So I see a red dot - like a sun or something between the brows. and then three lines smeared across the forehead over the red spot?
Why is this?
Namaste,
I am surprised you would not know this. The red dot is fairly obvious it represents the third eye/ajnana chakra.
The rest will be explained by this article: http://www.sanskrit.org/www/Hindu%20Primer/marksonforehead.html
[QUOTE=The Scales;34829]So I see a red dot - like a sun or something between the brows. and then three lines smeared across the forehead over the red spot?
Why is this?[/QUOTE]
Because you’ve been playing with your mums make up again lol
[QUOTE=YogiAdam;34841]Because you’ve been playing with your mums make up again lol[/QUOTE]
That was an inappropriate, silly and immature comment that did nothing to contribute anything towards this thread.
You are 30+ going on 18.
[QUOTE=YogiAdam;34841]Because you’ve been playing with your mums make up again lol[/QUOTE]
That was only one time to see what it was like.
[QUOTE=The Scales;34852]That was only one time to see what it was like.[/QUOTE]
Careful, it can become addictive lol
[QUOTE=Surya Deva;34831]Namaste,
I am surprised you would not know this. The red dot is fairly obvious it represents the third eye/ajnana chakra.
The rest will be explained by this article: http://www.sanskrit.org/www/Hindu%20Primer/marksonforehead.html[/QUOTE]
Why do Hindus wear marks on the forehead?
In Sanskrit the name for these marks is tilaka, which literally means, “ornament.” In Hindi the word is shortened to tika. There are three basic uses for tilaka marks. Two are most common: the mark (bindu) worn by ladies as part of their makeup, and the red “dot” that is applied during puja. A third use has to do with religious designation and is worn primarily by priests and other religious people.
In kulalini-yoga certain places on the body are known as chakras or places of “psychic openings.” One of the most important of these places is the space between the eyes just above the eyebrows. This is sometimes called the place of the third eye. Commonly ladies will mark this place with makeup or a stick-on bindu (in Hindi it is called a bhindi). Similarly, during puja a priest will apply a dot of red powder (called kukumam) at this same location to both man and ladies. I sometimes think of applying the red tilaka during puja as “logging the person in” to the puja. I explain the tilaka mark by saying: God has given us two eyes by which we see the physical world, now this tilaka is a symbolic third eye by which we can see spiritual reality.
The tilaka marks worn by priests and other religious people has a completely different purpose. Essentially the lines of tilaka are sectarian marks that indicate which school of Hindu theology (sampradaya) the person is coming from. They are identification marks. There are three categories indicating the three basic grouping within Hunduism. Horizontal lines for followers of Shiva (Shaivas see…), vertical lines for followers of Vishnu (Vaishnavas see…) and straight on marks for followers of Devi (Shaaktas). Within each of these categories of devotees there are many variations, black lines, red lines, yellow lines, curved lines, rounded lines, and so on. Each of these configurations indicate the particular school of theology within each group, and there are many many designation even within a single group. See the illustrations that show a few of the main designations.
These kind of tilaka are applied not just on the forehead as in the case of the bindu or tilaka during puja, but are applied to many different locations on the body above the waist. Usually there are 12 locations, but this can vary according to the sampradaya. You might think of this as marking the body as a temple of God. Each time a tilaka is applied a mantra or name of God is recited. In this way the body is sanctified. This affects not only the wearer of these marks, but also observers. “Oh this man is a Shaiva priest, I see his tilaka. I am in the presence of a priest.”
[B]Thanks for the link. I had a theory.
I was thinking perhaps there was a secret significance to the marks than simply a means of devotee designation. The Devottee designation makes zero sense to me. three lines for Shiva. two horizontal lines for vishnu/krsna. Why?
And from as far as I can tell Ajna isn’t red at all. I could be wrong of course. but i think not. [/B]
[QUOTE=The Scales;34854]Why do Hindus wear marks on the forehead?
In Sanskrit the name for these marks is tilaka, which literally means, “ornament.” In Hindi the word is shortened to tika. There are three basic uses for tilaka marks. Two are most common: the mark (bindu) worn by ladies as part of their makeup, and the red “dot” that is applied during puja. A third use has to do with religious designation and is worn primarily by priests and other religious people.
In kulalini-yoga certain places on the body are known as chakras or places of “psychic openings.” One of the most important of these places is the space between the eyes just above the eyebrows. This is sometimes called the place of the third eye. Commonly ladies will mark this place with makeup or a stick-on bindu (in Hindi it is called a bhindi). Similarly, during puja a priest will apply a dot of red powder (called kukumam) at this same location to both man and ladies. I sometimes think of applying the red tilaka during puja as “logging the person in” to the puja. I explain the tilaka mark by saying: God has given us two eyes by which we see the physical world, now this tilaka is a symbolic third eye by which we can see spiritual reality.
The tilaka marks worn by priests and other religious people has a completely different purpose. Essentially the lines of tilaka are sectarian marks that indicate which school of Hindu theology (sampradaya) the person is coming from. They are identification marks. There are three categories indicating the three basic grouping within Hunduism. Horizontal lines for followers of Shiva (Shaivas see…), vertical lines for followers of Vishnu (Vaishnavas see…) and straight on marks for followers of Devi (Shaaktas). Within each of these categories of devotees there are many variations, black lines, red lines, yellow lines, curved lines, rounded lines, and so on. Each of these configurations indicate the particular school of theology within each group, and there are many many designation even within a single group. See the illustrations that show a few of the main designations.
These kind of tilaka are applied not just on the forehead as in the case of the bindu or tilaka during puja, but are applied to many different locations on the body above the waist. Usually there are 12 locations, but this can vary according to the sampradaya. You might think of this as marking the body as a temple of God. Each time a tilaka is applied a mantra or name of God is recited. In this way the body is sanctified. This affects not only the wearer of these marks, but also observers. “Oh this man is a Shaiva priest, I see his tilaka. I am in the presence of a priest.”
[B]Thanks for the link. I had a theory.
I was thinking perhaps there was a secret significance to the marks than simply a means of devotee designation. The Devottee designation makes zero sense to me. three lines for Shiva. two horizontal lines for vishnu/krsna. Why?
And from as far as I can tell Ajna isn’t red at all. I could be wrong of course. but i think not. [/B][/QUOTE]
oh and as far as the santification/consecration is this for each joint chakra?
two ankles
two knees
two hip sockets
two shoulders
two elbows
two wrists
= 12
The Tracks of Goraksha nath mention 16 “props”
as I was sitting on the toilet I remembered the Shiva linga (black stone) has the dot and three lines.
There must be something of significance to the three lines . . . ?
I think it is mostly just an arbitrary group desgination than having any deeper meaning. It is possible the three lines may represent the three eyes of Shiva. He also has a trident which maybe another reason for three lines.
The bindi or red dot being red has no connection to the ajnana chakra. It simply put there to mark its location or more accurately which part of the body it controls. Sometimes the colour can be yellow. It depends on the paste.
[QUOTE=Surya Deva;34883]I think it is mostly just an arbitrary group desgination than having any deeper meaning. It is possible the three lines may represent the three eyes of Shiva. He also has a trident which maybe another reason for three lines.
The bindi or red dot being red has no connection to the ajnana chakra. It simply put there to mark its location or more accurately which part of the body it controls. Sometimes the colour can be yellow. It depends on the paste.[/QUOTE]
From my investigations I don’t find anything arbitrary within the Iconography.
Arbitrary is so un hindu and so un yoga…
[QUOTE=The Scales;34854] Thanks for the link. I had a theory.
I was thinking perhaps there was a secret significance to the marks than simply a means of devotee designation. The Devottee designation makes zero sense to me. three lines for Shiva. two horizontal lines for vishnu/krsna. Why? [/QUOTE]
From: www.mahashivratri.org/about-lord-shiva.html
[B]The Vibhuti: Vibhuti is a three line of ashes drawn on the forehead that signifies the Immortality of the soul and manifested glory of the Lord.
[/B]
From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilak_(Vaishnava)
[B]The different Vaishnava sampradayas each have their own distinctive style of tilak based on the siddhanta of their particular lineage. The general tilak pattern is of two or more vertical lines resembling the letter U, which commonly represents the foot of Vishnu. [/B]
I’m glad someone asked this. I alway thought it was a ‘V’ on the forehead marking the vaishnavites, as in V for Vishnu. I am now corrected!
3 is a ocult sacred number that gives lot of significantes and interpretations
[QUOTE=The Scales;34829]So I see a red dot - like a sun or something between the brows. and then three lines smeared across the forehead over the red spot?
Why is this?[/QUOTE]
Can you draw it and post it here, i wander how it looks like.