Why Do Indian Women Wear Bangles?
Bangles are a type of ornament worn by women in India. Also called Kangan or Chudi in Hindi, bangles come in various colors and are symbols of matrimony. A single bangle worn by a man is called a Kada and in Sikhs or Sardars, the father of the bride gives a bangle or kada made from gold to the groom. Kada is a circular shaped bangle having religious significance for Sikhs, and is made from iron, white metal or gold.
In India, bangles are very popular and with growing fashion trends, have become a highly popular in their various designs and forms. No longer are bangles just made in a circular shape with glass. Today, bangles are made from various materials and can be found in many shapes such as round, rectangular, oval etc. Worn in pairs, one on both arms, bangles are colorful, beautiful, and enhance the beauty of women who wear them. Gold, silver, wood, ferrous metals, plastic, rubber, and glass among other things are used extensively to make bangles. However, tradition demands that Hindu women wear gold and glass bangles or only gold or glass bangles.
Gold bangles studded with semi-precious gems, or diamonds, pearls or just plain gold bangles with pretty designs are popular with women in India. The range of these bangles can range from downright simple to extremely intricate. Generally, a single bangle is adorned by women across the world in various variations such as bracelet. But in other regions such as the Arabian Peninsula and South Asia, bangles have been evolved into a wide range and each is used for different occasions.
Firozabad in Uttar Pradesh, India is the single largest producer of glass bangles. Hyderabad, capital of Andhra Pradesh State, also has a historic bangle market called Laad Bazar. In Pakistan, glass bangles come from Hyderabad (Pakistan).
SIGNIFICANCE OF BANGLES
Bangles have been a part of the Indian culture for many centuries, but the new trendy bangles are more versatile than ever before. Available just bout anywhere, designer bangles are even sold in malls, jewelry shops. But the real deal is the glass bangles…a pious symbol of matrimony.
Glass bangles have many interesting symbolisms. Here are some of them.
Bangles and Honeymoon – During an Indian wedding, the bride tries to wear the smallest glass bangles. She is helped by her best friend or sister to do this using scented oil. It’s believed that smaller bangles symbolize a happy and loving marriage and a wonderful honeymoon (that last until the very last bangle breaks!).
Bangles - Husband and Luck – A married Indian woman is required to wear bangles (green or red depending on which region they belong to) on a day to day basis because bangles are symbolic of safety, marriage and luck for their husbands. Sudden breaking of glass bangles is considered a sign of danger or an unpleasant incident involving the husband.
Bangles have been found in many archaeological sites in India, with the oldest examples dating back to 2,000 B.C. or earlier. Those early bangles were usually made from copper, bronze, agate, or shell and some feature rivets or gold-leaf decoration as well.
While girls in traditional Indian society are allowed to wear bangles, married women are generally expected to wear bangles. The jewelry is primarily associated with matrimony, signifying marriage in the same way that the Western wedding ring does. Sikh brides wear red and white carved bangles called "chuda" on their wedding day. After a Hindu woman's husband dies, she breaks her glass wedding bangles in an act of mourning..
Glass bangles hold different meanings according to their color. Some regions have specific bangles associated with their local traditions, and there is a more general color code for bangles as well.
The following are those symbols.
Red bangles symbolize energy.
Blue bangles symbolize wisdom.
Purple symbolizes independence.
Green stands for luck or marriage.
Yellow is for happiness.
Orange bangles mean success.
White ones mean new beginnings.
Black ones mean power.
Silver bangles mean strength.
Golden bangles bring fortune.
An Indian bride on her wedding day will sometimes attempt to put on as small a glass bangle as possible; smaller bangles are thought to symbolize more happiness during the honeymoon and afterward. Friends or sisters often aid the bride in this task by sliding the bangle on with scented oils. After the wedding, the woman continues to wear her bangles as a charm of safety and luck for her husband, and if the bangle breaks before the husband's death, it is considered an ill omen.
The largest producer of glass bangles in India is Firozabad, located in Uttar Pradesh. A historical bangle market called Laad Bazar is located in Hyderabad, India, and has been operational for over 500 years. In Pakistan, most bangles come from the Pakistani region of Hyderabad, which is separate from the Indian region.
