Difference between Arabic mehndi and Indian Mehndi

Arabic mehndi , this style tends to be less detailed and complicated. It does not cover your complete hand or feet. Arabic pattern leave more skin showing than Indian patterns. Arabic mehndi consists mostly of floral designs on the palm of the hand and usually are big compared to the Indian mehndi, which comprises of thin designs consisting of paisley, floral and lacy patterns. 

Comparisons: 

•  Indian mehndi designs are intricate, with fill-in designs between the larger pictures. Indian mehndi leaves little skin showing. Indian mehndi also uses motifs like peacocks and human figures.

•   Arabic designs are spaced further apart and do not cover as much skin as the Indian mehndi. Arabic patterns leave more skin showing than Indian patterns. Arabic mehndi consists mostly of floral designs

•  Indian designs consist of many small shapes, while Arabic designs consist of several large shapes with large areas that are completely filled in with henna. Large shapes in Indian mehndi often have patterns inside them rather than a solid color.

Arabic Mehndi

unknown photographer.

 

picture obtained from cool msn

 photographed by arif, a mehndi style

Photographer unknown

 

application of Arabic henna

Indian Mehndi

copy right of Indian Beautiful Mehndi Design

Photographed by nsmukundan 

Photographed by cary wollinsky

R

 

application of indian henna

references:

1.shoop, M. (n.d.). eHow. Retrieved March 2011, from How to Learn Arabic Mehndi: http://www.ehow.com/how_5445792_learn-arabic-mehndi.html

2.Vasudeo, J. (2010, August 13th). why is arabic mehndi so popular? Retrieved March 2011, from ezine articles: http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-Is-Arabic-Mehndi-So-Popular?&id=4821994

 

African type of Henna

(Photographed by Ron Jaffe)

Firstly, a sharp object is pressed and dragged into the skin in a pattern or design, carrying some sort of meaning, leaving behind cuts that become decorative scars when healed. most of the time, the patterns are geometric and they follow the shape of the palm. the african type of henna usually starts with an "x" shape in the middle.

(Photographed by Ron Jaffe)

Women of certain tribes in northern Africa tattoo small dots on their faces after giving birth to a son. some of them henna or tattoo their faces to represent their ethnic identity. Some bear facial tattoos that ward off evil spirits. Some women in Africa tattoo the areas on the face where they are mostly likely to get wrinkles, thinking the design will keep them young. Some of them use henna for healing. Other reasons of using henna are for marriage and initiation to adulthood. 

(Photographed by Ron Jaffe)

(copy right of Catherine Cartwright Jones)

(Photographed by Melinda Cole) 

click on this. there is a link to extra information on African henna.

References:

1.Obrien, J. (2010, April 1st). eHow. Retrieved March 2011, from history of african tattoos: http://www.ehow.com/about_6171703_history-african-tattoos.html

2.Youba. (2009, April 26th). African henna patterns are bold, large geometric designs. . Retrieved March 2011, from http://www.teleref.fr/african-henna-pattern.html

Mehndi Ceremony

Mehendi is an Indian tradition, a pre wedding ceremony. In India, a lot of emphasis is given on customs and rituals. Indian people are  lovers of beauty and elegance. Mehendi ceremony has been prevalent since ages and a wedding without a mehendi ceremony cannot be imagined without it. Furthermore, Mehandi is one of the sixteen adornments of the bride and her beauty is incomplete without it. Mehendi ceremony is organized by the family of the bride and usually takes place in the presence of friends, relatives and family members. Sometimes, the Mehendi ceremony resembles another sangeet ceremony.

 

a bride to be showing off her mehendi  photo- photographed by

Armughan Javaid

during the ceremony, turmeric paste is applied on bride's face, feet and hands. After that, the Mehendi application begins. According to a belief, the darker the color of the Mehendi, the more her husband will love her. As a tradition, the bride is not allowed to do work in her marital house till her Mehendi does not fade away.

video link: sangeet & mehendi night


reference:

1. Brahma, A. (2009, November 26th). The Great Indian Wedding Series - Designer Hands. Retrieved March 2011, from flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/anirbanbrahma/4841176454/in/photostream/#/

2. culturalindia. (n.d.). Retrieved March 2011, from http://www.culturalindia.net/weddings/wedding-rituals/mehndi-ceremony.html

3. Indian Wedding Planner. (n.d.). Retrieved March 2011, from http://www.indiaweddingplanner.com/indian-wedding-ceremonies/pre-wedding/sangeet.html