Interesting Item #1

Every now and then, as I learn about this culture, if I find a particularly useful or interesting link, I'll share it with everyone.  The first one I'd like to share is the Needles and Sins Tattoo Blog.  I could try to describe this blog, but there is such a wealth of content on this site that I wouldn't do it justice.  All I can say is; check it out!

Mehndi - The Beautiful Art of Indian Bridal Skin Decoration

Mehndi or Mehendi (Mehndi used for the purposes of this essay)

Mehndi is a traditional form of body decoration most closely associated with bridal customs in India.  Mehndi is technically the application of a paste made from finely ground leaves of the Henna (Lawsonia inermis) plant.  This art is commonly mis-represented as ‘Henna’, but that name is solely for the plant itself, or the paste derived from it.

Mehndi is an important part of the Indian bridal custom.  Before the wedding itself, the bride’s artwork is part of a ceremony unto itself, primarily for the bride’s family.  On the eve of or several days before the marriage, a function solely for the enjoyment of the bride and her guests is held to apply the Mehndi artwork to the bride’s hands and feet.  In some regions, it is considered ritual for the first motif to be applied by either the future sister-in-law, or the bride’s mother.

Mehndi itself is not just for the adoration of the bride, but also to signify the bride’s transformation.  Showing the bride’s maturation from virgin girl to seductive temptress for her husband.  Traditionally, interwoven into the intricate designs inscribed on the bride are the bride’s and groom’s names.  The wedding night is not allowed to commence until the groom has found both names in the design.  This shows the husband’s visual acuity and active intelligence in an effort to impress the bride.  

As part of the Mehndi celebration, itself organized with the sangeet function, there are festive dances and traditional songs performed.  The bride is usually dressed in light-colored clothing and sparse jewelry.  Common motifs popularly used include the conch shell, flowers, Kalash, peacock, doly and baraat pattern.  Custom dictates that the bride is not to leave the house at the completion of the Mehndi ritual until the wedding itself.  The darkness and deepness of the stains are said to signify the depth of love the bride’s in-laws will have for her.  The Mehndi artwork itself is said to embody the strength and power of love in the relationship, the longer the stains last, the more blessed will be the bride’s future.

Mehndi has really blossomed as part of Indian culture in the 20th century, but history shows references to Mehndi as early as 12th century AD, brought to India by the Mughals.  The henna plant is not only used in India, but is prevalent in skin decoration in Africa and among Native South Americans.  Henna and skin decoration was used ceremonially among the Ancient Egyptians over 5000 years ago.  As part of the mummification ritual, a pharoah’s fingers and toes would be painted with Henna, to ease their acceptance into the afterlife, to please the Gods and to ensure a pleasant trip.

References

http://www.weddingdetails.com/lore/hindu.cfm

http://www.mehendiworld.com/mehendi-history.htm

http://www.henna-tattoos-kits.com/henna-tattoo/history.htm

http://weddings.iloveindia.com/indian-weddings/pre-wedding-functions/mehendi-celebration.html

Picture taken from: http://www.today.colostate.edu/story.aspx?id=3596