Why is mehndi made, what henna patterns are most often depicted on the body? Popular styles of mehendi, their features and patterns.
Henna or mehendi (mehndi) drawings are patterns or images made on the skin using a natural dye. This way of decorating the body originated in ancient Egypt and was the privilege of high society. Today mehndi has acquired the name "biotatu" and is available to everyone.
What do they paint with henna on the body?
In the photo, a drawing with henna or mehendi
Patterns and designs with henna came to Europe from the countries of the East. Arabs, Indians, Africans used images on the body as amulets from evil forces, to bring good luck, wealth and happiness into life.
In India, henna mehendi drawings are applied to the bride's skin. Painting turns into a real ritual, which takes several days. In African countries, patterns are unique for each clan, and they are made by local craftsmen.
In Europe, modern girls and women make biotattoos to give their image femininity and mystery, for spectacular stage performances or photo shoots.
Note! If in the East the patterns are carefully selected according to the sacred meaning, then for Europeans the choice of a pattern is more consistent with the inner feeling, mood and is of a random nature.
Henna patterns on the body can be varied. Europeans prefer to depict animals on the skin, expressing the inner essence of the owner of biotat, openwork patterns without special meaning, flowers and floral ornaments.
But if you want to make a mehendi henna drawing in compliance with oriental sacred meanings, you should familiarize yourself in advance with what popular Asian ornaments mean:
- Allah's tear … This is the name given to the teardrop-shaped plant ornament. The pattern is applied to the hands of brides as a wish for well-being and love. It is a sign of wealth and fertility. The master's drawing is recommended for girls and women who want to find a soul mate and have children.
- OM symbol … Henna drawings in the form of flowers with the word "OM" in the center indicate infinity. This is an ancient Indian symbol that is suitable for people who want to find harmony and tranquility.
- Lotus … One of the most beautiful mehendi patterns. This is a symbol of purity, innocence, a call to God. The drawing is recommended for women who want to find their purpose in life.
- Spirals … An ancient symbol of the influence of divine energy on a person.
- Henna drawings of animals or birds … Depending on a person's belonging to a particular culture, symbols in the form of representatives of the fauna have different meanings. For example, a peacock in India is a sign of immortality, a joyful life. If you decide to put an image of an animal on the body, ask the master what the selected symbolism means.
- Anchovy … The image is an inverted palm. In India, the pattern is applied to the body as a talisman against evil spirits, the evil eye. Hamsa is recommended for women who want to keep the peace in the family.
- Images of gods … If you are interested in Eastern religions, you can put images of the ancient Indian gods (Krishna, Lakshmi, Ganesha and others) on the body. Each of them carries a certain energy and is aimed at achieving the set goal.
- Mandala … Mandala-style henna lettering and henna designs (Arabic geometric patterns that represent a model of the cosmos) help to achieve harmony.
- Inscriptions in Arabic or Sanskrit … These are sacred writings, which are excerpts from prayers, mantras.
- Geometric ornament … Geometric shapes acquire different meanings depending on a person's cultural affiliation. In Morocco, where mehendi is also common, the cross is a symbol of the connection between the earth and space, the square means stability and protection from misfortune. For a European, a circle will be a sign of infinity and prosperity.
Ornaments, geometric shapes, images of animals and birds in the mehendi painting on the body can mix and intertwine with each other. Patterns are selected depending on the mehndi style.
Popular mehendi styles
There are 3 classic styles of henna painting: African (Moroccan), Indian and Arabic (Asian). Modern changes in mehendi have led to the formation of another style - European.
Indian style
This type of mehndi is considered one of the most ancient. The secrets of painting are passed down in families from generation to generation through the female line. Believers in the country believe that any patterns on the human body should carry a semantic load.
Painting mehendi is a prerequisite for the bride's wedding dress. The patterns are drawn by experienced women. During the application of the dye, they tell the girl the secrets of family life. It is believed: the more paintings the bride has, the more she learned the secrets of family happiness.
Traditionally in India they depict floral ornament, the OM sign, figures of sacred animals, birds, and gods on the hands and feet. They begin to make images from a symbolic seed - a symbol of life, from which all living things sprout.
The difference between the Indian pattern is in its complexity and coverage of a large area of the body: up to the elbows (on the hands) or up to the knees (on the legs). The pattern is dense, which is a solid lace. Sometimes the pads of the fingers are painted over with henna.
Arabic (Asian) style
Since it is not customary to depict deities in Muslim countries, the basis of the painting is floral ornament, mehendi flowers, Arabic script (inscriptions). There are no clear rules for drawing a picture. The patterns resemble embroidery or lace.
The main feature of the Arabic mehndi is that the masters try to leave free space between the lines. This is necessary to create contrast between the pattern and the body. Asian lace is rare, unlike solid Indian patterns, it is striking on the body.
In Muslim countries, women make biotat at home, dress up for their husbands. When they go outside, they cover their face and body with clothes. Mehendi is popular as a decoration and for creating a feminine image: tattoos are prohibited in the East, but mehndi is not one of those.
