Bindi-less

One of the most recognisable items in Hinduism is the bindi - a dot worn on married women's foreheads. The dot symbolises female energy and is believed to protect women and their husbands. In addition, the bindi is a way of accentuating the third eye, the area between the eyebrows where attention is focussed during meditation.

For those of you who know me well, know that my 'bindi' (mole) appeared in my early twenties and grew in shape and darkened in colour. My 'bindi' certainly represented an aspect of Shan - and now it is all in the past tense.

The above photograph is one of the only photographs I could find that shows a glimpse of my 'bindi' (taken nearly two years ago!) - can you see it?! When meeting someone for the first time, it was often a topic of discussion. Some people questioned whether or not it was real and that perhaps I spent countless minutes in the morning drawing it on and exacting it to the middle of my forehead, whilst others commented that I had a piece of dirt on my forehead.

Well, now I am bindi-less ...

Over many hot Australian Summers the bindi had changed and it was time to let go of the Hindu symbolism. Last week the plastic surgeon cut out the bindi and when sewing me back up mentioned that the scar will look just like one of my wrinkle lines!

I guess I'll need to find another form of spiritual protection!