MAYIN Guides

Bindi Styles and Meaning: Designs, Eyeliner Bindi and How to Wear One

By Nishita Nathani19 min read

Amélie red floral print pure chiffon saree by MAYIN

A bindi is a dot or small design worn in the middle of the forehead, between the eyebrows. Its meaning depends on who is wearing it: for many Hindu women it is part of everyday faith or a festive look, in many communities a red bindi is linked with marriage, and today plenty of people of many faiths and none wear one simply because they like how it looks with a saree. This guide covers its meaning and history, how it differs from sindoor and tilak, placement, shapes and regional styles, stick-on, powder and liquid bindis, the eyeliner bindi, which bindi suits which saree, and skin care.

At a glance
Binduthe Sanskrit root: a point, drop or dot
Centrebetween the brows, at or just above the brow line
4 kindsstick-on, powder, liquid and eyeliner
Optionalcustoms vary by region and family
In this guide

What a Bindi Means, and a Short History

The word comes from the Sanskrit bindu, meaning a point, a drop or a dot. Across India it goes by many names: teep in Bengali, tikli in Hindi and Marathi, pottu in Tamil and Malayalam, bottu in Telugu, and often chandlo in Gujarati. The same small mark carries different meanings in different homes, and those meanings have shifted over time, so it is better to think of several meanings than one.

Five ways people read the bindi
A mark of faithMany Hindu, Jain and Buddhist women wear the bindi, and occasionally men. For many it is part of puja and temple visits.
The third eyeIn Hindu and yogic tradition, the spot between the brows is linked with the ajna chakra, often called the third eye. This is a belief, held by many, not a medical claim.
Good fortuneRed is widely read as auspicious, and a red dot is often described as a sign of good fortune.
Marriage, in many communitiesIn many Hindu communities a red bindi is traditionally linked with married women. It is a tradition, not a universal rule.
Simply decorationMarried and unmarried women alike wear bindis today as a finishing touch, in every colour and shape.

Because the meaning is personal, so is the choice to wear one. Our saree accessories guide calls the bindi optional styling: wear what is yours, as your family or your own taste suggests.

How the bindi has been worn
Early figurinesRed on the foreheadSome Indus Valley figurines show red pigment on the forehead; what it meant is unclear.
Before stickersKumkum and waxA little wax or balm pressed through a small ring or disc, then dusted with kumkum.
Ornamental bindisLac, glass, mica, goldDecorative bindis of lac, glass, mica and gold were worn long before stickers.
Liquid kumkumA bottle and a stickReady made liquid kumkum became a common way to draw a neat dot.
1980s and 1990sFelt stick-onsFelt stick-on bindis spread through Indian cities, then every shape, colour and stone.

Stick-ons were quick, did not smudge in heat and came in endless designs, so many women moved from liquid kumkum to stickers. Powder and liquid kumkum are still common for puja, and the eyeliner bindi is a popular modern option.

Bindi, Sindoor, Tilak and Kumkum: What Is the Difference?

These four words get mixed up, partly because the same red powder can be used for more than one. The simplest way to keep them apart is by where they go.

Four words, four places
WordWhere it goesWhat it is
BindiCentre of the forehead, between the browsA dot or design, drawn or stuck on. Worn by women of many backgrounds, for faith, custom or style.
SindoorThe hair parting (maang)A red or orange red powder. In many Hindu communities it is first applied at the wedding, in the sindoor daan, and many married women wear it after that.
TilakThe forehead, often a larger or longer markA broader devotional mark of paste or powder, often applied at a temple or a ritual, and worn by men as well as women.
KumkumThe material, not the placeA red powder traditionally made from turmeric mixed with a little slaked lime, which turns it red. Used for bindis, tilaks and puja.

A red bindi and sindoor are often worn together, especially for festivals such as Karwa Chauth, Teej and Durga Puja, but they are separate customs. As our Bengali saree look puts it, sindoor is a personal custom, not part of the saree. If you are a guest at a pujo, our Durga Puja saree guide explains Sindoor Khela and how to dress for it.

Where to Place a Bindi, and What Size

The classic spot is the centre of the forehead, between the eyebrows, at or just above the line of the brows. A small dot sits close to that line; the bigger the bindi, the higher it usually sits, so a large round bindi has room above the brows rather than crowding them. Look straight into a mirror with your face level, then touch a fingertip to the spot before you place anything. A bindi that sits slightly off-centre is easy to notice, so take a moment to get it straight.

Bindi sizes, by eye
SizeLooks likeSuits
Tiny dotA pinpointOffice, interviews and everyday cotton; studs or no earrings at all.
SmallA lentilEveryday and casual looks, haldi mornings, a daytime puja at home.
MediumSmaller than a fingertipFestivals, wedding guest looks and evenings, with jhumkas or drops.
LargeAbout a fingertip, or largerThe Bengali pujo look, Karwa Chauth and big festive days, with big jhumkas.

The easiest rule for size is the one in our jewellery for a saree guide: scale the bindi to your earrings, so a small dot goes with studs and a larger round bindi with big jhumkas. Put the bindi on last, after your hair, drape and jewellery, so you can judge it against the whole look; our hairstyles for a saree guide explains why hair comes first.

Stylists often suggest a narrow or teardrop bindi to add a little length to a round face, and a wider round one for a long face, while oval faces suit most shapes. Treat this as a styling convention rather than a rule; the full face-shape table is in our saree accessories guide.

Bindi Shapes and Designs

Most bindi designs are variations on a few basic shapes, whether you buy a sticker or draw your own.

Eight bindi designs
Round dotThe classic, from a tiny point to a large festive circle. Works with every saree.
TeardropA round base drawn up to a point. Adds a little length and suits festive looks.
Vertical lineA short, slim upright line. Clean and modern, good with office and indo-western looks.
CrescentA curved moon shape, often with a small dot above or below it. The heart of the Maharashtrian chandrakor.
Stone or jewelledA single stone or a small cluster on a sticker. For parties, receptions and evening sarees.
Dots and swirlsRows of small dots or curves across the brow, as in some Bengali bridal looks.
Two toneA red dot with a thin line or a second colour below it, often seen in South India.
Designer stick-onOrnate shapes in metallic or glitter finishes, made to echo zari or sequin work.

For everyday wear, one plain shape in one colour usually looks best. Save jewelled and multi-part designs for evenings, weddings and festivals.

Regional Bindi Styles

Many regions have a festive bindi of their own, though families and communities within each do things differently. These are the styles most often described; none is worn by everyone in that region.

Bindi styles across India
WhereOften calledThe typical style
BengalTeepA large round red bindi, the strongest signal of the Bengali pujo look. Bridal looks often add small red and white dots or swirls of kumkum and sandalwood paste across the brow.
MaharashtraChandrakor; kunku for kumkumA crescent, often with a small round dot above or below it, worn with the nauvari drape and a nath on festive days.
South IndiaPottu, bottuOften a smaller red bindi, sometimes with a white line below it, or an elongated red mark.
North IndiaBindi, tikliA round red bindi is common for festivals such as Karwa Chauth and Teej in many families; smaller dots in every colour day to day.

For the full Bengali look, with the red and white saree, shankha and pola and alta, read our Bengali saree look. For festival dressing in the north, our Karwa Chauth saree guide and Teej saree guide cover the colours and the solah shringar, the traditional adornments, whose lists vary by family.

Stick-On, Powder or Liquid: Which Kind of Bindi?

The kind of bindi you choose decides how long it lasts, how it looks up close and how easy it is to take off.

Five ways to wear a bindi
KindGood forWatch for
Felt stick-onQuick, neat and the same every time. Lasts through heat and a long day.The adhesive can irritate some skin. Will not stick well on oily skin or over heavy foundation.
Stone or designer stick-onEvenings, weddings and festive looks; adds sparkle without jewellery.Heavier stones can lift at the edges. Keep it small with a busy saree.
Kumkum powderPuja, temple visits and traditional looks; a soft, matte red.Smudges with sweat and can mark the pallu. Needs a little base, such as a dab of balm, to hold.
Liquid kumkum or liquid bindiA crisp, round dot you can size yourself; dries matte.Needs a steady hand. Two thin layers look neater than one thick one.
Eyeliner or kajalAny shape, any day, from things you already own; easy to adjust.Can smudge in humid weather unless set with a little powder.

To make a stick-on stay put, press it onto clean, oil-free skin: blot the spot, or place it after your setting powder rather than straight onto foundation. Hold it for a few seconds so the adhesive warms. After wearing, put it back on its card and it can often be used again. Carry a few spares in your bag on a festival day, as our Bengali saree look suggests for pujo.

How to Make an Eyeliner Bindi, Step by Step

An eyeliner bindi is drawn with a liner or kajal pencil instead of stuck on: handy when you have run out of stickers, when adhesive does not suit your skin, or when you want a shape you cannot buy. A black dot is the easiest to start with; for red or maroon, a red liquid liner or liquid kumkum works the same way.

The eyeliner bindi, start to finish
1
Choose your toolA fine liquid or gel liner with a thin brush, a freshly sharpened kajal pencil, or liquid kumkum. Use cosmetics made for the face and eyes.
2
Find the centreFace the mirror straight on, find the midpoint between your brows, and mark it with a tiny dot at or just above the brow line.
3
Steady your handRest your elbow on a table and your little finger on your cheek. Short, light touches are easier to control than one stroke.
4
Build a round dotStart from the tiny dot and work outward in small circles until it is the size you want. Or stamp it: press the tip of a cotton bud loaded with liner onto the mark.
5
Draw other shapesFor a teardrop, place the round dot first, then pull a fine stroke upward to a point. For a crescent, draw the curve first, then add the small dot.
6
Set itOnce it is fully dry, press a little translucent powder over it with a fingertip so it does not smudge in heat.
7
Tidy the edgesDip a pointed cotton bud in micellar water and trace the edge to sharpen the shape or fix a wobble.
8
Remove it at nightUse an oil-based remover or cleansing balm, held on for a few seconds, then wipe gently.

A kajal pencil gives a softer dot than liquid liner, which suits cotton and everyday looks; liquid liner gives the crisp edge that looks right with chiffon and evening make-up. If your liner smudges by midday, the powder step usually helps.

Bindi by Saree, Colour and Occasion

Manjari red striped mul cotton saree with zari by MAYIN

A bindi is small but sits at the centre of your face, so it needs to agree with everything else. The rule our saree accessories guide gives for all accessories works here too: echo a colour rather than copy it. Pick one colour from the print, border or zari and repeat it once, in the bindi, the bag or the stones in your earrings.

Bindi colours and where they fit
The red family
Sindoor red
Red
Maroon
Deep and quiet
Black
Wine
Navy
Metal and shine
Gold
Silver
Pearl
Taken from the saree
Green
Pink
Purple

Red is the festive classic and goes with almost every saree colour. Maroon is the quieter choice with maroon and wine sarees. A small black dot is the easy everyday and office choice. Gold or silver stones follow the same rule as jewellery: with zari, match the zari’s metal. A coloured bindi taken from the saree, a green dot from a green stripe or a purple one with purple, is the modern way to wear it with prints.

Bindi ideas with MAYIN sarees
Red with red
Red, gold
Amélie, a red floral print pure chiffon, and Manjari, red striped mul cotton with zari, take a round red bindi for festivals, or a small stone for a party. More pairings in our red saree look.
Maroon with maroon
Maroon, gold
Main Event, maroon red handloom linen with a zari border, and Vintage Wine, a maroon red floral print chiffon with hand embroidery, suit a maroon bindi. For an evening, a small stone works with Vintage Wine.
A colour from the print
Multicolour, white
With Tokyo, a multicolour striped mul cotton, pick one stripe for the bindi. With Moonlit Pearl, white mul modal with block printed polka dots, a small dot in the colour of the polka dots echoes the print.
Red on green
Green, red
Red and green is a classic pairing, so Emerald, a green striped mul cotton with zari, takes a red bindi beautifully, with a red blouse if you want to repeat it.
A small dot for work
Black, pink
After Dark, plain black mul cotton, Mauve Melody, plain pink mul modal, and Corner Office, multicolour checked handloom linen, look sharp with a tiny black or maroon dot, or none.
A little sparkle
Gold, pink
Ruby, red pure chiffon with gold sequin work, and Encore, a pink and orange pure chiffon with mukaish work, already shine, so a small stone bindi is enough. The same goes for Miss Earth, yellow handloom cotton tissue with embroidery and zari.
Which bindi for which day
OccasionBindiWhy
Office and interviewsA tiny black or maroon dot, or noneNeat and quiet. Our guide to a professional look in a saree keeps the rest just as simple.
Everyday cottonA small dot in a colour from the sareeEasy, fresh and quick to put on.
Puja at home or a temple visitA small to medium red bindi, or kumkumTraditional and calm; kumkum is often offered at the puja itself.
Durga PujaA large round red bindiThe signature of the Bengali pujo look for many women, with a red and white saree, alta and gold.
Karwa Chauth and TeejRed, traditionally, in many familiesPart of the solah shringar for many married women; follow your family.
HaldiA small bindiTurmeric paste goes near the face, so skip anything heavy, as our haldi saree guide says.
Wedding guest and receptionA medium red bindi or a small stoneDressier sarees take a little more; scale it to your earrings.
Party and cocktailA small stone or a slim lineSparkle without competing with sequins or mukaish.
Maharashtrian festive lookA chandrakor crescentWorn with the nauvari drape and a nath in many families.

Should the bindi match the saree? It does not have to. A red bindi suits almost every colour; matching it to a strong saree colour works for festivals, while a small black dot is the neutral choice that never clashes. The one thing to avoid is a big, sparkly bindi with an equally busy saree and heavy jewellery; one focal point is enough. Our party wear saree styling guide has complete evening looks.

Bindi With Western Wear, and Who Wears One

Many women wear a small bindi with jeans and a kurta. Keep it to a tiny dot or slim line that echoes one colour in the outfit. The same goes for indo-western saree looks such as a saree with a belt or a shirt; our indo-western saree looks guide has ideas.

Who can wear a bindi?
Unmarried womenWear any bindi you like, red included. Customs about colour vary by family, and today bindis of every colour are worn as decoration.
MenA tilak is the more common forehead mark for men, often applied at a temple or a ritual, though some men wear a bindi too.
Other faiths, and nonePeople of many faiths and none wear a teep or bindi in South Asia, often as part of a festive or cultural look.
Outside IndiaWhen pop stars wore bindis on stage, some Hindus objected while others welcomed it as an embrace of Indian culture. Both views are still heard.

If you want to wear one, it helps to know what it means to the people around you, and at a religious event, to follow your host’s lead.

Taking It Off, and Caring for Your Skin

The forehead is sensitive skin, and both stickers and powders can react with it. One small Indian clinic study of people with skin reactions to cosmetics found kumkum behind most of the cases, with sticker bindi adhesive behind a smaller number. Some bindi adhesives have also been linked to pale patches where the bindi sits. Tests abroad have also found lead in some sindoor and kohl products, so buy labelled cosmetics from a seller you trust.

Good to know
If a bindi, kumkum or liner leaves itching, redness, or darker or paler skin where it sits, stop using it, and see a doctor if it persists.
Bindi removal and skin care
Do
✓Peel a stick-on slowly from one edge; a drop of oil or warm water loosens a stubborn one.
✓Take off powder, liquid and eyeliner bindis with an oil-based remover or micellar water.
✓Cleanse the spot gently at night, so adhesive and pigment are not left on overnight.
✓Keep stickers on their card, and throw away any that have lost their shape.
Avoid
✕Scrubbing or pulling a sticker off dry skin.
✕Sleeping in a bindi, especially a stick-on.
✕Wearing one over broken or irritated skin.
✕Sharing liquid kumkum sticks or liners.

Kumkum and sindoor can also mark fabric. On a plain cotton saree whose label allows hand washing, brush dry powder off first, then rinse from the back in cold water before it sets. Chiffon, linen, tissue and jamdani sarees, and any saree with zari, embroidery or hand painting, should go to the dry cleaner; tell them the mark is kumkum. Our Durga Puja saree guide and how to wash and store sarees cover the details.

Sarees in This Guide

Shop sarees to wear with a bindi

Browse red sarees for the classic red bindi look, Karwa Chauth sarees and Durga Puja sarees for festival days, festive wear sarees and wedding sarees for dressier occasions, or all our sarees. To finish the look, read jewellery for a saree, bangles with a saree and the saree accessories guide.

Questions People Ask

What is the meaning of a bindi?

The word comes from the Sanskrit bindu, a point or dot. Depending on who wears it, a bindi can be a mark of faith, a sign of good fortune, a sign of marriage in many Hindu communities, or simply decoration.

Why do Indian women wear a bindi?

For many it is part of faith, puja or family custom; in Hindu and yogic belief the spot between the brows is linked with the third eye. Many women also wear one simply because they like how it finishes a saree.

Can unmarried women wear a red bindi?

Yes. Customs about colour vary by family, and today married and unmarried women alike wear bindis of every colour, red included.

What is the difference between a bindi, sindoor and a tilak?

A bindi is a dot or design between the brows; sindoor is red powder in the hair parting, worn by married women in many Hindu communities; a tilak is a broader devotional forehead mark, worn by men as well as women.

What is kumkum made of?

Traditionally, turmeric mixed with a little slaked lime, which turns it red. Commercial versions vary, so read the label.

Where exactly should a bindi go?

In the centre of the forehead, between the brows, at or just above the brow line. Larger bindis usually sit a little higher.

Which bindi suits a round face?

Stylists often suggest a narrow vertical or teardrop bindi, which adds a little length. Treat it as a convention rather than a rule.

How do you make a bindi with eyeliner?

Mark the centre with a tiny dot, build it outward in small circles with a fine liner or kajal pencil, then set it with a little translucent powder once it is dry.

What is a chandrakor bindi?

A crescent-shaped bindi, often with a small dot above or below it, traditionally worn in Maharashtra with the nauvari drape.

What bindi goes with a red saree?

A round red bindi for festive looks, maroon with deep reds, a small black dot for everyday, or a small stone for parties.

What does a black bindi mean?

There is no single meaning. Today a small black dot is mostly a style choice that suits office and everyday looks, and customs vary by family.

How do I make a sticker bindi stay on?

Press it onto clean, oil-free skin, after setting powder rather than over foundation, and hold it for a few seconds. Keep it on its card afterwards to reuse it.

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