In a religious context, the forehead marks worn by Hindu men, known as tilaka, are sectarian marks indicative of the religious following of the individual. A follower of Vishnu wears one or multiple vertical marks across the forehead whereas a …

It was a common symbol that was seen painted on the face or across the forehead of almost all the warriors. It was believed that it brought power and speed to the wearer. A lightning and zig-zag symbol, if painted in red, also symbolized the Thunderbird.

A dark-coloured Tilaka is said to be conducive to peace; a red one is the cause of winning over others. They say that a yellow one is conducive to prosperity and glory. A white one brings about salvation and is auspicious.

In Hinduism, the tilaka (Sanskrit: तिलक), colloquially known as a tika, is a mark worn usually on the forehead, at the point of the ajna chakra (third eye or spiritual eye) and sometimes other parts of the body such as the neck, hand, chest, or the arm. [1]

The modern forehead markings worn by Indian people and those of Indian descent have different names, depending on the type of marking and what the marking is made of. Red dots are called bindi or pottu. They are usually made of a paste called kumkum, which is made of turmeric powder, a yellow spice, which is common in India.

Feb 9, 2013 · Both men and women of the Northeast applied red paint on their foreheads and cheeks for certain occasions. (Paterek, 1994) Similarly, most Great Basin tribes applied basic designs for ceremonial gatherings; the favorite colors were red, black, yellow, and white.

White represented peace, purity, and light. Yellow symbolized death and mourning. Blue represented sadness and defeat. Each color carried spiritual meaning that was harnessed through painting one’s face. Cherokee face paint also conveyed social status and identity within the tribe.

Yellow or gold paint was associated with: Yellow often represented the power of the sun and its ability to illuminate darkness. It was also seen as uplifting and optimistic. Blue held special significance for many tribes that painted their faces:

It is a Sanskrit word derived from “Tilaka, ” meaning a mark; it is a very common practice in Hinduism. Males and females both apply Tilak most commonly on the forehead. It is applied on the Chest, Arms, and neck, apart from the forehead.

A young boy with a traditional tilaka, gazing at the camera outdoors.