Henna drawings on the hand

Since ancient times, representatives of various peoples, beliefs and cults have associated symbols and images applied to the body in the form of tattoos and drawings with sources that carry certain magical powers and give its wearer supernatural abilities. These elements of mysticism inspired a person with a sense of security. The most popular way of painting the body is mehendi (mehndi).

Mehendi (mehndi) is the decoration of the body with drawings using henna dyes. It has been used since ancient times by the peoples of India, Asia and Africa as a coloring agent for various purposes and is made from the dry leaves of the non-thorny lavsonia shrub.

This dye is especially often used for dyeing hair and drawing on various parts of the body. Henna is also used in medicine - both for pain in the head and joints, and for healing wounds and purifying the blood. Since ancient times, people believed that applying henna drawings to the body helps to give the body magical powers and maintain health.

This skill originated many thousands of years ago and perfected in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.Body painting traditions were known in Egypt, India, Arab and African cultures. According to the patterns applied to the body, it was possible to determine the estate (caste), belonging to a particular religious cult, and even the character of a person, type of activity.

There are several directions in the mehndi culture. The main ones are:

• Indian, in which ornaments are woven from drawings and patterns, most intricately veiled (compared to other styles of this art).
• Arab the style is the focus of themes using alternating murals and floral patterns.
• Asiatic the style is, as it were, intermediate, combining Indian ornaments and African geometry in its patterns, while using floral themes in different variations. Asian style is considered the most feminine.
• African the style is characterized by the content of clear chopped patterns with floral decorations.

Five thousand years ago in Egypt, representatives of wealthy families applied henna patterns to their faces and bodies. Lovers to paint themselves were both men and women. Paintings already then served both for decoration and for ritual purposes. They decorated the bodies of the pharaohs, sending them to another world, as well as parts of the bodies of the priests, applying certain ornaments according to cult rites. Heroes and criminals were also decorated with sacral drawings, prejudging their further life path.

At first, natural henna powder was used as a dye, which is why the applied murals were only brown and reddish tones. Then wood ash was added to the henna, which added black and gray shades to the palette.

Since ancient times, hands have been considered the most magical place to place mehndi, which especially attracts modern fashionistas who successfully combine mystical components with aesthetic pleasure.

In the modern world, the importance of the cult component of drawings and symbols has begun to increase - largely due to the influence of representatives of pop culture, covering their bodies with henna patterns.

Temporary tattoos have become a very important attribute for women.

The beauty of the murals, the saturation of colors and the mystical meaning embedded in ancient symbols and drawings are very attractive to modern man. Mehndi now combines modern ornaments and drawings with the themes of cult magical paintings of antiquity.

Both solemn and mourning ceremonies in the cultures of India and the East cannot do without mehendi. In India, there is a special attitude towards wedding ornaments. It is believed there: the more complex and intricate the pattern is, the happier family life will be. There is even a tradition when a young wife does not do housework until the wedding painting comes off, so as not to frighten away family well-being.

Many Russian and European brides, having adopted the fashion for mehendi, began to decorate their bodies with wedding patterns. In this case, white coloring is used most intensively, often alternating with black dots and lines. Black shades are achieved by mixing ash into henna.

Natural white henna does not exist in nature, so a mixture of white acrylic hypoallergenic paint and special glue is used for the wedding pattern. Such a solution does not penetrate the top layer of the skin (unlike henna), and the drawing lasts no more than two days, and more often comes off after the wedding night.

It is required to apply such a painting on clean, fat-free skin, after which oils, creams and lotions that can erase the drawing cannot be used. For strengthening and protection, it is desirable to apply hairspray to the surface.

In addition, the marriage ornament itself on the female body should include certain signs, including symbols of fertility, childbearing, and prosperity. A part of such a "war paint" of the bride is intended for contemplation by others, including protection from the evil eye, and the hidden part that adorns intimate places is a gift only to the groom.

The popularity of mehendi art is also due to the fact that temporary henna drawings can be periodically updated (unlike permanent tattoos) - in place of the old paintings, new ones can be applied, corresponding to a certain situation or mood.

Henna painting is quite resistant to environmental influences and stays on the body for up to three weeks. Although the stability of the pattern depends on many factors: skin type, dye chosen, weather conditions, body area.

When drawing on the body with henna, there are no fears that appear when permanent tattoos are applied (introduction of various infections and infections). Henna itself is a natural anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic agent. It softens and restores the skin.

After henna, there are no allergic reactions, but when choosing a dye for body painting, you need to make sure that it does not contain artificial additives.

Before using mehendi, it is advisable to understand that in Indian and Eastern cultures this art is treated with trepidation, believing that not only the paintings themselves have magical powers, but the powers can only be in certain parts of the body.

Places for applying magical symbols and ritual patterns are chosen on areas of the skin with a large number of nerve endings that coincide with the chakras, interpreted in Indian teachings as energy centers of human spirituality. These are the hands and forearms of the hands, feet and shins of the legs.

Drawings that have an intimate or sacred meaning are made on the back of the hands: on the palms and fingers from the side of the folds, as well as on the wrists. These places are hidden from prying eyes, so you can feel comfortable even in strict official situations.

Both a modest pattern or an inscription on the wrist look elegant on the hands, as well as an aristocratic composition consisting of drawings and ornaments, smoothly passing from the fingertips to the shoulder frame. This design of the hand is called a "sleeve".

A fully painted hand does not look defiant, although slightly extravagant. This makes the image of the bearer unforgettable - especially if this composition is located on one hand, right or left. Where to apply - depends only on the compatibility with the outfit and the preferences of the woman. At the same time, it is important that the plot of this ornament consists of images harmoniously interconnected, united in a single theme. Sometimes entire messages are encrypted in such designs.

When applying mehndi on hands, not only beautiful drawings are used, but also signs, paintings that have a sacred meaning.In this case, a whole composition can be created from drawings, symbols and ornaments that harmoniously complement each other and convey certain protective qualities to their owner.

A "sleeve" type composition is when a part of the body is covered with a pattern in whole or in part. A painting of this type can be a combination of patterns and symbols dedicated to one topic. At the same time, only some symbols, smoothly flowing into the general scheme, carry a charge of magical energy.

If you are going to put any symbols or drawings on the body, it is advisable to find out their meaning in different cultures. The most common symbols that carry a hidden meaning are:

• Owl - the image of this nocturnal winged predator is associated with wisdom and power. The owl is represented in many ancient religions as a link between the human and other worlds.
• Feather - an ancient tattoo that has several meanings. A whole feather pointing up - spirituality, love of freedom, creativity and willpower; broken pen - collapsed hopes; a feather hovering over the palms - sadness and parting.
• The Dragon - boldness, power and strength.

• Flowers - in different variations are an emphasis on femininity, sophistication and a rich spiritual world.
• Birds - personify love of freedom, thirst for life, swiftness in action, striving for a dream.
• Cat - since ancient times, such a tattoo was applied to priestesses and the most worthy representatives of the female sex, so this animal was considered sacred (especially in ancient Egypt) and personified the divine essence.
• Crown - power, self-respect, greatness and leadership.

• Butterfly - health, luck, ease.
• Wolf - determination, courage, willpower, determination, self-sacrifice in the name of the family.
• Rose - beauty external and internal, love, passion.

Image "Mandala" is more than just a symbol. It carries a sacred understanding of the very structure of the world. The bearer of such a sign must correspond to the wisdom inherent in it, so as not to look ridiculous in the eyes of others. It must be realized that this is not a drawing, but, as it were, a diagram of the world, described by the sages of Tibet, India and China, which carries the concept of the community of cosmic energy in unity with man. The mandala shows the energy interaction throughout the cosmos.

dream Catcher - keeps in a dream from evil spirits and bad dreams. Initially, it was a talisman of the American Indians and was created in the form of an amulet woven from a willow ring, bird feathers and threads in the form of a woven web. Then this talisman began to be depicted in mehndi and tattoos. It is believed that the owner of such a drawing or amulet is the master of his fate, who is not subject to influence on his consciousness.

Popular with both men and women animal theme. Many animals in different civilizations and cultures are compared to certain characteristic human traits. Usually everyone puts on his body the image of the animal with which he identifies himself.

It should be noted that drawings with animals are most often applied to the forearms and shoulders. Moreover, a certain set of images of animals, birds, insects and reptiles in various variations can have different meanings.

First you need to purchase natural henna for mehendi itself in one of the specialized salons. If this is not possible, then a hair dye sold in every cosmetic store will do.

There are a lot of recipes for preparing the material itself, but mehendi masters still use the oldest of them:

• Strong black tea is brewed and filtered.
• Approximately 100 g of this tea add two tablespoons of sugar and mix thoroughly with the juice of one lemon.
• Henna is added to this mixture, stirring evenly and bringing to a creamy consistency.
• The solution is infused for about 20 minutes.

The very process of drawing henna on the body at home is not very complicated, but it requires preliminary preparation and consists of the following main steps, which can be described step by step.

It consists in the following: before the drawing process, the skin is cleaned of impurities and degreased with alcohol lotion. Hair is removed from the intended area.

First, the dye itself is prepared (according to the above method). Then the prepared solution is placed in a cone with a sharp tip, which is easy to make from thick paper rolled into a tube under the cone. Recently, instead of a cone, medical syringes without a needle or with a shortened needle have often been used.

• A stencil is being prepared for the intended theme, which is either purchased in a store or made independently. Most often, at the first stage of such creativity, stencils are ordered from professional artists.
• The prepared dye must be applied through a stencil - using a cone or a special brush. This should be done in stages, in thin layers, allowing the first layer to dry first. The finished drawing dries for about 9 hours.
• Smeared areas should be immediately wiped with a swab dipped in warm water.Then these areas are drawn again.

It must be remembered that the correct application and removal of the stencil is the key to a clear pattern. In order for the painting to be saturated and not smeared, the following rules must be followed:

• apply a stencil, fixing it tightly on the skin;
• remove the template only after the top layer has dried.

If you need to correct the pattern during the manufacturing process, then remove a fresh layer of dye from the skin first with cotton wool, and then wash the area with warm water and soap. You can use a swab previously moistened with an alcohol solution.

A fresh tattoo can be removed with vinegar. After using vinegar, the skin will have to be washed with water. After using alcohol-containing solutions for flushing, the skin must be moistened with a cream.

If the painting on the body has already dried up, then it will be somewhat more difficult to remove it, since henna-based dyes penetrate deep enough under the skin. In this case, one of the following methods will help:

• Bath with hot water, which must be taken several times, using a washcloth with detergent (or use laundry soap applied to a toothbrush).
• The use of sea salt (especially if the tattoo is applied to the skin of the hands) in the form of salt hot baths. In other cases, it is advisable to use gauze masks moistened with saline. You need to attach a mask to the tattoo and wrap this place with cling film.
• Applying a paste made from a mixture of baking soda and lemon. Mix two tablespoons of soda with the juice of one lemon. Apply this mixture on the drawing and keep for 10-15 minutes. Then wash the area with warm soapy water while using a hand scrub.
• You can also use hydrogen peroxide and warm vegetable oil.

Using any of the above methods to remove the dye from the skin, you need to be aware that the skin after this requires immediate hydration. To do this, use any moisturizer.

For those who are at the base of comprehending the art of mehendi, patience is required for constant training. You should start your journey with interesting ideas, using simple and light sketches.

Indian masters begin to teach their students to draw lines, bumps and various curls, gradually moving on to creating simple drawings and patterns. Simple beautiful inscriptions from curls and weaves, as well as small flowers, will unobtrusively look both on women's wrists and on the forearms, ankles and hands of girls. At the same time, flowers and inscriptions can be combined into small compositions.

For boys and girls, there are options for both simple mehndi tattoos with hearts, inscriptions and flowers, as well as simplified images of movie characters. These sketches are realized through special decals.

Male brutal tattoos are very complex and require the approach of professional craftsmen. However, prefabricated stamps, consisting of individual elements, have now appeared on the market. Using such mehndi designer sets, you can create small but very complex compositions for men - in the form of animals, inscriptions (including hieroglyphs) and various ornaments.

Gradually, from simple sketches, you can create more complex ones, honing your skills and developing your own style. Only in this way can one move from patterns to individuality.

You can believe or not believe in the mystical charms of mehendi symbolic drawings, but the fact that this art, having gone through ups and downs, is today relevant and revered among various ages and strata of society is undeniable. It gives us aesthetic pleasure, like other forms of art.

How to draw mehendi Mandala on the hand - in the next video