I always wondered why little Indian girls’ ears were pierced…well, it has to do with chakras. Carol told us that the ears are one of seven energy centers on the body. So, by piercing the ears you tap into that energy and improve eyesight. Additionally, gold (usually 22 carats) is only worn above the waist. So, if you see jewelry on an Indian woman on ankles or toes, it is not gold, it’s some other metal. It is believed that women should be adorned – so, that is one of the reasons for the wrist bangles; another purpose in wearing the bangles and gold is that it signifies a woman is married. A woman goes through many steps once she is widowed, one of the steps is completed by crushing her glass bangles.
Here are some pictures below of a shop that sells gold to mainly an Indian clientele, but the owners are actually Chinese. Out of respect to the Hindu customers, there is a shrine (shown below).
I got the chance to have Carol demonstrate putting on a Sari – ON ME! It was great fun and I learned a lot about how they are made and why the side of a woman is considered a sensual area – usually shown when wearing a sari. Sorry, no side-showing of me today - I was fully clothed!!!
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