In Hindu culture, the mangalsutra is a symbol of marriage and fertility. It is believed to protect the wearer from evil spirits and to bring good luck and prosperity to the family. The black beads of the mangalsutra are said to represent the darkness of ignorance, while the gold pendant represents the light of knowledge. The mangalsutra is also a reminder of the vows that the couple made to each other on their wedding day. A mangalsutra typically consists of a string of black beads, with a gold pendant in the shape of a lotus flower, a bell, or a sacred thread. The beads are typically made of black coral or onyx, and the pendant is typically made of gold or silver.