Mehndi - The Art Of Living

What is Mehndi? Mehndi is the art of painting the body in ornate designs with henna. Associated with transformation and transcendence, it is a beautiful and mysterious art form that has been used for centuries to heal, to adorn and to bless. A paste is made from the crushed leaves of the henna plant mixed with other natural ingredients, such as eucalyptus oil, lemon juice, and black tea. The paste is applied to the skin, and when removed several hours later, it leaves beautiful markings that last from 1 to 3 weeks. The longevity of a mehndi design depends on many factors. Keep in mind that each persons skin takes differently to henna, as does the area of the body you choose to adorn. Before applying the paste, the skin must be free and clear of all other oils and dirt. Once The Paste Is On The Skin The Real Work Begins! YOU ARE COMMISSIONING THE ARTIST TO APPLY YOUR HENNA DESIGN, THEN IT IS UP TO YOU. To Get The Best Results From Your Henna Experience YOU MUST TAKE CARE FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS. The paste must be allowed to dry completely (20-30 min). The longer the dried paste remains on the skin the longer the design will last, recommended time 4-6 hours. Remove the paste with a layer of oil, or scratch off with fingers, DO NOT TAKE IT OFF WITH WATER! Avoid water contact for the first 24 hrs after the paste is removed, as the color is still developing at this time. When the paste is first removed it will appear orange, it takes 24-48 hrs for the color to finish darkening to a deep brown. Preserve and Protect your Design by Applying a Layer of 'Mehndi Maintenance Oil' to your Design Frequently, Especially BEFORE and AFTER Water Contact.

Short History of Mehndi

The earliest cosmetic use of henna (lawsonia inermis) was in Egypt, where the people would dye their hair and nails, and a Pharaoh's fingers and toes would be dipped before mummification. Once the henna plant's cooling properties were discovered, painting the skin and dying the hair with henna became a way for the people in desert climates to cool their body temperature. For centuries mehndi has been practiced in Africa, India, Asia, the Middle East, and Central Eurasia for various ceremonies and celebrations. Today mehndi is still practiced in many diverse ways, from eccentric body decoration, to healing ceremonies. Mehndi is a Magical Art

Symbols and Symbolism

Henna dyes the top layer of skin, so as the skin replaces itself and exfoliates away, the designs fade. The areas with thicker layers of skin will last the longest~ The hands and feet can last up to 4 weeks. The arms, ankles, back, and belly can last up to 3 weeks. And the chest, and face will last a week at most. The Two Best Areas of the Body for Mehndi are the Hands and the Feet.

Hands ~ the most popular and long-lasting area of the body. Palm ~ designs invoke images of opening and offering (usually sun, flower, mandala) Back of hand ~ acts as a shield-closing, defending, clenching-symbolizing protection. According to Eastern Indian Palmistry Right hand ~ Male, Projective Left hand ~ Female, Receptive Feet ~ the tops stain deeply & are long-lasting. The feet are recognized as a point of divine contact, considered a holy junction, where Human being and Earth meet.