Semiotic Study of Sindoor

Abstract

This social commentary aims to examine a semiotic study of Sindoor or Vermilion (a red colour powder) which is applied between hair partings by married Hindu Indian women. Sindoor is applied by the groom to the bride on the day of the marriage. By applying Sindoor, she is then considered to be his wife and enters the matrimonial life. The social commentary intends to shed light on the feminist and sociological aspect of Sindoor in Indian society and how it is celebrated by Hindu married women, yet it place the women lower in the social gender hierarchy as they are often socially expected to wear such symbols to mark a new beginning. On the other hand, married Hindu men wear no such markings to show their married status.