Indian Jewellery - Heritage And Tradition With A Modern Twist
Indian jewellery is a perfect example of how traditionalism and modernism can coexist in perfect harmony. Whether it’s the jhumka, kundan necklace, tikka or any other form of head adornment that they take, Indian women have always been super appreciative and enamoured with their jewellery. From the red fire of ruby to the blue ice of sapphire, different colours and hues in Indian jewellery stand out as a specific marker of its rich heritage. While some pieces are strictly for festivals (Kundan Chokern Necklace), others are just everyday wear but with a subtle cultural touch (e.g., jhumkas). In this article, we will explore everything about Indian jewellery that you need to know from its origins and traditions to contemporary trends.
What’s The Cultural Significance Of Indian Jewellery?
As we saw above, the cultural significance of Indian jewellery is a lot more than meets the eye. Whether you wear jhumkas or tikka, a bindi or mehendi (henna), it tells the whole world about your heritage, tradition, and culture. First and foremost, Indian jewellery is all about adorning your body and making it more beautiful. It is a reflection of your personality and also a tool to express your identity. Since ancient times, jewellery has been a preferred mode of adorning one’s body and a sign of prosperity and power. Indian women have been wearing jewellery since time immemorial and the trend continues to this day. The jewellery a woman wears is an inseparable part of her identity. It is not a mere accessory, but a representation of her and her culture.
Types of Indian Jewellery
Indian jewellery comes in a variety of forms and types. Some of the most common forms of jewellery worn by Indian women include jhumkas, mang tikka, and kundan necklace.
Jhumkas - Jhumkas are the most popular form of earrings worn by Indian women. They are usually large in size and come in a number of designs and patterns such as the traditional Indian style, the western style, and the retro style. There are also a number of materials and stones that jhumkas are made of. Some of these include gold, silver, diamonds, ruby, emerald, amethyst, and many others.
Mang Tikka- A tikka is a decorative piece of jewellery worn at the centre of the forehead. It is usually worn during religious festivals such as Diwali and Dussehra or traditional ceremonies like Sangeet, Mehndi, and Mehendi.
Mang Tulsi- A mang Tulsi is a garland or string of Tulsi beads that is worn by women. The Tulsi is a sacred plant in Hinduism and wearing its beads is believed to bring good luck and health.
Kundan Jewellery- A kundan jewelleryis a traditional form of Indian jewellery that is a special type of necklace, earrings, & mang tikka. It is usually worn by Indian women in the northern parts of India.
Jhumkas - Jhumkas are the most popular form of earrings worn by Indian women. They are usually large in size and come in a number of designs and patterns such as the traditional Indian style, the western style, and the retro style. There are also a number of materials and stones that jhumkas are made of. Some of these include gold, silver, diamonds, ruby, emerald, amethyst, and many others.
Mang Tikka- A tikka is a decorative piece of jewellery worn at the centre of the forehead. It is usually worn during religious festivals such as Diwali and Dussehra or traditional ceremonies like Sangeet, Mehndi, and Mehendi.
Mang Tulsi- A mang Tulsi is a garland or string of Tulsi beads that is worn by women. The Tulsi is a sacred plant in Hinduism and wearing its beads is believed to bring good luck and health.
Kundan Jewellery- A kundan jewelleryis a traditional form of Indian jewellery that is a special type of necklace, earrings, & mang tikka. It is usually worn by Indian women in the northern parts of India.