Are you looking at mehndi designs or henna designs? What’s the difference, and which designs are best for you? If you’re interested in learning more about mehndi or henna designs, you’re in the right place.
Mehndi designs are traditional pieces of body art that adorn the hands and feet. There is a mehndi design for everyone, from beginners to brides.
Keep reading to learn the history of mehndi, how to pick the best mehndi design, and to get inspiration from design ideas. As you’ll see, there’s no limit to the beauty and creativity of the perfect mehndi design!
Mehndi Designs History
Mehndi (mehandi) comes from various cultures and dates back thousands of years. Also known as henna tattoos, these exquisite designs are one of the earliest forms of body modification. The exact origin is unknown due to the amount of cultural exchange in ancient times.
In ancient Egypt, pharaohs’ fingernails were dyed. In India, royalty’s hands were dyed. Mehndi has been part of the culture in Rajasthan since at least 1476.
Individuals in the ancient Middle Eastern, Indian, and African lands initially used henna as a coolant. In such hot climates, henna’s naturally cooling properties came in handy. People made a paste and covered their hands and feet with it.
Naturally, people discovered that the paste stained their hands and feet temporarily. Lawsone is the red-orange colored dye that bonds with the skin. Over time, dousing the hands and feet with henna paste turned into decorating the hands and feet, and the art was born.
Henna spread so quickly because the ingredient was so accessible. It was cheap or easy to get, so people of all classes could use it. Eventually, the designs became more intricate, and people started associating them with specific events, such as weddings.
Mehndi Designs and Karwa Chauth
If you happen to be in Northern or Western India during October or November of any given year, you might encounter a special festival. Hindu women celebrate the Karwa Chauth festival at this time of year, according to the Hindu lunar calendar. They uphold a fast before the festival to honor their husbands’ well-being.
A few days before festivities begin, women start preparing. They decorate their hands and legs with mehndi and purchase jewelry and other religious items related to the festival. On the day of the festival, the fasting women wear traditional dresses.
Mehndi is an important part of the Karwa Chauth festival. It’s just one of the many body decorations the fasting women adorn themselves in to celebrate the special day. They want to look and feel their best for this momentous occasion.
Mehndi Designs Explained
Generally, mehndi patterns come in one of four main designs. In the Middle East, the designs are floral, similar to Arabic artwork. In North Africa, the designs mimic the hand shape and use floral art.
In India, mehndi designs use complex lines and swirl patterns. In Southern and Southeast Asia, mehndi designs use color blocks and include hints of Middle Eastern and Indian designs. Designs are heavily based on local culture and tradition.
Typically, women draw mehndi designs on other women. This is especially true for weddings. Mehndi designs represent sacred ceremonies, holy religions, divine mysteries, and endless love.
Mehndi inspires hopeless souls and makes women feel gorgeous and honorable. These works of art present an aura of magic and romanticism. Wearing a mehndi design helps you feel the magic of any special occasion.
You can also customize mehndi designs based on your interests and preferences. In modern culture, people mix the four design styles. There are few modern-day rules to this traditional practice.
Today, mehndi artists present their work all over social media. Mehndi artists often produce new designs or spin-offs from classic designs daily. Indeed, there is no shortage of artwork in the mehndi world.
Mehndi vs. Henna
Mehndi and henna are synonyms. Mehndi is the Indian word for henna, and henna is the Arabic word for mehndi. The names generally mean the same thing, but there are some distinguishments.
Some sources refer to henna as the object used to create mehndi designs. Henna, by itself, could refer to the plant, the dye, or the art. Below, you’ll learn about these components.
Henna Plant
The henna plant is a huge bush that can grow up to six meters high. Its long leaves grow in pairs; when the plant matures, it grows thorns for protection. This unique plant is native to Africa, Asia, and Australia.
The scientific name of the henna plant is Lawsonia inermis. In Egypt, it’s referred to as the Egyptian privet. The English word henna comes from the Arabic word hinna.
Henna Dye
The henna dye can color more than just hands and feet. People use henna dye on hair, leather, and fabric. The henna plant is crushed into a paste to create this dye and sold in paste or powder form.
The quality of henna dye depends on the source and type of henna. Henna paste can be made specifically for body art, but be careful because some manufacturers add chemicals that may harm the skin. So, please pay close attention to the ingredients in your henna product when you buy it.
Notably, henna leaves won’t stain your skin unless they’re mashed. That’s why henna leaves must be crushed into a paste. When crushed, the lawsone releases from the henna leaves and can bond with human skin.
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How Do You Know Which Mehndi Design Is Best?
If you’re exploring mehndi designs for the first time, it’s best to look at as many designs as possible. The “best” design is the best one for you. It’s the one that feels right to you and matches your style.
You have a wide range of choices, so picking just one will take a lot of work. However, the beauty of henna is that you don’t have to pick one. Since these are temporary, you can try as many as you like.
Henna tattoos last a couple of weeks. If you find one design you like, you can practice it on paper first, then on your skin. You can also get stencils or have a professional do it for you, which will look the best.
1. Beginner Mehndi Designs
Beginner mehndi designs contain simple lines, swirls, or basic flowers. They may include polka dots or follow the shape of your hand. You can make simple circular or arc-shaped patterns.
Remember, you don’t have to pick a design that covers your entire hand and wrist. You can start small. Take baby steps on your mehndi design journey, and soon you’ll be an expert.
As a mehndi newbie, don’t be intimidated by complex designs. Rather, be inspired by them and pick elements of their designs. Once you learn basic patterns, you can get creative and more complex.
Also, feel free to follow mehndi design videos as you practice on your own. Plenty of mehndi design artists share their work publicly and have step-by-step videos. These are a huge help to beginners!
2. Glove Mehndi Designs
A glove mehndi design is fashion-forward and bold. Once complete, a glove design makes it look like you’re wearing an elegant, lacey glove on your hand. This design goes down your fingers and stops just before your cuticles.
Henna gloves also refer to pre-made cloth gloves with a printed henna design. This is an easy way to add that eloquent henna look without going through the dyeing process, but up close, it’s obvious that your henna design isn’t on your skin. However, it could be a good way to test a design to see if you like it.
3. Simple Mehndi Designs
Simple mehndi designs are great for beginners, and they also look fabulous. Simple mehndi shapes include arcs, triangles, circles, and flowers. Geometric designs are often simple yet stunning.
One simple design is a vine with leaves. You can adorn the leaves with swirls or dots or leave them plain. Flowers and plants are always a safe bet for simple mehndi designs.
Some mandala designs, which you’ll learn more about below, are simple. They use the same patterns and extend outward in a circular fashion. The most beautiful henna designs are a series of repetitious shapes.
4. Make Your Own Mehndi Design
Mehndi can be an extremely personal art. You can let your imagination take your design to the next level. This design idea could be based on something or someone that means the world to you.
When making your own mehndi design, allow yourself to stray from the beaten path. You don’t need to stick to floral or geometric designs. You can think outside the box.
One unique idea is to base your DIY mehndi design on your spirit animal. For instance, base your design on dragonfly or lizard imagery to express the symbolism of those creatures. Your mehndi design can be a tribute to pieces of nature that matter most to you.
5. Dark Mehndi Designs
Use a rich, dark shade of henna dye for these bold designs. Dark mehndi designs add to your mysterious and elegant aura by casting shadows along the curves and ridges of your hands and feet. You can enhance a simple mehndi design by making the outlines of the shape daringly dark.
You can find recipes online for a henna paste that will come out as a dark shade, even black. You could experiment with these homemade recipes or purchase a premade one. Also, applying coconut or almond oil will make your henna darker.
6. Bridal Mehndi Designs
Bridal designs are famous for their intricacy, beauty, and jaw-dropping detail. These romantic designs can be based on floral patterns, leafy patterns, geometric shapes, or anything. Brides look for the most gorgeous, trending mehndi designs to flaunt on their wedding day.
One stunning bridal design has half the design on the right hand and half on the left. The bride can take gorgeous photos of this design, whether holding her hands together or apart. Such a design requires an expert mehndi artist and careful planning.
Another popular bridal choice is based on the lotus flower. Lotus flowers represent love, patience, and serenity, so it’s no wonder brides want them visible on their wedding day. These beautiful flowers look elegant and regal on a bride’s hands.
7. Fun Mehndi Designs
One important lesson in mehndi art is to explore and have fun with your design. You don’t have to go with a classic, trendy look. You can choose something unique and quirky.
Choose from the imagery of flames, waves, tropical fish, fairies, stars, and more. Your only limit is your imagination. You can create designs out of nearly anything.
8. Colorful Mehndi
These days, you can create mehndi designs in almost any color. Choose the one that means something to you and get started. Don’t forget that this is a chance to express your personality and be creative.
There are a few tips for achieving darker color on your mehndi tattoo. Wash your hands and palms thoroughly before applying the dye, and let it dry naturally. Apply eucalyptus oil, and then use Vicks to help keep your skin moist and the mehndi intact.
9. Traditional Mehndi
In Indian tradition, mehndi designs are applied for weddings and festivals, such as the Karwa Chauth. In South Asia, Muslims also traditionally apply mehndi for weddings and festivals. In Sikh festivals, women bear mehndi designs on their hands and feet.
Remember, mehndi’s traditional use was a ceremonial art form. In countries that use mehndi, the designs are traditional. In Rajasthan, even the grooms bear traditional mehndi designs for their weddings.
10. Single-Color Mehndi
As mentioned, you can get a mehndi design in many colors. However, did you know one-color mehndi designs are trending? Most of the time, the color of choice is red or a shade of red.
Single-color mehndi designs are bold and beautiful. They certainly help you stand out from the crowd. The best part about this type of mehndi is you can get a color that matches your aura.
For instance, do you have a red aura? Then a solid red mehndi will complement your aura perfectly. Also, a bold black design is always an aesthetic choice.
11. Feet Mehndi Designs
Until now, you’ve mostly learned about hand mehndi designs. However, feet mehndi designs are popular and deserve a glance. They’re an elegant way to enhance your feet and balance your overall look.
Generally, white or black nail polish complements feet mehndi designs beautifully. You can choose a foot design that enhances your toes and the sides of your feet. Don’t forget to consider what sandals you’ll wear when you flaunt your design.
12. Elegant Mehndi Designs
In a way, every mehndi design has a sense of elegance. However, some are specifically designed to be as elegant as possible. These are some of the most beautiful, classy mehndi designs out there.
Many consider the Indian style to be the most elegant. While the Arabic mehndi style focuses on the palms, the Indian style flows elegantly from the fingers and hands to the wrists. They utilize blank space on the skin in such a way that creates further extravagance.
13. Flowery Mehndi Designs
Floral mehndi designs are some of the most popular. They’re common among brides. There are also excellent floral designs that are perfect for beginners.
Common Flowers for Mehndi:
- Lotus
- Rose
- Peony
- Daisy
- Orchid
- Tulip
- Hydrangea
- Hibiscus
Flower designs represent happiness and joy. They bring an optimistic aura to your hands and feet. They pair well with leaf or vine designs.
14. Trendy Mehndi Designs for Brides
It’s difficult to keep up with the latest trends in mehndi art. The most popular designs change year after year, although traditional mehndi designs are always in style. Among modern brides, Arabic mehndi designs are the most common choice.
In popular Arabic designs, the patterns and images are spaced out so they stand out more on the hands. These designs don’t completely cover the skin like Indian designs tend to. Another trend is adding sparkles or stickers to your Arabic mehndi design.
15. Arabic Mehndi Designs
As mentioned, Arabic mehndi designs are popular and have a unique style. Also, the process is faster since these designs are usually simpler than Indian mehndi. So, why has this design become so popular?
The Arabic style of mehndi is minimalist, which matches fashion trends while allowing the wearer to show off other aspects of her wardrobe. You don’t have to wait for Arabic mehndi designs to dry overnight because they use less ink. Also, Arabic designs are beautifully free-flowing and often feature leafy or flowery imagery.
16. Mehndi Designs for Kids
Mehndi is safe for kids and babies since it’s a natural and temporary substance. There are many adorable designs for babies, toddlers, and young kids that you could consider for the next family photo shoot. Kids enjoy heart, sun, or animal designs and love showing them off to their friends.
It’s best to stick with simple designs when choosing a mehndi design for your child or baby. Leave the elegant, complex designs for when they’re older. You can even paint the letter of your child’s name on their hand if they’re learning letters.
17. Mehndi Designs for Legs
Mehndi designs look breathtaking, wrapped around your legs and extending down to your feet. These designs take a long time, but they’re worth it for the right occasion. Most leg mehndi designs don’t go far above the ankles.
Traditionally, women left most of their legs covered, so most mehndi designs concentrate on the feet. If you wish to extend your foot mehndi, consider a winding vine pattern or elongated geometric shapes. Stretching out the foot design along the ankles and lower calves looks classy and attractive.
18. Mandala Mehndi Designs
Mandala mehndi designs have short, leafy patterns. These patterns join elegant circles drawn on the palms of your hands. Mandala mehndi designs have Arabic origins.
The mandala stretches across the back of your hand and can be intricate. Mehndi artists start this design by drawing the small leaves and then filling them in with tiny designs. You can add outlines to the leaves and tiny flower petals to surround each leaf.
With practice, you can learn to draw mandala mehndi designs very quickly, even in five minutes. It’s about learning a few basic patterns and then repeating them creatively. The mandala flows from inside to outside.
19. White Ink Mehndi Designs
Admittedly, white ink mehndi does not contain the traditional henna plant in its ink. So, it’s not a true mehndi but deserves recognition due to its popularity in recent years. White mehndi designs can be any of the designs from this list, except the artist will use white ink.
The effect is gorgeous on skin tones slightly darker than the ink. The white color gives the design a bright, pure appearance. These white designs look angelic and ornate.
Notably, this type of ink doesn’t last long. It’s not real henna, so the ink will fade after only one to four das. However, you can try it if you want a more subtle yet elegant look.
20. Peacock & Peonies Mehndi Designs
Peacock designs are a popular and traditional mehndi element. When you add peonies to them, it creates a soft look. Moreover, peacocks symbolize wealth and elegance, so you’ll carry these traits for the coming weeks.
In peacock designs, the bird’s head is only a minor part of this art piece. The tail feathers are the real draw. You can have peacock feathers extending around your hand and up your wrists for a beautiful effect.
Conclusion
In short, there is a mehndi design out there for everyone. It’s an art, so you can create any design that pleases you. No wonder this ancient practice has withstood the test of time and remains wildly popular today.
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