This is a portrait, on black gallery canvas, of an Indian woman. The red dot on her forehead is usually referred to as a bindi, and is generally now decorative in nature, although originally it was created as a means to worship one's intellect—to ensure one’s thoughts, speech, actions, habits and ultimately our character becomes pure, to help one make noble decisions in life. Red represents honor, love and prosperity. Sometimes it is worn to represent the “third eye” and preserves the symbolic significance that is integrated into Indian mythology in many parts of India. This dot traditionally is formed with a paste made from red turmeric, or kumkuma, although today it can also be a ready-made plastic disk or a jewel that is stuck on.