A bindi is a small dot or sticker worn on the center of the forehead, originally by Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs from the Indian subcontinent). The term "bindi" comes from the Sanskrit word "bindú" meaning "point, drop, dot or small particle"). It is traditionally worn by women for religious purposes or to indicate that theyre married. However, today, the bindi has also become popular among women of all ages as a beauty mark, and it comes in all colors, shapes, and sizes. The red bindi has multiple meanings, including a cosmetic mark used to enhance beauty). A traditional bindi is red or maroon in color, and a pinch of vermilion powder is applied with a ring-finger to make a dot). A small annular disc aids application for beginners, and a sticky wax paste is applied through the empty center of the disc. This is then covered with kumkum or vermilion, and then the dot is made). The bindi has religious and symbolic roles, and it can also act as a fashion statement. The bindi maintains its associations with religious practices, and some women wear a bindi specifically during the performance of auspicious rituals. The bindi also serves as a sign of marriage, guaranteeing a wedded woman the blessings and social status of the institution. In some cultures, if a woman becomes a widow, she either replaces the red bindi with a black one or a dash of white ash or stops wearing a bindi altogether.