Mehandi Design Biography
Source(Google.com.pk)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.
Symbolism in Tantric Philosophy
Point (Bindu)- The Supreme Reality
Seed (Bija)- The mysterious matrix in which everything emanates and merges.
All symbols begin with the seed.
Triangle -
Pointing up (Shiva)- Signifies active male principle. Resting on its base it represents fire, and the ascent to heaven.
Pointing down (Shakti) - Signifies active female principle. Reflects all that is feminine-water, fertile valleys, and grace descending from heaven.
Six Point Star (Satkona)- Signifies union of feminine and masculine principles.
Square (Catuskona)- Stability and order. Implies honesty, dependability, and shelter.
Diamond (Vajra)- Enlightenment.
Pentagram (Pancakona)- The 5 sections symbolize elements of fire, water, earth, air, and heavens.
Circle (Cakra)- Whole, perfect, infinite.
Mandalas- Concentric forms relating to a center point. By concentrating on a mandala the viewer penetrates the many layers of reality and moves towards an inner truth.
Flowers- Joy and happiness.
Lotus Flower- The awakening of the human soul. Grace, beauty, creativity, sensuality, femininity, and purity.
Sahasrara ~thousand-petal lotus~ uniting the soul with the 'Divine Source'
Sun, Moon,and Stars- Deep and lasting love between lovers/partners.
Vines- Devotion and perseverance, invoking both tenderness and vitality.
Birds-
Peacock (Mayura)~ Companion while separated from a loved one.
Swan (Hamsa)~ Success.
Scorpion (Bicchu)- Romance, its sting is analogous to Cupid's arrow.
Water- Human emotion.
Raindrops (Bundakis)~ Love and affection of a woman.
Waves (Lahariya)~ Deep passion and ecstasy.
Symbolism from Morocco
Eye - Said to mirror back the 'Evil Eye'.
Square - Magical, used to heal and protect sick.
Water - Earth's fertility.
Bird - Messenger (between heaven and earth).
Tortoise - Protection, and fertility (from its relationship to water).
popular way to draw henna designs is through henna cones that can be rolled by you. Henna cones are to henna what pens are for ink and are preferred when very delicate bridal mehndi patterns are desired. Be advised that they can be messy and for this reason, many prefer to use toothpicks, trading off some loss of detail.
One does not need art skills to create mehndi patterns. All that’s needed is some imagination and patience. In fact, traditional mehndi patterns are formed by combinations of simple geometric shapes like curves, triangles or hearts.
Begin by choosing a simple shape as your dominant theme, such as a circle. Expand on it from there. The design can be done on the hand or other part of the body. If you are new, it is best to get it right on paper first. Keep in mind that the henna dye dries quickly and forms difficult to remove stains. Once you are happy with the 2012 Mehndi Designs on paper, you can do one of two things. Draw the design and use the sketch as your guide. Or use a sheet of carbon to transfer the mehndi design on to the skin. The first method is preferred because it allows you to get the size right more easily.
Before drawing your first design, it is recommended that you watch a few videos on bridal mehndi design. You will notice the incredible diversity in style from one designer to the next. In time, and with practice, you will discover the mehndi designs that flow naturally through you perhaps even decide to become a professional bridal mehndi design
Mehndi is the application of henna as a temporary form of skin decoration in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh as well as by expatriate communities from those countries. The word mehndi is derived from the Sanskrit word mendhikā.[1] The use of mehndi and turmeric is described in the earliest Vedic ritual books. Haldi(Staining oneself with turmeric paste) as well as mehndi are Vedic customs, intended to be a symbolic representation of the outer and the inner sun. Vedic customs are centered around the idea of "awakening the inner light".
Traditional mehndi designs are of representations of the sun on the palm, which, in this context, is intended to represent the mind.
Mehndi decorations became fashionable in the West in the late 1990s, where they are sometimes called henna tattoos. Henna is typically applied during special occasions like weddings and Muslim Festivals such as Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha . Similarly in Hindu festivals like Karva Chauth, Diwali, Bhaidooj and Teej. In some Hindu festivals, many women have Henna applied to their hands and feet. It is usually drawn on the palms and feet, where the design will be clearest because the skin on these surfaces naturally contains less of the pigment, melanin. Henna was originally used as a form of decoration mainly for brides.
Mehndi is the application of henna as a temporary form of skin decoration in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh as well as by expatriate communities from those countries. The word mehndi is derived from the Sanskrit word mendhikā.[1] The use of mehndi and turmeric is described in the earliest Vedic ritual books. Haldi(Staining oneself with turmeric paste) as well as mehndi are Vedic customs, intended to be a symbolic representation of the outer and the inner sun. Vedic customs are centered around the idea of "awakening the inner light".
Traditional mehndi designs are of representations of the sun on the palm, which, in this context, is intended to represent the mind.
Mehndi decorations became fashionable in the West in the late 1990s, where they are sometimes called henna tattoos. Henna is typically applied during special occasions like weddings and Muslim Festivals such as Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha . Similarly in Hindu festivals like Karva Chauth, Diwali, Bhaidooj and Teej. In some Hindu festivals, many women have Henna applied to their hands and feet. It is usually drawn on the palms and feet, where the design will be clearest because the skin on these surfaces naturally contains less of the pigment, melanin. Henna was originally used as a form of decoration mainly for brides.
Lizard - Soul's search for enlightenment.
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