Ethnicity Of Bangles

Bangles are a type of ornament worn by women in India.  Also known as 'kangan' or 'chudi'. Ornaments which are extremely beautiful and mesmerising to ones eye. Since ancient time it carried a symbolic value in Indian culture. Though, in modern india gradual decline in its value can be seen, maybe because of changing trends and attire of indian women  or westernised effect on our culture.

Name any one colour- red, blue, orange, green, etc , - ranging from a soothing to a blingy one, Bangles in india captivates your eye. Often worn in pairs, they have become highly popular in their various designs and forms, not only in india but in other countries too. Though, bangle art range differently. From locally available, which is cheap and simple yet beautiful to a studded one with precious stones like diamond and rubies lined with gold or silver.

As already mentioned, bangles had carried a Tradition or a symbolic value with it. It is considered inauspicious for a woman to have bare arms. Traditionally, married Hindu women always weary bangles around their wrists. It's just not an ornament, it has been a symbol of womenhood and honor.

Also it's a symbol of 'suhaag' in Hinduism.  For example, specially famous in punjabi culture, bride is decorated with sets of bangles, rather known as 'chuda' on the occasion of marriage. Also women wearing bangles signify that she preach her husbands safety and long life. However,  looking through grey side, after a Hindu woman's husband dies, she breaks her wedding bangles in an act of mourning.  

Just opposite to it, Bangles are also worn because they are really attractive. Young girls simply wear it as a fashion trend and valuing just in its shape n form and not symbolically. Bangles also Indicate the beauty of colours in our life. Deep shining to eyes, they fill vigour and joy in a woman's life and even more embraces her femininity.

                         

Usually made from glass or lac , Bangles of different colour carry different meaning in local traditions. For example, red bangles symbolize energy, blue bangles symbolize wisdom and purple symbolizes independence. Green stands for luck or marriage and yellow is for happiness and so on.

So, bangles are an inevitable part of an Indian woman. Indian women wear and flaunt their bangles with pride. They are just not a part of her  attire, rather with bangles a woman carry her tradition, grace and elegance.

-Ankita