Henna, also known as Heena, is a form of body art that has existed since ancient times. Mehndi (or Henna) is the application of henna as a temporary form of skin decoration, in countries like Egypt, Iran, Pakistan, Syria, Morocco, Yemen, and Somaliland. It is typically employed for special occasions, particularly weddings. It is usually drawn on the hands and feet, where the color will be darkest.
Henna is a flowering plant, the sole species in the genus Lawsonia in the family Lythraceae. It is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, southern Asia, and northern Australasia in semi-arid zones. Henna is a tall shrub or small tree, 2–6 m high.
Henna, produces a red-orange dye molecule called lawsone. This molecule has an affinity for bonding with protein, and thus has been used to dye skin, hair, fingernails, leather, silk and wool. It is usually drawn on the hands and feet, where the color will be darkest because the skin contains higher levels of keratin which binds permanently to lawsone, the colorant of henna. 
Henna has been used to adorn young women’s bodies as part of social and holiday celebrations since the late Bronze Age in the eastern Mediterranean. Henna was regarded as having “Barakah”, blessings, and was applied for luck as well as joy and beauty. Brides typically had the most henna, and the most complex patterns, to support their greatest joy, and wishes for luck. Some bridal traditions were very complex, such as those in Yemen, where the Jewish bridal henna process took four or five days to complete, with multiple applications and resist work.
Henna painting has become very popular as a form of temporary tattoo and is liked by a lot. The best aspect of henna is that it is totally natural, made from a plant plant whose leaves are first dried and then crushed to make a fine powder. While applying, the powder is mixed with water. This makes henna totally safe to use. Along with that, its application is totally painless and the effect is temporary. You can use henna to get tattoos, without worrying about pain or infection. In case you are not satisfied with a particular tattoo, just wait for a few days. Its color will soon wash off and you can easily go for another design. 
Though there are no set patterns or designs for Henna, there are some popular designs that have been followed since ages. One of the most popular designs is a paisley that is often filled with a checkerboard pattern. Another popular pattern is a lovely peacock, with the sharp and curved beak and the corona on the head. Floral patterns are quite popular as well. 
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Mehndi (Henna) Art
by: Sugar&Spice | last updated: February 24, 2009
Category: Fashion & Trends | Tags: Henna, Mehndi, henna tattoos, heena, mehndi art, mehendi
Category: Fashion & Trends | Tags: Henna, Mehndi, henna tattoos, heena, mehndi art, mehendi
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Guide Comments
Avocados said about 1 year ago:
Love it, love it, absolutely love it!!!
henna caravan conference said about 1 year ago:
Henna Caravan loves henna too.
heena shaikh said about 1 year ago:
pls sent me latest mahendi art design
iqra said about 1 year ago:
like the design but do put other designs and do put hand designs
sonu.c.n said about 1 year ago:
please sent me some mehendi designs.
Rea khan said about 1 year ago:
its fantastics, do send me some desings.
sophie khan said about 1 year ago:
WOW nice henna pattern always coming up show me some more great so far
Charitra Suvarna said about 1 year ago:
Nice mehndi designs. Would like to know more mehndi designs and update myself with the latest designs too.
chimmu said about 1 year ago:
beautiful designs featured
barnali sarkar said about 1 year ago:
please sent me some most beautiful indian easy designs of mehendi.
ragni mehra said about 1 year ago:
nice mehendi designs. i want to learn more mehendi designs. please send some latest beautiful indian designs.
lolipop said about 1 year ago:
can you plz send me some mehndi picture's everytime you get new one's
Sandhya said about 1 year ago:
Cool designs.Send me designs specially for wedding
Sabrina said 11 months ago:
Please sent me all mehndi design
blahhh said 11 months ago:
I like it! waht am I saying! I LOVE it! So yeah , send me.
vanitha said 11 months ago:
please sent me some most beautiful indian easy designs of mehendi.
ayesha qureshi said 10 months ago:
pls send me some indian and arabic designs and also for legs
Fahmeeda said 10 months ago:
I am very eager to learn mehendi designing so please some beautiful indian and arabic designs.
nethra said 9 months ago:
pls send me some beautiful mehendi designs
kajal said 8 months ago:
please send me some pictures of henna. THANKS IN ADVANCE
Shruthi said 7 months ago:
It is really nice. I really liked it, so pl send me some designs....
pooja.donda said 7 months ago:
please send me some pictures of heena for marriage
dipali patel said 6 months ago:
please send me pictures of heena
Neha said 6 months ago:
These mehandi designs are really very nice. Plz ssen me some pictures for my wedding..
Kusum said 6 months ago:
To learn mehandi designing step by step see sewingmehandi.com Buy CD's for so many products.
deepika said 5 months ago:
simple and nice mehandi designs.. please send it to my ID..
Kavi said 5 months ago:
Wow awasome.can u send some designs to my ID
Hina said 5 months ago:
http://mehndicollection.co.cc brings you the latest mehndi designs in our gallery. Browse through our mehndi pictures and find the perfect bridal, arabic, pakistani, glittered mehndi design for your wedding and learn how to put mehndi on your hands.
pratima said 4 months ago:
It's really one of the beautiful mehendi design i have seen. Really beautiful, plz send me some more cause i will get married soon. plz.
Priya said 4 months ago:
please send some design to my id
manjula said 4 months ago:
your designs are tooo good. Plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzz zzzzzzz zzzzz zzz z send some of your designs to my mail id. plzzzzzzzzzzzzzz yaar don't forget.
lavanya said 3 months ago:
hi ur designs r toooo good, plz send me more, n plz send me in detail how to make a henna cone
Sunshinemom said 3 months ago:
I love the design on the leg (second last). I think I will try it out my daughter's leg. We are going to the big fat Indian Wedding:D! No better excuse to wear that one!
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