What is Mehndi / Henna?

Description on Mehndi / Henna.

           Mehndi is also known as Henna. It is a type of pasted packed in a cone like plastic tube. It is being used by both men and women. The word Mehndi have been derived from a language known as "Sansikrat". The actual word used for Mehndi in Sansikrat was "Mendhik". Mehndi is mostly used by women and sometime for men also. The pasted of Mehndi from cone tube is drawn on hands in different designs and shapes.

         The most common use of Mehndi or Henna is on hands, arms and feet. Mehndi on hands is more natural and beautiful piece of art to make these parts of body attractive and beautiful. These mehndi designs are mostly common in Asia and Middle East continents. There are different names for mehndi designs in different location according to their areas in the world. In India, these Mehndi designs are known according to their place of origin. Such as the Mehndi design originated in Rajhastan (Province in India) is called Rajhastani Mehndi and same like the Mehndi desing that was originated in Arab subcontinent is called Arabic Mehndi.

           Most common representation of Indian and Pakistani Mehndi traditional designs are like the sun on the palm which is shown on hands and feet.

       Women usually apply all these designs according to events like Shaadi, Eid-ul-Fitar or Eid-ul-Azha. They also apply different mehndi design patterns according to modern trends and traditions.

       Mehndi or Henna designs varies in Indian sub-continent, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lank and Arab continent as per festive occasions like Weddings, religious events and ceremonies.

      In Arab, the Arabic Mehndi Designs are known as the symbol of sensuality, health and good luck since last five thousand years.

You can see different designs of Henna Mehndi on this website captioned as the continental title to differentiate their appearance.

       Since last few generations, women have been using dried henna leaves to make henna past after crashing and grinding and mixing some water in it to produce mehndi paste to cover their hands and feet with simple mehndi designs and geometric pattern designs.

       There is a controversy on the origin of henna use as a dying product. However there is clear evidences of henna application on the body was found on Egyption mummies, whose hairs and nails were found in reddish brown color tone appeared after henna application. Botanists have written that the henna plant "Lawsonia Inermis" was originated in Egypt and it was regularly transferred to India where it is being used for decoration of hands and feet since at least 700 AD.

        Henna can be used for some other medical purposes, such as to dye cloths, leather, hairs and to color the fur of animals and manes of horses.