Henna tattoos are now somewhat of a cultural craze in Western society. They originate from a place of religious significance for many Indian cultures. Mehndi is a paste created from the dry leaves of a henna plant, and is thought to bring positive spirits to and good luck.
The Mehndi Ceremony for a bride is organized for her by both sides of her family. The practice is thought to have healing powers. It is intended to help soothe the body of the bride before her wedding day. It is applied to the hands and the feet to calm down the “nerve centers” and remove tension from the body. The henna can be applied by a family member or by a professional henna artist. The patterns are custom made for each bride. They contain various animals, names, gods, and hidden symbols that have significance for the bride and groom.
Henna for Good Luck
Often, the person who applies the henna must have a good marriage themselves. This is a symbol of good luck. If there are any unmarried people at the Mehndi Ceremony, they are also invited to apply henna. This will hopefully ensure they get married soon! The entire process can take anywhere from 6-8hrs to completely paint and dry. For optimal dying, it is recommended to leave on the skin for up to 48hrs.
After the Mendni Ceremony is complete, there is a massive celebration with all the family members. The families will perform dances for the bride, and invite her to dance with them.
