This YouTuber Is Trying To Use Bridal Bindis As A Goth Costume

Bridal Indian Bindis are not a costume.

Bindis are not just culturally - but religiously bridal

Amber Wilburn Photography, Image retrieved from Pinterest / Via blackbookfortheindianbride.com

People usually say, "Unless you're part of [x] group, don't tell people how to share or borrow cultures".

And that some Indian women are not offended by non-Indian women in Bindis.

But here's the thing, a mass of us have a problem with this, and this is why:

Bindis are part of Hindu Bridal "Solah Shingaar"

I created this image, with a screenshot from the pictured Instagram account. The bottom left image is from blackbookfortheindianbride.com and the bottom right image is from Wikipedia.

"This bridal tradition has its roots in ancient times, and when embraced, it dictates the sixteen adornments that complete a Hindu bride’s look on her wedding day. We say sixteen adornments as it is the most literal translation of the word Solah (sixteen) Shringar (adornments)."

Read more about it here: http://blackbookfortheindianbride.com/solah-shringar-the-16-adornments-that-complete-a-hindu-brides-look/

I don't care if you put crystals on your face.

But don't deny the fact that you bought crystals from the dollar store and placed them in the exact formation of a Hindu bride.

I have a problem with that.

There's clearly a pattern being replicated here.

You don't just wake up and decide to put crystals in the exact same place on your face as another culture's religious bridal wear, and try to pull it off like it's cool or original.

Religious wear is not an acceptable halloween costume.

It doesn't matter what you saw/want/wore to Coachella. And your one Indian friend validating your bindi-sporting, doesn't exempt you from offending a large group of women from the country with the 2nd largest population in the world.