All cultures and countries have their own symbolic pieces of jewelry, and in India, none is perhaps as significant as the bangle. Worn by women to display both beauty, sentimentality and status, bangles are an essential component of the Indian wardrobe.

In this blog, we’re going to trace back the origins of the bangle in Indian culture, and take a look at why they remain so important for Indian women to this day. Let’s take a look!

WHY ARE BANGLES IMPORTANT IN INDIAN CULTURE?

Bangles have been an important part of Indian culture for centuries, although the origin of the bangle dates back to the Mohenjo-Daro settlements in 2600 BC. In Indian culture, bangles – specifically gold bangles – can represent everything from status and wealth to romantic love and sentimentality. Gold bangles were even found and excavated from Taxila and other historic sites related to the Mauryan Empire, so nobody can claim that this is a new custom.

In fact, bangles are so important in Indian culture that women can actually be expected to wear them; not only do they represent the woman’s marital status, but they also represent social status.

WHY DO BRIDES WEAR BANGLES IN INDIA?

There are many important jewelry pieces featured in a traditional Indian wedding ceremony – from the Mangalsutra necklace to the Maang Teeka – but bangles play a significant symbolic role. For Indian brides, wearing bangles during her wedding ceremony proves her “auspiciousness” and completeness with her new husband; the bangles also play a spiritual role, and wearing them is said to provide luck, love, and prosperity for the newlywed couple.

Many brides also choose to wear different colored bangles to represent different aspects of their marriage, as we’ll explore below.

WHAT DO DIFFERENT COLORED BANGLES REPRESENT IN INDIA?

Traditional gold and red bangles are the most commonly seen on Indian brides, but a range of other different colors can be worn to represent different aspects of the marriage. Here’s what each color typically symbolizes:

  • Red – signifies love, energy and prosperity
  • White – signifies new beginnings
  • Green – signifies luck and fertility
  • Gold – signifies wealth and prosperity
  • Orange – signifies success Blue – signifies wisdom, divinity and protection from evil spirits

HOW TO PICK A BANGLE

If you’re thinking about buying a bangle for yourself, there are a number of considerations to keep in mind. While bangles are a highly personal choice, some tips and tricks from us can make the buying process easier:

OPT FOR QUALITY

When buying bangles, we’d highly recommend opting for high quality soft metals, such as gold. Not only does a gold bangle honor the Indian tradition of wearing gold jewelry, but it also ensures that your bangle will last for a long time, while also adding that all-important touch of luxe to any outfit. Rather than going for pure gold (or 24k gold) we’d advise opting for 22k gold bangles; 24 karat gold is incredibly malleable and bendable, and therefore not recommended for everyday wear. 22k gold offers the similar visual appearance of real gold, but the 9% alloyed metals render it more durable than 24k gold.

CONSIDER THE SIZE

When buying bangles, make sure to measure the circumference of your wrist and pick bangles accordingly. Bangles should be comfortable and fit snugly around your wrist, without being either too tight or too loose. You should measure the circumference of your knuckles when closed together in order to ensure the right size.

DO YOUR RESEARCH

As we already mentioned above, different colored bangles signify different aspects of marriage and life in Indian culture, so it’s important to do your research beforehand. Consider what you want your bangle to signify, whether it be romantic love, sentimentality, or prosperity, and keep this in mind before settling on a particular color or style.

CONSIDER PRACTICALITY

Before settling on a choice, consider the practical side of things; bear in mind that bangles go around your wrists, meaning that they could end up interfering in your day-to-day activities if you work with your hands, or in a workplace that enforces a strict dress code.

Finally, don’t forget to embrace your own personal style. While bangles do represent culture and tradition, they can also be a great way to express yourself as an individual; pick bangles that reflect your style and personality.