Importance of Gold in Indian Culture

January 24, 2023 by No Comments

For centuries, civilisations have reserved gold as objects of luxury believed to be worthy of only gods and rulers. It is one of the posh metals, and holds immense religious magnitude especially in Indian culture. Gold is taken as a sign of supremacy, beauty, and cream of the crop. Many people think that Indians are fanatics for gold. Although this proclamation cannot be entirely denied, but the truth is that Gold always had a particular connotation in all ages.

Gold holds great sacred meaning in Indian culture, as it is the symbol of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, which is considered highly auspicious. Hindus believe that their goddess was born from the cosmic egg of gold, and hence buying gold will bring them good fortune, and destiny.

Gold is a sign of power, and status. Many individuals in India think that gold symbolises wealth. In Indian weddings, gold brought as dowry by the bride, shows her paternal family status and wealth. It is believed that a bride wearing 24k gold on her wedding will bring luck, and happiness throughout the married life.

Indians are passionate about gold, and people often regard it as extremely holy. They believe that gold brings good luck; hence, many people like to start their businesses or any other new affair by purchasing gold, or decorating the idols of their religious gods with gold ornaments.

There are special days in Hindu calendar, which encourage its followers to buy gold on that specific day such as Dhanteras and Dassera. Hindus believe that it will bring good omen if they will make gold purchases on these propitious days. Besides, the Incas have referred to gold as tears of the Sun, which adds more towards spiritual significance, as sun is the sign of authority.

Gold is also bought on festivals like Onam, Pongal, and Durga Puja. These are the days when ladies get dressed formally, and wear gold ornaments. They like to wear as much gold as they can; therefore, usually they are shining like bright sun. Gold is also considered to be a good gift item, and usually people exchange gifts made of gold on weddings, birthdays, and other religious festivals. India has a huge cloth making industry, which uses gold thread work in making cultural dresses for special occasions, and it is admired not only by Indian women, but in international women community as well.

Gold is an integral part of Indian culture, and is considered exceedingly sacrosanct. Hindus do not wear gold on foot, as it represents ignominy towards their god. Besides, they believe that if they misplace gold, it will bring bad providence to them.

Gold is clearly visible in every part of Indian life. In Indian culture, women, and gold have remained more near to each other, and this tradition is very old and still continuing. It is an emblem of spirituality and command, and many cultural as well as religious myths are based on it. According to many, it brings prosperity, and opulence.