Mehndi

The origin of "mehndi" is from the Sanskrit word "mendhika", which refers to the henna plant that releases a red dye. According to A Dictionary of Urdu, Classical Hindi and English, mehndi also refers to "the marriage feast on the occasion of the bride's hands and feet being stained with henna". A mehndi (or henna) ceremony takes place right before the wedding, and is when the bride's family gathers to apply henna upon the hands and feet. ==Origins==

. The earliest use of henna dye can be traced back to ancient Babylon and Egypt.. However, it likely became prevalent around the 12th century CE, aided by the rise of Islam in the subcontinent. Henna in the Indian Subcontinent existed for thousands of years, however, became more popularized during the Mughal Empire, which lasted from the early 1500s to mid 1800s. The Mughals were a Muslim dynasty which ruled India and heavily influenced the culture, architecture styles, and patterns we see within the subcontinent. ==Process==

The paste is made from the powdered dry leaves of the henna plant, Lawsonia inermis. Mehndi paste is usually applied to the skin using a plastic cone, a paintbrush, or a stick. Fifteen to twenty minutes after application, the mud will dry and begin to crack. The painted area is then wrapped with tissue, plastic, or medical tape to lock in body heat, creating a more intense colour on the skin. Some modern application techniques involve wrapping the painted area to enhance color intensity. Often times, lemon juice, sugar, and essential oils are used with mehndi to help develop the color further and darken it. When first removed, the henna design is pale to dark orange in color and gradually darkens through oxidation over the course of 24 to 72 hours. The final color is reddish brown and can last anywhere from one to three weeks depending on the quality and type of henna paste applied, as well as where it was applied on the body (thicker skin stains darker and longer than thin skin). Likely due to the desire for a "tattoo-black" appearance, some people add the synthetic dye p-phenylenediamine (PPD) to henna to give it a black color. PPD may cause moderate to severe allergic reactions when applied to skin. ==Usage==

Mehndi is a ceremonial art form common in India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. It is beloved tradition during weddings for Sikh, Muslim, and Hindu brides and is deeply rooted in culture and beliefs. The art form symbolizes prosperity and good fortune for a new bride, who applies mehndi on her hands and feet. In Rajasthan, the grooms are given designs that are often as elaborate as those for brides. In Assam, apart from marriage, it is broadly used by unmarried women during Rongali Bihu.. In Indian culture, it is a cultural joke that the darker color of Mehndi signifies deeper love for a husband or the mother-in-law. Among South Asian Muslims, mehndi ceremony is a common tradition for brides as well as other girls at weddings. It is also done for Eid on Chaand Raat. There are professionals as well for this, while other people do this on their own. A mehndi ceremony involves traditional foods being given to the guests who attend, in addition to the actual mehndi art being done on the bride and other individuals. There is usually some form of traditional dancing and music involved too. ==Medicinal uses==

Although rather unexplored, some research suggests that mehndi possesses some medicinal value; more specifically in its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Examples where mehndi can be used to treat certain conditions include dandruff, scabs, and eczema. ==Popular mehndi patterns==

Arabic mehndi designs The Arabic mehndi pattern is drawn on the palm. Generally, it starts from one corner of the wrist and ends at the fingertip on the opposite corner. Vines, lace, and flowers are the main elements of this pattern. Mandala mehndi designs Mandala is a geometric configuration of symbols used in various spiritual traditions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Shinto. Various configurations of Mandala are drawn on the center of the palm in this mehndi pattern. ==See also==