Mehndi is a form of skin decoration primarily done on women, but also on men during special occasions such as weddings and festivals on a person’s palms and feet. Mehndi comes from the leaves of the henna plant. The leaves are crushed into a powder with eucalyptus and other ingredients to form a paste. It symbolizes happiness and prosperity. A mehndi cone is used for application of the paste.

Are there different types of mehndi?

• Bridal Mehndi – traditionally it is done on brides from the tips of their fingers all the way up their arms stooping before the shoulders, and from the tips of their toes to their knees. Professional mehndi artists normally place the groom’s name and face in the hands of the bride. On the first night of the marriage, the new groom has to find his name and face in her hands. Images of musical instruments are normally the subjects of the designs in bridal mehndi.
• Jardosi Mehndi – In this form of mehndi sparkles are placed in the paste so that it dazzles and normaly happens during Navratri (a season of dancing and colorful clothes and chenyacholee).
• Kalamgari – the subjects of this mehndi design contains plants, flowers, leaves and branches.
• Black Mehndi – Also contains plants, flowers, leaves and branches as elements, but a black dye is used, versus the others which are natural.

There are different themes and applications of mehndi. Arabic Mehndi designs are normally designs of flowers and goes from the fingers to half of the arm. Traditional Mehndi is much more intricate and goes all the way up the arms.