Living in diverse communities in America – Johns Creek and the heart of Atlanta – I have been able to witness a vast amount of both cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation. This discussion has become a big one in recent years as people sometimes don’t realize the difference. To me, and many people of my Indian culture, cultural appreciation is encouraged. I feel great when I’m the only Indian in my yoga class, but cultural appropriation practiced by others, who may view my sacred Om sign or the bindi as just an accessory, isn’t something I feel too highly about.

So, from my observations of people who have tried adopting my culture in an ignorant way, I don’t want to put you down, but rather educate you for what that practice or cultural item may stand for. Because who knows, maybe that “cool looking thing” will actually transform to your interest for its organic meaning.

Indian culture and Hinduism have been one of the oldest ones to exist in the world. We welcome people to come and join our beliefs, but we encourage them to do it for the right reasons. I also want people to keep in mind that my culture is a way of living, not a fashion trend.

1. The Lord Ganesha

That “pretty elephant” is a god that 1.2 billion people worship. Hindus actually begin with one of Lord Ganesha’s prayers before any other gods as we enter a new stage of our life. To us, he is known to be the remover of all obstacles. Putting up a tapestry of Ganesha without knowing his purpose is as good as putting up a picture of Jesus because of merely the way he looks.

Granted, Ganesha is a beautiful figure, but he isn’t just a pretty elephant. Many of you may not have known, but Ganesha gets his head from his father, Lord Shiva, who cut it off through a misunderstanding and sent his men to a forest to find the first head they came across to give back to his son. This story is very dear to me and personally one of my childhood favorites.

2. The Om sign

Om is not just a symbol, it is a spiritual icon and sound. Commonly known as a mantra used in yoga, it is also what we start many of our prayers within the Hindu religion. Personally, Om or Aum, plays an important role in my life because I come from a family that is deeply into yoga as well as chanting these same prayers that begin with the beautiful sound. For those of you that see Om merely as a beautiful text, next time you are stressed, close your eyes, and take a deep breathe in, and exhale creating an "Om," sound. It truly does wonders.

Also, tattooing the Om sign on or around your foot is highly offensive and disrespectful to Hindus, the creator of this symbol. Hindus believe within everything exists God, so by tattooing Om at your feet, you are putting God at your feet.

3. The Bindi

Many of you may not know, but the forehead sticker, known as a bindi, has a traditional and rather deep meaning. The bindi is put between the two eyes to represent a third eye: where your body’s energy resides. Scientifically, it is placed directly in line with the pineal gland. In my family, the elderly women are not allowed to leave the house without the bindi for this reason, along with a symbol of being a married woman. In recent fashion, bindis are being sold as accessories for music festivals or even to celebrities for when they perform. While I appreciate the beauty of my culture being spread, these simple stickers have much more of a traditional meaning that I hope to see spread as well one day.

4.The Rosary “Mala” beads

Rosaries are used in more than just Indian culture. It is a spiritual and religious item, but for this article’s purpose, I will focus on the Indian culture’s perspective of it. These “Jaap Mala” beads are more than just a necklace to wear. It is a string made up of 108 beads that help us keep count of our chants and mantras we recite. This sacred string of rosaries is also one close to me as I use them for my own “Jaap” or chanting.

Hinduism and Indian culture is one open for cultural exchange, and that is merely the reason for this article. To educate and hopefully even spark an interest in something from my culture. This was in no way to insult anyone else’s doings but more to express my own opinions. I hope to have shared something with each one of you that you may have previously not known, and I hope that next time you are exposed to another culture, you can differentiate between appreciation and appropriation.