Mehndi On Events
Mehendi designs have traditionally fallen into four different
styles. The Middle Eastern style is mostly made up of floral patterns
similar to the Arabic textiles, paintings and carvings and do not
usually follow a pattern destinctive.Finally, the Indonesian and Southern Asian
styles were a mix of Middle Eastern and Indian designs using blocks of
color on the tips of their toes and fingers. |
All of these styles remain
popular today but are also combined in popularity by Celtic designs and
Chinese symbols. The point once again to have fun with designs and
experiment with them until you have something you feel really
passionate about.
The henna used for Mehendi comes from a shrub called Lawsonia
inermis which is part of the single family and a growing struggle in
Sudan, Egypt, India, the largest part of the North African countries,
the Middle East and other hot and dry places. The bush is also grown in
Florida and California for his ornamental appearance and often grows to
very large, ranging from six to twenty feet in some cases.
The North African style generally
follows the shape of the hands and feet using geometrical floral
patterns. The Indian and Pakistani designs include more than just the
feet and hands and generally further from the Appendices to the
illusion of gloves and stockings, which are composed of lines, paisley
patterns and teardrops.The
lance-shaped leaves of the bush are harvested, dried and ground to the
henna powder. Henna is used for hair dyes, such as a skin conditioner
and as a reliever for skin rash. The art of mehendi is referred to as
henna or mehendi depending on where you are and whatever name you feel
came first. Whatever you call it - the art remains essentially the same
as it was centuries ago. It is beautiful the way it stains the skin!