Indian Bridal Henna Tattoo

An Indian bride isn’t considered to be dressed and ready for the wedding unless she has Mehendi (Henna tattoos) on her hands and feet. Mehendi is the art of applying henna. Henna is a natural flowering plant. The leaves of this plant are dried and ground to make the henna powder. A paste is made with this powder and usually lemon juice, honey, tea and tea tree oil is used. This paste is then applied using a henna cone or applicator on the hands and feet. Beautiful intricate designs are created.
 
Applying henna designs on the hands and feet of the Indian bride is a ritual and a ceremony in itself called the Mehendi Ceremony. This ceremony is usually held at the bride’s residence on the eve of the wedding. Being a ladies party, close female friends and family of the bride attend the ceremony. It could probably be compared to a hen night in the west.
 
A close relative or professional mehendi artists are hired for the event to adorn the bride with lovely henna designs. Henna tattoos are applied on both the hands, wrists, palms and feet of the bride-to-be. Not only does the bride-to-be apply henna but also the other guests attending the ceremony. The bride-to-be is dressed in light coloured clothes with light jewellery for the occasion. According to custom the bride-to-be must not step out of her house after this ceremony until her wedding.
 
The evening is a festive one with lots of song and dance. While the henna is being applied the ladies sing songs associated with the mehendi ceremony. It is generally a time for enjoyment. The day ends with dinner.
 
The henna applied is kept on for as long as possible, usually for at least eight hours. The longer the henna is kept on the darker the tattoo will be and the longer it will last. Also keeping the tattoos away from water and soap will let them darken. The henna tattoos are brownish red in colour and last for 1 to 4 weeks.
 
There are lots of beliefs associated with the henna tattoos. It is believed that darker the tattoo is the more the bride will be loved by her mother-in-law. It is also considered to be lucky for the married couple. The traditional patterns for the mehendi include the peacock which is the national bird of India, the lotus – the national flower or an elephant with a raised trunk symbolising good luck. Sometimes the names of the bride and groom are hidden in the design and the wedding ceremonies do not start unless the groom can find the names.

In some regions like Rajasthan and Kashmir even the groom has henna tattoos put on his hand. There are specific designs for the men. They are not as elaborate and extensive as those for the bride.