and Lemuria", one notes that the people of "Lemuria" had a third eye on their forehead. The South Indian mythology also points to such a lost continent. The dot on the forehead is a lot more popular in south than in the north. Both among men and women. Most human beings can feel the presence or absence of a infra red light at the center of the forehead. The popular God Shiva, who is timeless and formless has a third eye on his forehead. The dot signifies the third eye.
Now a days, it is more a beautiful beauty mark. Even many American pop stars wear it sometimes.

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it is

Answer 2

Dot on the forehead of a Female :

A BINDI.

It is part of Glamour in India - Females' decoration (SHRINGAR).

Are you not Indian ? Your name signifies to be.


Love, Peace and Happiness to all,

Answer 3

Tilak is a mark of auspiciousness. It is put on the forehead with sandal paste, sacred ashes or kumkum (red tumeric). The devotees of Siva apply sacred ashes (Bhasma) on the forehead, the devotees of Vishnu apply sandal paste (Chandan), and the worshippers of Devi or Shakti apply Kumkum, a red tumeric powder.

The scriptures say: "A forehead without a Tilak, a woman without a husband, a Mantra the meaning of which is not known while doing Japa (recitation), the head that does not bend before holy personages, a heart without mercy, a house without a well, a village without a temple, a country without a river, a society without a leader, wealth that is not given away in charity, a preceptor without a disciple, a country without justice, a king without an able minister, a woman not obedient to her husband, a well without water, a flower without smell, a soul devoid of holiness, a field without rains, an intellect without clearness, a disciple who does not consider his preceptor as a form of God, a body devoid of health, a custom (Achar) without purity, austerity devoid of fellow-feeling, speech in which truth is not the basis,
a country without good people, work without wages, Sannyasa without renunciation, legs that have not performed pilgrimages, determination unaided by Viveka or discrimination, a knife which is blunt, a cow that does not give milk, a spear without a point- all these are worthy of condemnation. They exist for name’s sake only."

Answer 4

1) Dot on forehead of females:

(i) As decoration:

A bindi (from Sanskrit bindu, meaning "a drop, small particle, dot") is a forehead decoration worn in South Asia (particularly India) and Southeast Asia. Traditionally it is a dot of red color applied in the center of the forehead close to the eyebrows, but it can also consist of a sign or piece of jewelry worn at this location.

Nowadays, bindis are worn throughout South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan) by women and girls, and no longer signify age, marital status, religious background or ethnic affiliation. The bindi has become a decorative item and is no longer restricted in colour or shape. Self-adhesive bindis (also known as sticker bindis) are available, usually made of felt or thin metal and adhesive on the other side. These are simple to apply, disposable substitutes for older tilak bindis. Sticker bindis come in many colors, designs, materials, and sizes. Fancier sticker bindis are decorated with sequins, glass beads, or rhinestones.

(ii) Marrital Status:

In addition to the bindi, in India, a vermilion mark in the parting of the hair just above the forehead is worn by married women as a symbol of their married status. During North Indian marriage ceremonies, the groom applies sindoor on the parting in the bride's hair.

(iii) Religious significance:

The area between the eyebrows (where the bindi is placed) is said to be the sixth chakra, ajna, the seat of "concealed wisdom". According to followers of Tantrism, this chakra is the exit point for kundalini energy. The bindi is said to retain energy and strengthen concentration. It is also said to protect against demons or bad luck.

2) Varieties of Tilaka by males:

Different Hindu traditions use different materials and shapes to make the tilaka.

Saivites typically use vibhuti in three horizontal lines across the forehead. A bindu of sandalwood paste with a dot of kumkum in the centre is often worn with the vibhuti. (tripundra).

Vaishnavas apply clay from a holy river or place (such as Vrindavan or the Yamuna river) which is sometimes mixed with sandalwood paste. They apply the material in two vertical lines, which may be connected at the bottom, forming either a simple U or Y shape. This tilaka is called the Urdhva Pundra Tilak. This is applied on the body in twelve places while reciting mantras to Lord Vishnu (Reference, Vasudeva Upanishad).

A central vertical line in red or yellow colour is also applied. The outer two lines represent Lord Vishnu's foot and the central line represents Goddess Lakshmi.

According to the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, gopi-chandana, or the sacred mud from Dwaraka, is applied on the body in twelve places while reciting mantras to Lord Vishnu. This process purifies one's body, designating it as a temple of the Lord. Besides purification, the tilak also offers the wearer protection from ghosts, evil influences, bad dreams, accidents and many other things. It keeps one's mind calm and allows one to constantly remember Lord Krishna.

Ganapatya use red sandal paste (rakta candana).

Shaktas use kumkuma, or powdered red turmeric. They draw one vertical line or dot.

Honorary tilakas (Raj Tilak and Vir Tilak): They are usually applied as a single vertical red line. Raj Tilak will be used while throning kings or inviting prominent personalities. Vir Tilak is used to anoint victors or leaders after a war or a game.

Source(s):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilaka
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bindi_(deco…
http://www.indiadivine.org/articles/34/1…
http://www.shastras.com/108upanishads/va…

Answer 5

i believe you are referring to people of the Hindu religion and it is a symbol of marriage.

Answer 6

If you're playing paintball, you're out!

Answer 7

Do what now?

Answer 8

Nothing but that it is a dot and the background is forehead.

Answer 9

Your plastic surgeon is drunk...

SEACREST OUT!.

Answer 10

Aim here.......

Answer 11

Usually marriage.

Answer 12

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bindi_(deco…

Answer 13

You're about to get shot by a sniper with a laser sight.

Answer 14

obedience.