Jewellery as a Marker of Status and Femininity in the Vedic Age

Jewellery occupied a significant position in Vedic society, functioning not merely as an element of adornment but also as an important marker of social identity, femininity, wealth, and ritual status. This paper examines the role of jewelry in women's lives during the Vedic age by analyzing Vedic literature, including the Rigveda, Atharvaveda, Brahmanas, and later Vedic texts. The study explores how ornaments symbolized marital status, prosperity, prestige, and cultural ideals associated with womanhood. The paper further investigates the relationship between jewellery and social hierarchy, highlighting how precious ornaments reflected class distinctions and economic standing within Vedic society. Special emphasis is also placed on the symbolic and ritualistic dimensions of the jewellery, particularly in ceremonies, religious practices, and concepts of female auspiciousness. By interpreting references to ornaments such as necklaces, bangles, earrings, anklets, and gold adornments, the study seeks to understand the broader cultural meanings associated with female ornamentation. In addition to the above-listed aspects, the paper analyzes jewellery as a form of movable wealth and an indicator of women’s economic agency within the patriarchal structure of Vedic society. Through a historical and textual approach, this research contributes to the understanding of gendered material culture in ancient India. It demonstrates how jewellery served as both a personal ornament and a social institution, shaping feminine identity and status in the Vedic age.