Mehendi or Mendi - traditional oriental painting with henna. In India, henna bio-tattoos strengthened as early as the twelfth century. At almost any Indian wedding, brides are adorned with traditional mehendi patterns from head to toe.
Indian wedding traditions
Mehendi is traditionally applied to the bride’s skin by older, experienced relatives. As tools, they use metal or wooden sticks, displaying complex patterns on the feet and hands of the newlywed by hand. On the feet, palms, hands and ankles, henna persists for the longest time, since the skin in these areas is dry and thin. In the process of applying these patterns, experienced women usually devote the bride to the secrets of marriage ties. Henna tattoos can last for a long time, in India it is traditionally believed that while the wedding pattern is visible on the skin of the bride (and wife), she is freed from everyday duties and troubles.
Typically, henna tattoos last up to two to three weeks.
Mehendi is primarily designed to preserve love in marriage. Dark, almost black mehendi patterns speak of very strong love. The red color of the tattoo promises power and fertility, made with red henna mehendi usually contain plant ornaments, images of animals and birds - all this connects a woman with the life cycle, with the concept of birth, growth, regeneration, death. It is believed that mehendi serves as protection against evil spirits, misfortunes, illness. That is why Indian women cover their bodies with such tattoos, not only during the wedding.
Complex patterns and ornaments are especially popular in India; images of lotus and peacock flowers bring good luck and love. That is why these patterns are often depicted on the palms and feet of the bride.
Indian girls earnestly believe that mehendi will bring the love and care of her husband. Indian girls believe that the beauty of painting hands and feet should delight their future husband and his relatives. In some regions of India, henna adorn their bodies and grooms.
Mehendi is a good way to appeal to the gods. Very often prayers and requests are encrypted in the painting of hands and feet. Very often, Indian brides put on their hands the image of an elephant, which is a symbol of the Merciful Ganesha - the god who always cared for people.
Henna drawings are considered a good energy protection, because they are applied in the palm of your hand, where all the human energy channels go out.
