The Art of Henna Tattoos in India

Hi Friends
I recently came upon quite a few blog posts that I made several years ago when I was trying to start a tour service to India. I will share them one by one. Since no one is going anywhere right now- you may enjoy!


A fairly new fashion trend here in the West is the art of mehndi or henna temporary tattoos. Henna tattoo artists can be found at country fairs as well as fashion boutiques as the ancient Indian art of mehndi is becoming more popular.  Young and old can enjoy henna tattoos as a form of self expression and art. 

Fully decorated with Mehndi designs


Mehndi designs on my hands 
courtesy of a roadside artist in Delhi



In India, the history of mehndi (henna) dates back over 5000 years. The art of mehndi is intricate, beautiful, painstaking and requires a lot of patience and care to execute. It is associated with the joy and celebration of weddings and other important life events. 

Brides may sit for 10 or more hours while henna is applied. Women gather before the wedding and have a celebration centered around the application of mehndi. A popular custom is to hide the initials of the groom within the bride's mehndi design. If the husband is able to find his initials on the wedding night,  the tale goes that he will be the dominant partner, if he cannot find them, his wife will be the one to take the lead!



The henna plant grows in hot, dry climates. The leaves of the henna shrub are dried and ground into powder. In order to use the henna for mehndi designs, it is activated with different substances such as lemon juice and eucalyptus to release the pigment. It is made into a fairly thick paste.

The henna paste is scooped in to a small cone with a pin point sized opening- much like a cake decorating applicator. The elaborate designs are traced onto the skin with the cone. The paste is green colored when it is first applied and darkens as it dries. The application of henna is a very practical art that requires a lot of practice. Getting the right consistency of the paste is very important so that the intricate designs do not run together. Most artists work freehand and there is a fair amount of improvising.  


The designs and symbolism of mehndi artwork are varied and meaningful. Designs have been faithfully passed down from mother to daughter through the generations. Paisleys and repetitive line designs are common fillers but meaningful symbols such as stars, swastikas, lotus and peacock are used to denote good luck, divinity and auspiciousness. Designs start from a bija or seed design and blossom outward and become more intricate. Often when both hands are brought together, the design is made complete.




Allowing the design to dry perfectly is the key to a lasting and beautiful design.  Mehndi designs are typically applied to the palms of the hands as well as the backs of the hands and fingers. Forearms and feet are also decorated.



There can be no itching, sudden movements or carelessness or else the painstaking art work will be smeared. The art of giving and receiving mehndi requires mindfulness and patience! Leaving the paste on for 6 hours or more gives the best result. The warmer the design is kept the darker and more lasting the tattoo will become. A well executed, cured and maintained mehndi tattoo can last up to six weeks.

The application of henna also has a practical benefit. Henna has the property of cooling the body. It has been used to balance the fiery element of pitta in Ayurveda. Henna paste can be applied to the head to ease a headache and it can be applied to burns to cool the area.

If you are a woman traveling in India, I highly recommend enjoying a mehndi session. The roadside artists are typically men and you may select from a book of designs or let them know what you want. It will be a nice memory of your travels in India and something fun to show off when you return home!

Roadside mehndi artists in India

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