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Men’s wedding jewellery

Although Indian women wear a lot of jewellery and body decoration for their wedding, Indian men wear little. Hindu grooms usually wear a gold chain and a ring, and sometimes a single plain gold bangle on their right wrist.

All Sikh men wear a kada, a bangle made of steel or iron. This is one of the five symbols of Sikh brotherhood, and is worn by Sikh men whether or not they are married.

On the day of the wedding ceremony, Hindu and Muslim grooms often wear a turban with a jewel attached to the front. This evokes the idea of the groom being a prince for the day. Sikh grooms always wear a turban, usually pink.

Some Indian grooms arrive at their wedding on a white horse. The horse may be ornamented with silver trappings and jewellery such as a tika (forehead ornament), necklaces, harness ornaments, and leg bracelets. In New Zealand, most Indian grooms arrive in a white car.

Sometimes the groom carries a sword, which symbolises his protection of the bride during marriage. A Sikh man will always carry a kirpan (small dagger). This is one of the five symbols of the Sikh brotherhood, and is seen as a sign of strength.

Glossary

kada
a steel or iron bangle worn by Sikh men

kirpan
a small dagger, and one of the five symbols of the Sikh brotherhood

tika
an ornament worn on the forehead