Many women in India often wear a bindi (dot) on their forehead. Upon pondering the reasoning for their actions, we were finally enlightened with the background of this.
Depending on the individual, and the intended meaning, a bindi can signify a married woman, the religion of the wearer, the societal cast from which the person belongs, and serve as a spiritual aid as well as help to conserve energy. We were bombarded with all of these reasons, but it is very interesting to learn of the different ways and purposes this decorative (and functional) piece is used. Though today, many women don’t know the significance of their bindi, and many also wear plastic ones (purely decorative), the following is why people used to wear them.
Married Women- wear a red bindi to symbolize love, prosperity and strength because the women are the central force in the Indian families and they are the “heart of the families”
Spiritually- The bindi serves as a reminder throughout the day about the purpose of life and to remember that all the things you are doing are dedicated towards the “supreme goal of self-realization”
In Society-
Brahmins (Priests or Academics) wore a tilak of white sandalwood to symbolize purity.
The Khatriyas (Kings, Warriors and Administrators) wore red tilak to signify valor.
The Vaishyas (Businessmen) wore a yellow tilak signifying prosperity.
The Sudra (Service Class) wore black tilak to signify service to the other classes.
For Personal Health- A bindi is worn between your eyebrows, which is believed to be an important nerve center. This helps keep the nerves cool and also is believed to help “keep in/conserve energy.” Most of the powders, like turmeric and saffron, that are applied to this spot were believed to have natural cooling properties. 
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