HISTORY
It is difficult to track the history and origins of mehndi because of centuries of migration and cultural interaction. Even though it is difficult to determine where the traditions began, there is some historical evidence claiming that it originated in ancient India as a ceremonial form of art. The most commonly believed tale is that mehndi was introduced to India by the Mughals. It has been used for at least 5000 years for its cosmetic and healing properties. Documentation proves that the ancient Egyptians stained the fingers and toes of their Pharoahs prior to mummification. Mehndi application methods and designs became more sophisticated as its uses spread. In 17th century India, the barber’s wife usually applied henna on women. Most women from that time, in India, are depicted with their hands and feet adorned with henna, regardless of their social class and marital status.
Besides being the key ingredient in mehndi, henna has also been used to dye the manes and hooves of horses; to color wool, silk, and animal skins; and to color men’s beards. Studies of mummies dating back to 1200 BC show that henna was used on the hair and nails of the pharaohs. When the henna plant’s cooling properties were discovered it became very common for the desert people in India to paint their skin and cool down their body temperatures.
MEHNDI TODAY
The intricate designs that are common today emerged only in the 20th century. Mehndi was used in the U.S. as a hair dye until it became popular back in 1996. Traditional henna uses and applications have been replaced with contemporary designs and especially Arabic mehndi. Even though a few people still prepare their own mehndi, mehndi kits and cones have become very popular. Cones have made the application process faster and easier. Convenient stencils are also widely popular. Mehndi, once sacred, has now become misused and applied all over the body, especially by Westerners. The West sees mehndi as a temporary “tattoo.” However, most of the world has given up traditional designs for the more contemporary Arabic styles, leaving traditional mehndi only for brides. Luckily, there are still few who keep this traditional method alive.
Henna is used for many reasons including: self-expression; celebration of special occasions like weddings, holidays & birthdays; inspiration; reminders; beauty; cosmetic treatments; medicinal uses; blessings & well-being; to be part of an ancient tradition; and an alternative or precursor to a tattoo.
The art of applying henna in hands and feet is known as Mehndi and it is a very old custom and ancient art form of the Asian subcontinent. The propagators were the Mughals. The Mughals taught us all about the history of Mehndi and introduced it to India during 12th century AD. During that period the royal and rich use to decorate themselves with it. The patterns were intricately made by the artists or the beauticians.
Indian weddings are incomplete without the mehndi ceremony. The ritual of mehndi ceremony is followed in every part of the country where the hands of the bride are adorned with the lovely red color of the mehndi. On these festive or wedding occasions mostly traditional Indian designs are made on the hands of the bride.
The origin can be from Egypt because it was one of the art forms in Egypt. Henna has the power of medicine was also used as a cosmetic and for its healing power for ages. The beautiful patterning prevalent in India today has emerged only in the 20th century. India, most of the women from that time in India is depicted with their hands and feet with red stain designs. The art of Mehndi has existed for centuries. No exact place of its origin is identified because of people in different cultures moving through the continents and taking their art forms with them and therefore sharing their art with everyone along the way.
The bushes can be grown in dry and hot conditions. The leaves are processed as a skin conditioner and as a reliever for rashes. The henna used for mehndi comes from a bush which is grown in the Africa and India. Henna is used for hair dye and as a conditioner.
The art of Mehndi is referred to as henna or Mehndi. Some people like permanent tattoos and some are comfortable with temporary forms of body art. When you use henna to decorate your body it cools your body too.
Henna patterns will be beautiful and have four different styles.
1. The Middle Eastern style is mostly made up of floral patterns similar to the Arabic paintings.
2. The North African style follows the shape of the hands and feet using floral patterns.
3. The Indian and Pakistani designs include lines patterns and teardrops.
4. The Indonesian and Southern Asian styles were a mix of Middle Eastern and Indian designs using blocks of color on the very tips of their toes and fingers.
