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Cosmetics, Costumes and Ornaments in Ancient India

by Remadevi. O. | 2009 | 54,177 words

This page relates ‘Use of Sindura (Vermilion)� of the study on cosmetics, costumes and ornaments of ancient India based on Sanskrit sources. Chapter one deals with cosmetics and methods of enhancing beauty; Chapter two deals with costumes, garments and dresses; Chapter three deals with ornaments for humans and animals. Each chapter deals with their respective materials, types, preparation and trade, as prevalent in ancient Indian society.

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1.20. Use of Իū (Vermilion)

Իū (Vermilion) is a red colour cosmetic in powder form. It is prepared from Cinnabar or red lead. ҾԻū is another variety of Իū, which is a kind of red arsenic found inside the rocks of big mountains. Applying Իū on the parting of hair by women was a sign of their marital status. A woman desirous of the long life of her husband usually wore Իū on the forehead. In Naiṣadhīyacarita[1], we come across the queens attending Damayanti’s marriage, bowing respectfully on the lac dyed feet of ٲⲹԳī and wearing the red lac on their heads. 鲹ٲ, Nāgagarbha, 岵Ჹ, Śṛṅgārabhūṣṇa, Śrīmad, Vasantotsavamaṇḍana are some of the synonyms of Իū, quoted in ٳ󲹲ԱԳٲī-Ծṇṭ[2]. The text refers to the properties of both Իū and ҾԻū. According to the text, Իū is hot in potency and it cures the stale fever.

Footnotes and references:

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[1]:

XV.55

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