Mehndi (mendhi) is the art of painting the skin with henna, which for thousands of years has adorned brides' hands in India, the Middle East and North Africa. Flowers and vines are among its most common motifs, and henna itself is a plant with fragrant blossoms. Here is where the tradition comes from, how Indian, Arabic, Moroccan and modern styles differ, how to apply henna, how long a design lasts and why you should avoid "black henna".
You can delight someone today: flower baskets or flowers in a box.
Henna is a powder made from the dried leaves of the henna shrub (Lawsonia inermis), which grows in hot regions of Africa and Asia. The leaves contain an orange pigment, lawsone, which binds to keratin in the top layer of skin, nails and hair and stains them from orange to reddish-brown. Henna's small white and pinkish flowers are highly fragrant and have long been used to make perfume oil. Henna was already used in ancient Egypt: the hair and nails of some mummies are dyed with it.
In India, Pakistan and Bangladesh a mehndi celebration is held before the wedding, where the bride's hands and feet are covered in intricate designs. Traditionally the groom's name or initials are hidden in the pattern, and he has to find them on the wedding night. A popular belief holds that the darker and longer-lasting the design, the stronger the love. A similar "henna night" exists in Turkey, the Gulf states and North Africa. For Eid and Diwali, hands are painted with henna outside weddings too. Read more about Indian flower culture in Indian flower traditions.
The richest style: fine detail covers the palms, fingers and forearms almost completely. Typical motifs include mandalas, lotuses, peacocks, paisley, lattices and figures of the bride and groom. Bridal designs can take several hours.
Large flowers, leaves and vines running diagonally from the wrist to the fingers. Plenty of open skin is left between the elements, so the design looks light and is quicker to apply than Indian mehndi.
Geometry: diamonds, triangles, lines and dots, often with dyed fingertips. The patterns are more austere and graphic, with fewer floral motifs.
Minimalist designs shaped like a bracelet, a ring or a single flowering vine, popular at festivals and summer celebrations.
Right after removal the design is bright orange; over 24–48 hours it darkens to reddish-brown. Mehndi lasts 1–3 weeks, longest on the palms and soles, where the skin is thicker.
Natural henna is never black and never stains the skin in half an hour. "Black henna" usually contains para-phenylenediamine (PPD), a hair dye that must not be applied to skin. It can cause severe allergic dermatitis, burns, scarring and lifelong allergy to hair dyes and some medicines. Choose artists who use natural henna and do a patch test first.
Mehndi floral patterns echo the ornaments of many cultures, including Ukrainian embroidery; read about its symbols in flowers in vyshyvanka embroidery. For a wedding photo shoot, fresh flowers such as a jasmine bracelet or a garland complement henna beautifully; see DIY flower garland.
Usually 1–3 weeks, depending on placement and care.
The paste was not left on long enough, the skin was oily or the henna was stale. For deep colour you need 4–8 hours.
Natural henna rarely causes allergies, but mixtures with PPD ("black henna") are dangerous. Always check the ingredients.
It is a wish for happiness and love, and the groom's name is often hidden in the design.
Author: Maria Svitlovir
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
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