Khan as he is known in Muslim countries or Mehendi, as is known in India is named in Latin as Lawsonia inermis. This plant is extensively cultivated and used in the UAE, India and Africa in general for cosmetic purposes because it is considered very auspicious. Henna is also used as a medicinal herb is Unani and Ayurvedic doctors with excellent results.
Henna as temporary body tattoo
The mention of henna use are found as long ago as 1600 BC, as it was found that the custom among the Egyptians that the Pharaoh's arm and hair dyed with henna prior to mummification. In India and many Arab countries can apply henna as a body tattoo on his hands and forearms, and feet on the occasion of weddings and many other auspicious celebrations like birthdays, the celebration of the completion of the seventh month of pregnancy, etc.
Mehendi Design sample
There are many ways to create Mehendi patterns. Some apply it in bulk, creating a large round on hands and feet. In addition, each finger is covered upto the first corner, including the nails with henna. It is mostly seen with the dancers of Indian traditional dances such as Kathak, Oddissi, Kathakali, etc.
During weddings and similar celebrations, Mehendi is applied in intricate designs drawn with a very thin line with Mehendi cones. These drawings are almost always in the form of symbols sometimes through the figurines representing weddings and wedding receptions.
The design is usually applied in the palm. However, at weddings tattooing has been extended to the upper side, and it continues over the forearm. The feet are also decorated in this way. There are beautiful designs drawn on the bride's feet, which extends up to the knees.
Applying Mehendi tattoos and patterns
Mehendi is prepared in a certain way, or take a cup of henna leaves and grind to a paste, add to it the juice of half a lemon, a few drops of eucalyptus oil and a paste of about five cloves. Add to that two tablespoons of coffee. Stir well and put it in butter paper Mehendi cone. Make a very, very small incision at the end of the cone and use it as you would a pencil to draw the hand and leg.
Once applied it should retain the designed sample moistened as long as you can. Use a mixture of sugar and the lemon water to keep it from drying out. In about six hours to dry if they intend to remove caked. The color will continue to darken over night, unless you put water on the decorated parts of the body.
Today, young people are using henna as a body tattoo on other parts of the body - just like a regular tattoo sometimes temporary mixing colors. You would find these tattoos often around the beach, parties and other similar occasions. These tattoos, like those applied to the hands and feet will be visible for about two weeks.
