Turmeric Myth

In India, the use of turmeric journeys far afar the kitchen. It is an integral part of every auspicious occasion, tradition and celebration. No festivities or special occasion is complete without the use of this wonder ingredient.There are several turmeric myth about turmeric, specially about how well it’s absorbed by the body.

Its traditional name in Sanskrit is Haridra, representing its special bond with Hari or Lord Vishnu.The turmeric myth is that the  clothes worn by the gods of Hindu mythology were dyed in turmeric. Many substitutes for turmeric occur in Sanskrit; more than 55 synonyms are indicated in Amarakosha as well as Nighantus. Most of the vernacular names for the spice are derived from Sanskrit or Hindustani.

Turmeric, a member of the ginger family, is used as a spice, a dye, and in the traditional medicines of its native India. With its yellow and orange colouring and curative qualities, it also has spiritual and cultural importance in Buddhism, Hinduism and throughout Southeast Asian society.

Customs

In both Hinduism as well as Buddhism, turmeric myth is related to fertility, luck and sun. Therefore, in wedding customs, turmeric may be put on to the bride’s skin as part of cleansing ceremonial before the ceremony. Turmeric’s use is forbidden in a house in mourning.

Hinduism

In Hindu worship ceremonies, turmeric powder is used to symbolize inner purity as well as inner pleasure. Worshipers use turmeric adhesive to smear statues and images of Hindu deities in religious ceremonies. Along with symbolizing fertility and prosperity in the Hindu belief, turmeric too signifies pureness. The yellow as well as orange coloring of turmeric add to its significance in Hindu practice with yellow representing the space between chastity and sensuality, as well as the sacral chakra. Finally, orange signifies the sun, sacrifice and bravery, and the solar plexus chakra.

Buddhism

In Buddhism, yellow represents the Bodhisattva Ratnasambhava, an archetypical Buddha linked to kindness. In Buddhism, turmeric endures to be symbolic of purity. And prosperity and it is used in ceremonies to anoint sacred images. Its most significant use in Buddhism, though, goes back to its qualities as a dye.