Toe Rings for the Indian Bride

In Indian wedding custom, women of several communities have it mandatory and as part of their wedding ceremony to wear toe rings preferably on the second toe of the feet. In Hindi, the toe ring is called Bichiya, and is usually put on the bride by her husband on the wedding day. Married women wearing toe rings only stops wearing the toe rings with their husbands’ death.

Toe rings are especially made of silver, and not of gold, as gold is considered to be the metal of the Gods and it is considered improper to wear gold below the waist. In Hindu marriage traditions, married women wear one toe ring each on the second toe of both feet and many wear only one toe ring on just one toe of a single foot. There are other customs where a married woman wears one toe ring on a foot for her husband and another toe ring on the second foot for her brother.

Scientific explanation

It is believed that wearing the toe ring on the second toe of the foot implies that certain nerves are pressed keeping the reproductive system balanced and healthy. It is also believed that the menstrual cycle for the Hindu brides wearing the toe rings will be regular and the chances of conceiving are increased.
Toe rings are designed in a manner that they can be easily worn on the toes. They are usually open hoops, though there may be some which are closed rings. Unmarried women are discouraged from wearing the toe rings.


Can you add anything more to the significance of wearing toe rings?