<P> The red bindi has multiple meanings which are all simultaneously valid: </P> <Ul> <Li> One simple interpretation is that it is a cosmetic mark used to enhance beauty . </Li> <Li> Archaeology has yielded clay female figurines from the Indus Valley with red pigment on the forehead and hair parting . It is unclear wheter this held any religious or cultural significance . </Li> <Li> In Hinduism, the color red represents honor, love, and prosperity, hence it was worn to symbolise these aspects . </Li> <Li> In meditation, this very spot between the eyebrows (Bhrumadhya) is where one focuses his / her sight, to help concentration . Most images of Buddha or Hindu divinities in meditative poses with their eyes nearly closed show the gaze focused between the eyebrows (another spot being the tip of the nose--naasikagra). </Li> <Li> Swami Muktananda writes that "auspicious Kumkum or sandalwood paste is applied (between the eyebrows) out of respect for the inner Guru . It is the Guru's seat . There is a chakra (centre of spiritual energy within the human body) here called Ajna (Aadnyaa) chakra, meaning' Command centre' . Here is received the Guru's command to go higher in Sadhana (spiritual practice) to the' Sahasraar' (seventh and final chakra) which leads to Self - realisation . The flame seen at the eyebrow is called' Guru Jyoti' ." </Li> <Li> The encyclopaedic Dictionary of Yoga reports that this' Ajna Chakra' is also called the' Third eye' . This centre is connected with the sacred syllable' Om' and presiding, is' Parashiva' . On activating this centre, the aspirant overcomes' Ahamkar' (the ego or sense of individuality), the last hoe on the path of spirituality . </Li> </Ul> <Li> One simple interpretation is that it is a cosmetic mark used to enhance beauty . </Li> <Li> Archaeology has yielded clay female figurines from the Indus Valley with red pigment on the forehead and hair parting . It is unclear wheter this held any religious or cultural significance . </Li>

What does the red dot mean in hindu religion