Mehendi or Henna plays an important part in South Asian wedding ceremonies. It is a natural dye obtained from a plant and is used to impart color to hands, feet and sometimes to other body parts in form of henna designs.

The custom of decorating a bride with henna designs is not only to beautify her appearance but is believed to bring good luck to her.

According to the type of occasion there are many henna designs available. Designs for the regular festivals and occasions are less complicated but those for brides can be very intricate and detailed. Like wise the time taken by the henna professional varies.

Styles of henna designs

Pakistani style: this type of henna designing is very exhaustive and therefore very expensive. It is basically done only for the brides only. Sometimes it takes about 2 hours just to complete decorating the hands and the arms.

Arabian style: it is simpler with the emphasis on thicker patterns. Paint brushes are used in this type of styling.

Tribal style: there are neither fine lines nor any fill-ins; still it is simpler than Arabic henna designs. Here patterns are mainly bold.

Indian style:believe it or not but the actual Indian style of henna design is a big henna dot in the centre of the palm and fill –in is done at the finger tips. That’s it!

Points to remember

If the patterns are complex and intricate then one must start from upwards to downwards in order to prevent any smudging.

Application on arms and legs should be done before than anywhere else as these portions of skin require more time in absorbing the dye.

One can use water soluble pencils to draw the framework of the design in order to avoid any confusion later.

Once the henna starts to dry the mixture of lemon juice and cane sugar must be applied on it with cotton. This is believed to bring out darker shade of henna on skin. It is believed that dark shade of henna on skin symbolizes that the woman is blessed with lovable in-laws.