8 Types Of Mehndi Designs From Different Culture And Origin

Being an Indian, we all know the significance of Mehndi. It is not only considered important and auspicious during wedding ceremonies, but also during many festivals such as Bhai Dhooj, Rakhi, Karwachauth and Diwali. But did you know that apart from the version that we mostly know about, Mehndi is applied in various other styles? There are different types of mehndi designs.

Mehndi as an art form and its historical significance:

People living in Asia and Africa are pretty much aware of what Mehndi is. However, for those who do not know, Mehndi also known as henna, is an ancient form of body art. It basically involves applying intricate patterns to the skin using a thick paste made from the powdered leaves of the henna plant.

It is believed that this art form originated over 5,000 years ago in regions like Egypt, India, and the Middle East. Furthermore, it was initially used for its cooling properties in hot climates. However, with time it evolved into a decorative art form.

Over time, cultures have embraced Mehndi, each adding unique elements to its patterns. From bold intricate designs to floral designs with empty spaces there are various types of mehndi designs one can choose from.

Tips for choosing the right mehndi design

• Consider the occasion: Select a design that goes well with the occasion and the cultural context of the event. For example, detailed Indian patterns are perfect for occasions like weddings. Meanwhile, Arabic designs are best for other celebrations.
• Reflect Your Personal Style: Never go ahead with what everyone is doing. Opt for a design that resonates with your personality in the best manner. Traditional and intricate designs can be a nice option for a classic look or minimalist and geometric for a modern vibe.
• Consider your Skin Tone: Pick a design that complements your skin tone. While all hands are beautiful in their own way, we would suggest that bold lines work well on darker skin, meanwhile, lighter skin can handle more intricate details.
• Prioritize Comfort and Placement: Choose a design that feels comfortable and is appropriately placed. Make sure the design is visible and detailed just the way you want it to be. Floral designs are perfect if you are applying mehndi for the very first time.

Allow us to introduce you to different types of mehndi designs which are popular in the world.

1. Indian Mehndi design

The most popular and widely seen in India among the types of mehndi designs is Indian mehndi which comprises of all things beautifully Indian! From single trails on the back and front of the hands to full coverage of the hands on both sides, the Indian mehndi style always has something unique to offer for every age and every occasion.

While bridal mehndi in Indian mehndi style makes the hands adorned with dholkis, palkis, bride-groom artwork, mandap, kalash, and various other auspicious artwork depicting a marriage ceremony, the non-bridal has a lot to offer too.

Non-bridal designs are more in demand for obvious reasons and comprise of a hoard of styling options from a single ‘bel’/trail to one-sided design, light mehndi artwork, and extremely heavy full hand mehndi. Among the popular types of mehndi designs, the Indian mehndi style encompasses all kinds of artwork like paisleys, florals, chequered, dots, hidden names, and items of traditional significance.

Also read- 25 Simple Mehndi Designs For Your Special Day

2. Pakistani Mehndi design

Bearing an understandable similarity to the Indian Mehndi, Pakistani Mehndi is more about Pakistani traditions and values. While many other things like paisleys and floral artwork remain the same, Pakistani mehndi includes mandalas, domes, more of leaves, and in many cases, doors of mosques. This style has bolder outlines and mostly comprises intricate artwork. Pakistani mehndi designs surely stand out among the various types of mehndi designs.

3. Arabic Mehndi design

Another popular style of mehndi art, it is known for its unique styling with bold lines and empty spaces. This style is believed to have originated from the Gulf countries, hence the name. It is very different from the Indian mehndi and has a certain amount of royalty and elegance attached to it.

Unlike heavy coverage of the Indian mehndi, Arabic mehndi is all about minimal yet bold artwork. The empty space in this types of mehndi designs is of utmost significance and makes the adjacent designs/patterns stand out. Arabic mehndi is now counted among the topmost popular mehndi styles all over the world.

4. Indo-Arabic Mehndi design

This is a perfect amalgamation of the Indian and Arabic styles of mehndi design. Imagine the intricacy and beauty of Indian mehndi patterns separated by bold lines and empty spaces! It’s one of the most beautiful examples of fusion art. This style of mehndi design comprises of all patterns used in the Indian mehndi like leaves, florals, paisleys, chequered, and whatnot, but in the confines of beautifully crafted bold lines, separated from each other in such a way that it looks elegantly eye-catching!

5. Moroccan Mehndi design

Considered popular among both genders, Moroccan Mehndi is known for its unisex designs and is applied by men who are interested in henna tattoos as well. This sort of mehndi style comprises of geometric shapes and curves, traditional tribal patterns, diamond shapes, and prominent dots. It has its own charm and can easily be spotted as being unique and different from the regular Mehndi designs. This is a must mention in the list of different types of mehndi designs.

6. Western/Contemporary Mehndi design

Considered more as a ‘henna tattoo’ than mehndi, the wild west world has also adapted to this trend! This type of mehndi design has got little-to-nothing to do with any kind of tradition and mehndi is applied just for the ‘temporary-tattoo’ feel. In this style, the patterns mainly comprise of geometrical figures, swirls, quirky shapes and modern designs. Mostly, the huge gaps in between designs are given in such a way that the pattern look like hand worn ornaments.

7. Indo-Western Mehndi design

Just like the Indo-Arabic style, Indo-Western has the best of both worlds! Indo-Western mehndi is a fusion of traditional Indian mehndi patterns and off-the-wall designs. The most prominent feature of this style of mehndi art is adding short messages to it apart from quirky designs.

8. African Mehndi design

Yes, you read that right! It is a lesser known fact that mehndi/Henna has been a part of West African culture for almost a thousand years. African mehndi predominantly comprises of tribal designs and patterns, although it bears a lot of similarity with Arabic mehndi in terms of gaps and bold outlines. African mehndi designs are among the distinct types of mehndi designs which are darker in color.

Although there might still be various other places that have seen the mehndi designs modified and evolved as per their region, these are the most popular ones.

Care tips for various types of mehndi designs

For all types of mehndi designs, we have the perfect pre and post-application care tips.

Pre-application care for mehndi designs

1. Cleanse the skin: Make sure to wash the area wherever you are applying the mehndi thoroughly with soap and water. It helps in removing any excess oils, dirt, or lotion. This way the application of mehndi is easier.
2. Exfoliate gently: While exfoliation is optional, it can still be a perfect pre-application care for a beautiful mehndi stain. For this, use a mild exfoliator or scrub to remove dead skin cells. This way the mehndi stain will be more deep and more even.
3. Avoid moisturizers: Make sure to not apply anything before the mehndi application. It is a myth that applying creams, oils, or lotions before the application gives a smooth finish. Rather they create a barrier that reduces the stain’s intensity.
4. Shave or wax in advance: Many people have bodily hair that is often on the backhand as well. So, in such cases, you can remove hair from the area at least 24 hours before applying Mehndi. Make sure to do it before 24 hours as it would prevent any sort of irritation.
5. Stay cool and calm: Make sure the body part where the mehndi is applied is cool and dry. If you are a person who sweats a lot then you must apply it in an AC room so that the mehndi application goes well without any hindrance.

Post-application care for mehndi designs

1. Let the paste dry naturally: Allow the Mehndi paste to dry completely via natural air.  Avoid touching the mehndi till the time it dries which generally takes 2-3 hours.
2. Apply heat and lemon-sugar solution: Gently dab a mixture of lemon juice and sugar onto the dried Mehndi with the help of a cotton ball. Furthermore, you can expose the dried mehndi region to mild heat or a hairdryer to deepen the stain.
3. Avoid water for 24 hours: Keeping a distance from water is a big yes if you wish to have a fully developed darker stain. So, avoid washing it with water for at least 24 hours.
4. Use natural oils: Remove the dry paste with a spoon and after that resort to applying natural oils like coconut or mustard oil to moisturize the skin. It is the best remedy to protect the Mehndi stain.
5. Limit exposure to chemicals: Chemicals are again a big No. Avoid using soap and other chemical items in the Mehndi area so that there is no fading of the stain quickly.

Estimated cost of mehndi design

FAQs

1. Can I make mehndi at home?

Yes, you can make mehndi at home very easily. All you have to do is grind the dried henna leaves into a fine powder and then mix it with water, lemon juice, and essential oils to form a paste. Let it sit and thicken for a few hours. After that, it is perfect for use.

2. Can I shower after applying Mehndi?

As we mentioned above it is a big No to come in contact with water for at least 24 hours after application to allow the stain to deepen and last longer. However, you can use plastic hand gloves to protect your stain.

Needless to mention, mehndi is of great significance in a country like India, although other countries around the world are growing fonder of it too, day by day! Considering the boundless occasions where you can apply mehndi, there are boundless designs and techniques of applying it as well. Whether you choose any one among the diverse types of mehndi designs, whether it is one style of mehndi or mixing it up with another, it adds charm to the entire look and occasion.