Mangal Sutra ("prosperous strand") - Married
ladies in southern India wear this symbol to show their marital status.
Because their potential generative force may be manifested
via socially sanctioned procreation, married women are seen to be innately
auspicious.
The mangal sutra is generally described as a simple thread,
sometimes tinted yellow with turmeric, in accounts from many centuries ago; in
modern times, the mangal sutra is often described as an intricate neck lace.
When a woman wears a mangal sutra, it means she has a live
spouse and is therefore a vessel of fortunate attributes.
For these reasons, when a lady is widowed, she must remove
her mangal sutra, as well as any other marital symbols.
You may also want to read more about Hinduism here.
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