Indians marry within their own caste, clan, class, community, and educational group.  Before the wedding the bride is given a bath of ‘gingelly’ oil which is used to calm down nervousness.
     In some families there is a tree-planting ceremony.  The young couple plants a small tree in a little pot to symbolize their new life.  If they have a garden, it is replanted there and it is a good sign if the plant flourishes.  After the tree-planting the couple changes their clothes.  The bride wears a new outfit given to her by the groom and it shows that she is his responsibility.
     The symbols of a South Indian woman’s marriage are a red dot on the forehead and the thali, which is a gold chain that the husband ties around his wife’s neck at the wedding.  North Indian symbols of marriage are bangles on the arm and a red streak on the woman’s hair parting.