Visual markers of marital status

Visual markers of marital status may include clothing, hairstyle, accessories, jewelry, tattoos, and other bodily adornments. The term comes from Sociology, where Visual Markers is taken to mean all perceivable signs or indicators, not just those visible to the eye. In Anthropology the term Cultural artefact has a similar meaning particular to symbolic objects; Wedding rings for example, are cultural artefacts. Visible Markers of Marital Status that are not "visible", such as expectations of behavior, are possible as well. Visible Markers might also include culturally exclusive privileges, roles, and responsibilities. For example, in the past, Morris Dancing was historically performed by married men. Marital status markers are often gender-specific. The Markers of Marital Status should be traditions which are perceivably unique, but this too isn't a necessity. For example, the bindi of South Asian origin is traditionally a symbol of married women; there is another symbol, the tilaka, which is gender neutral, and has less direct association with marital status. As culture evolves and changes, it is not unheard even for bindis to be utilized by women of all ages and marital status.

Visual markers of marital status are important to distinguish from other traditional symbols found at weddings, like the aforementioned tilaka, because they indicate information of cultural significance about the bearer; information that is often implicitly understood by the community at large. In many cultures, married people enjoy special privileges or are addressed differently by members of the community. Therefore, many symbols of martial status impart culturally specific social status.

Human mating strategies can be socially risky for the participants. The actor and the subject are both at risk of embarrassment or cultural judgements. For the actor, rejection can be emotionally painful. For married individuals dealing with extramarital advances, there is the potential harm to a marriage itself, typically from a loss of trust capital within the family, or from the wider community. This applies to both the subjects of unwanted attention in the passive role, and to would-be adulterers in the active or passive roles. By communicating marital status visibly, married individuals can prevent awkward, unwanted advances; or failing that, demonstrate evidence of unwillingness post hoc. Where matchmaking is culturally prevalent, the social status of a matchmaker is also tied into the equation, and they too depend on understanding the cultural forms of marital status communication.

Visual markers of marital status also have a role in social bonding. They can also increase the bearer's sense of belongingness and cultural inclusion. Visible markers of Marital Status are often symbolic of cooperation and reciprocity. Ultimately, these symbols have an impact on a person's place in society in many different ways.