Cotton, silk; embroideryexpand_more
Gift of Richard L. Simmons in memory of Roberta Grodberg Simmonsexpand_more 2005.136.134
The Western world strongly associates beauty with good fortune. This connection is not taken for granted in South Asia. The region's folklore holds a deep-seated fear that beauty and happiness may attract the attention of envious evil spirits. Symbolic defacement serves as a protective charm. A black mark is drawn on a child's forehead; a dark spot is embroidered on a woman's wedding veil.
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