Golden Threads
8.18.2024 Zoairia Zahiah, DOSA NYC Chapter Founder
Introduction
From the moment a girl is born, she is given gold—whether a bracelet, nose ring, earring, or necklace—regardless of her family’s wealth or its size. Each carat holds sacred significance. As soon as she wears it, she is considered auspicious. On her wedding day, she will be adorned in gold from head to toe. Even in death, she is remembered by the gold that graced her, something that generations can fondly remember her by.
Gold jewelry is taken very seriously in South Asia, there’s no doubt about its importance. It’s deeply ingrained into the culture, much like the detailed carvings that adorn each piece. So much so that South Asia holds roughly about 11% of the world’s gold, with Indian housewives alone possessing over 25,000 tonnes of gold jewelry. India itself has 754 tons of gold reserves. Historically, gold jewelry—chokers, earrings, tikkas, anklets, bangles, waist chains, and nose rings—has symbolized freedom for South Asian women, often in the absence of financial independence. For many, gold is a generational investment, passed down to daughters and grandchildren, ensuring financial security and continuity across generations.
History & Importance
So, what's the big deal with South Asia and gold? Why is it so important? The obsession with gold dates back over 5,000 years to the Indus Valley Civilization, where archaeologists have unearthed gold ornaments in modern-day Harappa and Mohenjo-daro. Gold has always been a part of South Asian culture for centuries, especially for women. It has long symbolized beauty and femininity, deeply rooted in tradition. In Indian mythology, women are seen as expressions of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. As anthropologist Nilika Mehrotra explains, “A married woman is considered auspicious. She represents Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. She bears children for the family, provides food, and takes care of everyone. It’s central to how Indians think.” Gold, therefore, is more than just jewelry—it’s a symbol of a woman’s role and importance in the family and society.
But at what point did gold become the only thing brown women have? Is gold all a woman can be? If India places so much emphasis on the importance of women, why does it seem like gold is the only thing they can truly own? These are questions that brown girls have always asked, and the answers may trace back to when the British colonized India. During this time, Indian women were prohibited from owning property; what was once theirs by right became the property of their husbands and in-laws.
The system has placed such importance on men that they are elevated to the status of gods. But what right does a man have to sit upon that throne? Even questioning this can endanger a woman’s life. A god does not need to prove his worth; he simply bestows gold upon a woman, and she is deemed pure. A woman cannot dare to challenge the tyrant of a man-made god, for such thoughts would poison her mind like venom.
Similarly, in South Asian society, the concept of dowry was originally meant to ensure economic security for daughters through inherited gold gifts. However, during British colonization, since women were stripped of their rights to own land, transferring property to their husbands and making dowries was a mandatory part of the marriage. This practice quickly turned exploitative, leading to abuse, dowry deaths, and domestic violence, as husbands gained control over their wives’ gold. In response, the Indian government enacted the Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961, which has helped reduce, though not completely eliminate, the practice. Despite being illegal, dowry remains a big issue in South Asia. Yet, as society progresses, there is a slow but steady shift away from dowries, allowing a bride’s gold inheritance to once again symbolize financial independence and empowerment.
Then, the concept of “Streedhan,” or “woman’s wealth,” as per Hindu law had emerged as a form of resistance, legally empowering women to have indefinite ownership of their gold jewelry. It was a step toward matriarchal power in a deeply patriarchal society. However, even with this small bit of legal protection, a woman’s right to use her gold as she wishes is also limited. In India, the freedom a woman has over her gold can still depend heavily on how her family sees fit, especially in the conservative North. Thus, even the one form of ownership she has—her gold—can be restricted, raising the question of whether gold is a true symbol of freedom or just another way to control women. As Mehrotra observes, “This kind of limitation, this restriction on her right, I think, suits the patriarchy, so she is not totally free. Her choice is limited by the nature of the structure of which she is a part.” It often feels like everything given to women is just another tool for controlling them, it reflects on the way patriarchal society in South Asia has been structured against women.
India, like many other South Asian countries, has an economy that rests on shaky foundations of broken promises. A significant portion of its investment goes into gold, which economist Jayati Ghosh criticizes, saying, “Gold is a pure leakage out of the system. It's essentially the same as putting your money under a mattress—except it’s gold bars under the mattress. This is a huge waste, especially for a poor economy that needs investment.”
Ultimately, a woman’s gold can provide her with a sense of control and leverage. When a mother faces financial hardship and needs to pay for her child’s hospital or school expenses, she can sell her gold. In a system deliberately designed to undermine women, it feels wrong for a man to directly ask a woman for help. Instead, as Avinav Chaubey, head of marketing for Muthoot Finance, notes, earlier ad campaigns featured husbands encouraging their wives to use their gold wisely, avoiding direct requests for help. This approach aims to prevent a woman from feeling superior, undermining the very security and protection men claim to provide. The man hides behind societal norms while seeking a woman’s gold, subtly revealing the hollow promises of safety and security when she gets married. It’s because if a woman sees that her husband is failing to provide as expected for men to do for their wives, his facade crumbles entirely, leaving him with nothing. He hides behind a mask while subtly asking the woman to turn her back and give her hand out with her jewelry.
Religions & Gold
Across these South Asian religions, gold consistently embodies themes of purity, devotion, and wealth. In Hinduism, gold is revered as a powerful symbol of purity, prosperity, and auspiciousness, it plays an important role in religious rituals and festivals. During important occasions like Diwali, Dhanteras, and Akshaya Tritiya, it is customary to buy and wear new gold jewelry. Additionally, gold is offered to deities during worship, it represents wealth and divine favor. In the Manbhatra, the vanquisher of the demon Tarakasur is born from Shiva's golden seed. The fiery energy of this seed, created by Ganga, was so intense that even fire couldn't contain it, making gold a symbol of untamable power. Only the eventual union of powerful entities could cool this energy and create the golden-skinned warrior, Shanmukha, the six-headed Murugan. This symbolizes the radiance of Shiva, a sage detached from worldly concerns. Lakshmi, daughter of the Asuras from the golden city of Hiranyapura, embodies everything desired and cherished—joy, peace, and wealth. Gold also represents material wealth, as its divine origins ensure its lasting presence in life’s important moments like weddings, rituals, festivals, money, and investments. There is a belief in a cycle of gold, upheld by the tradition of sharing wealth: bestow gold, and it will be bestowed upon you. In Islam, Gold is often seen as a symbol of wealth and extravagance, and in Islam, men are prohibited from wearing it to avoid showing off. Unlike many other traditions where gold is widely used in worship and ceremonies, Islamic law (Sharia) places specific restrictions on its use, particularly for men. The religion teaches that worldly possessions shouldn’t be the main priority and encourages people to focus on charity and selflessness instead. Some Muslims believe that gold can be a distraction, something that affects one’s mental and spiritual well-being. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) discouraged men from wearing gold to prevent vanity and the temptation to flaunt their wealth. For centuries, gold jewelry has been a status symbol, worn by kings to display power, but Islam advises against this. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Gold rings are only for women,” and says that gold should not be used by men to show off their status. This restriction stems from Hadiths (the sayings of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH), where it is stated that gold and silk are permitted for the women of the nation but not for its men, it reflects on the values of modesty and humility before God. Despite this, gold’s significance remains strong in other aspects of Islamic life and culture. Its beauty and durability make it a symbol of purity, wisdom, and eternity, all qualities that Muslims want to be. Gold’s use in Islamic art and architecture, such as the golden dome of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, shows its symbolic value, it represents divine light and guidance. In Islamic calligraphy and manuscript decoration, gold leaf adorns the Quran and other sacred texts, it emphasizes the sanctity of God’s word and enhances the experience for people spiritually. This balanced approach to gold, which values its beauty while adhering to religious guidelines, reflects a broader principle of balance in Islam, it appreciates gifts while maintaining modesty and purity at the same time. Today, gold continues to play an important role in Islamic culture, not only as a form of financial exchange and investment but also as a cherished element in women’s jewelry and decorations, it symbolizes both earthly prosperity and the aspiration toward perfection.
In Buddhism, gold symbolizes the sun or fire and represents enlightenment and inner spiritual awakening. Mixing gold with other elements is seen as inauspicious because it dilutes its natural brilliance, so gold used in Buddhist art is always pure. The color gold has been an essential part of Buddhist mysticism, especially in Tibetan regions where most statues are gilded with pure gold. Some statues, like the five-tonne Golden Buddha of Wat Traimit in Thailand, are entirely made of gold which shows the sacredness of enlightenment. Gold is commonly used to decorate statues and temples, it elevates their spiritual significance. One of the oldest and most well-known symbols in Tibetan Buddhism is the collection of eight auspicious objects known as Astamangala, which are used in traditional ceremonies and special occasions. Three of these symbols are associated with gold: The Gold Fish Pair, which represents overcoming obstacles and achieving fearlessness; The Gold Lotus Flower, symbolizing purity of body, speech, and mind, rising above desire to attain enlightenment; and The Gold Dharma Chakra, or wheel, which is a universal symbol of Buddhism representing Buddha’s Eightfold Path to Enlightenment. The use of gold in these symbols reflects the radiant qualities of the Buddha’s teachings and the spiritual journey toward enlightenment.
Sikhism also holds gold in high esteem, Sikhs view it as a symbol of celebration, reverence, pride, and devotion to God. It plays a prominent role in religious ceremonies as well, especially weddings, where it is gifted to brides as a reflection of familial status. The Golden Temple, a central pilgrimage site for Sikhs, is famously adorned with gold, as it represents the community’s faith and dedication.
In Sikhism, gold holds deep significance, symbolizing celebration, reverence, devotion to God, and pride. It plays a key role in religious ceremonies, especially weddings, where it is gifted to brides as a reflection of family status. There’s a famous story about Sikhism’s 9th Guru, Tegh Bahadur. A devout Sikh and merchant, Baba Makhan Shah, was caught in a violent storm at sea. He vowed to offer 501 gold mohurs (coins) to the Guru if he survived. After surviving, Shah went to Punjab to find the Guru in gratitude. Many men at the time claimed to be guru, so Shah devised a plan to identify the real true Guru who would know exactly about his offering. He gave two gold mohurs to each claimant, and all accepted them except one—Tegh Bahadur—who asked about the remaining 499 mohurs. Shah then announced him as the 9th Guru of the Sikhs. In 1830, Maharaja Ranjit Singh adorned the Golden Temple, a central pilgrimage site for Sikhs, with 162 kg of gold, plating it with 7 to 9 layers. He also donated 11 gold pitchers to the temple. From 1995 to 1999, the temple underwent renovations, with more than 1,600 kg of 24-karat gold meticulously applied by skilled artisans from all over the country, who manually coated it with 24 layers of gold.
Gold holds deep importance across religions that are practiced in South Asia, they symbolize purity, wealth, and spirituality. In Hinduism, it represents prosperity and divine power, and is often used in rituals and festivals. Islam teaches modesty with gold, restricting its use for men while appreciating its beauty in art and culture. Buddhism sees gold as a symbol of enlightenment, using it to show the sacredness of religious statues and symbols. Sikhism views gold as a symbol of devotion and pride, especially in religious ceremonies and the Golden Temple. Despite different practices, gold consistently reflects wealth, purity, and spiritual value across all these traditions. Gold is undeniably significant, and by associating it with Brown women, it affirms their importance as well.
Closing Summary
Gold’s deep-rooted history and importance in South Asian culture is indubitable. Across Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, and Sikhism, gold represents more than just wealth; it symbolizes purity, spirituality, and a woman’s importance in society. From birth to death, gold accompanies South Asian women, it embodies their roles, responsibilities, and freedoms even within a patriarchal framework. Despite the restrictions placed upon brown women, gold remains a powerful symbol of both tradition and resilience. For a woman, safeguarding her jewelry grants her significance and agency, offering her a choice beyond what others might attempt to seize or manipulate with greedy hands for their own personal gain. Though seemingly small, having gold is important for brown women, it provides them with a sense of control and importance. By associating Brown women with gold, we acknowledge their inherent value and the enduring strength they bring to their families and communities.
Resources/References:
1. https://brownhistory.substack.com/p/gold-inheritance-the-quiet-feminism
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cover creds. Simra Zargar, Pinterest