History of Mehndi

Mehndi is prepared by the leaves of plant called henna, also known as cypress flower. The Henna word came from the Arabic name for lawsonia inermis which is pronounced as hinna. The exact origin of mehndi is difficult to place but it has been nearly 5000 years old. Some historians think that mughals brought mehndi to India but other thinks that the origin of mehndi is India. Some other thinks that the origin of mehndi is Middle East or North Africa.

The plant of henna which is 4 to 6 feet tall can b found in countries like Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Egypt, Syria, Yemen, Uganda, morocco, Senegal, Tanzania, Kenya, Iran and Palestine. The henna plant grows well in hot climate. The leaves of henna crushed into fine powder and then water is added in it. Other natural component can also be added to increase the color.

Archaeologists have revealed that henna was used on Egypt. Some mummies in Egypt were found with mehndi applied on toes and fingers. There is also mention about henna in Pliny’s letter. He mentions henna plant as the “Cypress of Egypt”.

Mehndi is plays an important role in different events and celebrations. Mostly it’s treated as a female art; men also apply mehndi on their hands. For example in the marriages of Mughal prices, Mehndi is applied on the hands of both bride and groom.

There is some evidence of Mehndi in the folk stories of India. Mehndi is an important event of weddings in. Mehndi consider as having blessings. It’s also applied for luck, joy and beauty. In weddings bride had the most mehndi on their hands with complex structures and patterns. In some country this tradition of bride is very complex just like in Yemen where four or five days are required to complete this bridal tradition process.