For those who have never seen a Hindu bride as was my case to reach India, it may surprise you to see his arms and feet tattooed with elaborate motifs in a reddish hue that resembles filigree technique.The Mehendi Mehndi or basically is the application of plant extract of Henna (henna) as a temporary tattoo to decorate the skin in India as well as in several Asian countries.
Apparently this custom originated in India in the desert areas of Rajasthan, Punjab and Gujarat. They say that people who lived in the Thar desert overlying their hands and feet with a paste made from henna leaves. They noted that as the color remained in the skin, the body temperature remained low, helping them to cope with the relentless heat. Over time, the ladies began to experiment by drawing a dot in the center with small dots around. This little innovation gave way to the complexity of current designs.
However, women in the Thar were not the only ones who painted their hands. It is believed that henna tattoo originated in the Middle East, possibly in Egypt. There is archaeological evidence of mummies 5,000 years old, whose toenails are covered with henna. For the Egyptians, the Henna was used for medicinal purposes, as a treatment for inflammation and fungal infections, as an astringent to stop diarrhea or cure for snakebites and scorpion. The henna was also part of a funeral ritual to prepare the body on its journey to eternity, where supposedly their application facilitated their journey.
Muslim societies also used medicinally henna. It is believed that its implementation played an important role in the traditional practices of the prophets, such as hair apply it to relieve headaches or body to prevent odors corporales.En several "hadiths" (oral traditions) of Islam, use as a remedy or as henna dye mentioned. The Prophet Muhammad used it to dye his beard and his followers adopted the practice. The Mughals brought the henna to India in the 12th century.
In ancient times, it was the wife of the barber who would apply the henna ladies, as traditionally henna artists were from the breed "Nai", the caste of barbers. The period paintings show women with henna on hands and feet. In Indian culture, has always encouraged among women pay particular attention to their bodies and beauty. In the Kama Sutra clear instructions on how to seduce men achieve are achieved - among other things he was taught how to tattoo their bodies with henna and dye their nails and even teeth! It also mentions that a woman achieves its transition from virgin seductive when adorned with henna before the wedding.
While the word "henna" is derived from the Arabic word for "hinna" plant, most South Asians familarizan more with its synonym, the word "mehndi".
However, these are not the only names for this reddish-brown paste in Kerala is known as "mylanchi". In Konkani it is called "METI". Tamils call "mayilainandi" or "marudhaani" to henna. In fact there are over 60 different names for the henna in 43 languages.
The mehndi is a popular art that is traditionally applied to Hindu brides before wedding ceremony and in some cases replaced the jewelry in low-income families who could not bear the expense of traditional garments, so sometimes the emulated designs bracelets and rings.
The celebration of weddings in India usually last several days, as several previous events or functions are performed. Among them is the Mehndi ceremony Rat which is one of the most important. It's a fun ritual which marks the initiation of women into her new life as a married woman. Guests attending the groom's house, or on the other hand, bride, where they hire professionals who apply tattoos all invited. These tattoos are not as elaborate as those of the bride, or compete with her beauty. In some parts of India, the groom is also painted with henna.
There are other myths about this tattoo. The most popular belief is that the deeper the color, the stronger the link between the bride and her mother. When you have henna on their hands, the bride "do not have to do any housework and be spoiled and pampered," especially in cases where the bride will live in the house of the groom's parents after marriage. Another popular tradition is to "hide" from the designs, the initials of the groom: "If the groom do not get them, should give a prize to the bride and is a sign that the bride will be the most dominant person between the couple"
Mehndi symbology
Like all traditions in India, Mehndi designs represent different meanings, which are generally associated with good luck
For example, the representation of the chessboard (Figure 1) is a very popular design since time immemorial and dates from the 19th century is a metaphor to the "game of luck" that is reflected in marriage
This design (Figure 2) some see it as a scorpion, others call it "hook pot" is sometimes considered a serpentine, also called plant vine and finally some speculate that represents an ancient symbol of reincarnation or life force. The scorpion is a symbol dating back to the late Neolithic and early Bronze Age and was associated with women. It was the symbol of the goddess Inanna. Henna designs of Rajasthan before 1950, often reflect small scorpions fingers. The henna and old love songs use the metaphor of the scorpion in love: "Love is like the sting of a scorpion, leaves you breathless, causes massive inflammation, and affected parties improve when they applied something wet and balsamic ". This symbol in mehndi is also considered a protective amulet to ward off the "evil eye".
The cocoon (Figure 3) is a motif widely used by mehndi designers in India and worldwide. Symbolizes the birth at the end of the drought and the beginning of a rainy season. The metaphor in the bridal mehndi represents: "The beginning of a new love and a new life"
Other designs and their meanings are:
ZigZag: rain and means represents fertility and abundance. (Figure 4)
Waves: they represent running water, which purifies and brings life. It also symbolizes human emotions. (Figure 5)
Foursquare is considered magic for healing and protection from disease.
Peacock: Beauty
Swans: Success
Birds: messengers (between heaven and earth)
Butterflies: transformation
Parrots: messengers of love
Fireflies: Renaissance
Fish: the eyes of a woman
Flowers: joy and happiness
Stems and leaves of plants: longevity, devotion, perseverance, intertwined lives and vitality.
Lizards and Snakes: lighting seekers
Turtle: protection and fertility
Lotus flower: the inner light / the awakening of the human soul. Grace, beauty, creativity, sensuality, femininity and purity.
Sahasrara: Lotus of a thousand petals, unity of the soul with the "divine source".
The Sun, Moon and Stars: long and deep love between lovers.
Paisleys: they represent fertility and good luck
Eye: chases away the evil eye
The Mehndi today
After 90 years with steady immigration to the West Asian and celebrities like Madonna, wearing bold, new designs of mehndi, henna has evolved from its traditional use to something new. Artists began to improve application techniques and also began to incorporate new cultural elements.
An artist living in Europe said that while the use of traditional designs still remain in force, have also been incorporated motifs Arab as showy flowers. and precious brightness to match the bride's dress stones were also added.
Dangers of Black Henna
The henna paste is made of a completely natural substance derived from the plant Lawsonia Intermis. The leaves of the plant are crushed to form a paste. In its natural state, there is nothing in its contents that cause skin irritation. Sometimes is added eucalyptus oil, which could irritate sensitive skin in some cases, however, it is not likely to happen. The application of natural henna turns a burnt orange or reddish brown on the skin.
Some people do not like the natural color because it does not look like a "real" tattoo and requesting application of a darker pasta. The black henna contains an extremely dangerous additive. It is known as Parafenylenediamina or PPD. This is a toxic substance that can cause severe allergies and reactions in some people.
In January 2007, two families sued a distributor of black henna after their children remain scarred after getting tattoos with black henna. The PPD burned and blistered their skin so that the marks were for life. So do not assume that black henna is healthy because tattoos are offered to children.
Some companies sell henna paste in colors like red, green and blue. Although these are not considered dangerous, they are a waste of money. The henna only retains the color while the paste is placed on the skin, once dried and the dough is removed, the ink acquires a brownish orange within minutes which darkens slightly.
Henna art is to create a beautiful and natural temporary tattoo, which is appreciated by the beauty of their designs ... if you want a tattoo that looks "real" ... do yourself a real tattoo!
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