Henna, also known as “Mehndi” within South Asian culture, has been used for many centuries in not only South Asia, but also the Middle East, Africa, and more. Mehndi comes from a henna plant called Lawsonia inermis. Using the plant’s leaves and water/tea, mehndi is created. Mehndi was originally formed into a paste to keep many individuals cool during hot days and is now used for a diverse range of things. Particularly in South Asian culture, mehndi is used in bridal wear to bless the bride of a good future with their spouse. The mehndi paste also has many other external usages, such as for hair dye, nail polish, medical remedies etc.
Growing up in a community with not much South Asian representation around me, I often felt a certain type of way about wearing my mehndi. Should I feel excited to show off my mehndi or should I hide it to blend in with my peers? As I matured, I began to realized that mehndi is not just a temporary tattoo, but a representation of my rich culture that makes me feel connected to my roots and proud to be South Asian.
South Asian Cultural Significance
Wedding Use: When it comes to weddings, mehndi is a symbol of good health, wealth and protection. Specifically with the dark pigmented colour in mehndi. Many believe that the darker the bride’s mehndi, the longer and stronger their marriage will be. The ritual of applying mehndi on a bride’s wedding day has been a tradition that has been passed down through many generations of women in the bride’s family. Often, when applying mehndi, the bride would have her sisters, mother and grandmother there with her. In the context of intricate patterns within bridal mehndi, one tradition is hiding the bride’s partner’s name within the mehndi design. When the mehndi is applied, the challenge is to have the bride’s partner try to find their initial or name within the complex and intricate design. As well, depending on the region in South Asia, there are many different mehndi pattern’s used within each culture. For example, within Indian culture, bridal mehndi often have peacocks imbedded in the mehndi bridal patterns, while Pakistani culture shows a strong emphasis of mandalas within the bridal mehndi designs.
Other Uses: Within South Asian culture, mehndi paste is not only used as bridal accessories, but also for medical uses, such as to help keep burns/harsh rashes less irritated with the cooling factors the mehndi paste provides. As well, many individuals within the South Asian community have opted to using mehndi for hair dye, as mehndi does not contain harsh and damaging ingredients, keeping the hair soft and not irritate the scalp. Finally, mehndi can also be used as a natural nail polish.
Western Fusion
As mehndi began its integration within Western culture, it has been used as a temporary tattoo on all parts of the body. Mehndi designs have also blended with traditional mehndi art but done in a minimalist way compared to bridal designs. I have noticed a large use of leaves, lace and floral patterns integrated within popular Western mehndi designs. As well, there has been a trend where pregnant women would get intricate mehndi designs done on their bellies, also known as “belly blessings.” I personally love the blend of Western and South Asian culture!
How To Take Care of Your Mehndi
You have just gotten your beautiful mehndi done! For the mehndi to last a long time and avoid ruining the design, there are a few steps to follow:
- First, when the mehndi is applied onto your skin, try leaving it on for as long as possible, I personally would go for 45 minutes or longer. If your design is highly detailed and intricate, I would suggest leaving it on for even longer.
- Second, after applying the mehndi paste, wash it off with cold water to prevent smudging.
- Third, apply an oil on the mehndi design, I personally recommend almond or coconut oil.