Do You Know Why Indian Children Wear Eyeliner?

The culture and behavior of people in each country are rooted in traditions and beliefs that have been passed down from their ancestors over centuries—beliefs that often have important reasons behind them, even if we aren’t aware of them. India is one of the countries at the top of the list when it comes to ancient and sometimes unusual cultures. Here are a few interesting aspects of Indian traditions.

The Secret of Baby Eyeliner

If you’ve ever seen Indian babies or young children, you may have noticed the dark eyeliner drawn along their lower eyelids. This is traditionally a special kohl (surma) applied around the eyes to protect the baby from evil spirits and, according to some beliefs, to strengthen their vision.

The Spiciest Tea in the World

Masala chai, which has become a popular item on café menus worldwide in recent years, is a black tea to which Indians add milk and spices. It is considered one of the spiciest teas in the world.

The Largest Plate of Food

Another fascinating feature of Indian culture is the Thali—large metal plates that typically contain six different flavors: salty, sweet, spicy, bitter, sour, and astringent. Indians believe that a complete meal is a balanced combination of these six tastes. In some Indian restaurants, Thalis can hold more than 20 different dishes at once.

No China or Glassware

Instead of using porcelain or glass dishes, Indians traditionally use stainless steel utensils. They believe stainless steel is more practical because it doesn’t chip or break like glass or porcelain, and its appearance remains good for a long time.

Expressive Hand Gestures

You may have noticed that Indians often use a lot of hand gestures while speaking. These movements help them express emotions more vividly. The diversity of these gestures is likely influenced by Indian yoga and rhythmic movements, which emphasize expressive body language.