Black beads on Mangalsutra are a reminder of duties that
both husband and wife should follow. The string black beads symbolically
represent Lord Shiva and it is associated with fertility and origin of
creation. Black represents the stillness before creation. This stillness is
ended with the sound created by Shiva.
In Hindu society as per some communities, the black bead
today suggests – reproduction and nurturing of children.
The black beads ward off evil, which might harm the married
couple. It is worn to keep out all kinds of evil eye.
The black bead Mangalsutra is not worn by all Hindu married
women. It is limited to specific region and communities. Some married women today
wear the black bead Mangalsutra as it simply looks good on them.
Some Hindu communities have only just two prominent black
beads in the Mangalsutra.