Mehendi - what is it. Henna drawings on the body for beginners. Sketches, tattoo patterns

Mehendi - what is it?

Mehendi is a drawing on the body that is applied with henna. This type of decoration of the human body originated in ancient Egypt. It was used only by strata of high society.

In our time, mehendi has received the name - biotatu. This is a great alternative for those who hesitate to get a regular tattoo. After all, the drawing on the body, made with henna, is temporary and passes after the renewal of the skin layer. The procedure can be carried out in the salon, by a master, or independently at home.

What are mehendi drawings for?

In modern European society, mehendi is more used as a decoration, a way of self-expression and giving mystery and sexuality to your image.

In Muslim countries, Africa and India, the art of painting with henna on the body, like many centuries ago, has a special magical meaning. Residents of these countries use mehendi drawings not only for beauty, but also to attract wealth, good luck, and also as protection from all evil spirits.

In India, it is customary to paint mehendi on the body and hands of the bride before the wedding celebration. This is done by experienced, married women, who, while drawing, devote the newlywed to the intimate secrets of their future married life. The ceremony can last for several hours or even several days. It is believed that the more patterns on the bride's body, the more she learns secrets.

In addition, the newly-made wife is relieved of all household duties until the last drawing leaves her body. This ritual is also performed in many Muslim countries.

Mehendi drawings for oriental women are a symbol of beauty and femininityintended for her husband. Asian women use mehendi not only for aesthetic purposes, but also as a means of preserving youth and blooming appearance. This is due to the healing nature of henna, which has a beneficial effect on the skin.

Interesting to know! In ancient Egypt, mehendi drawings were painted on the bodies of deceased pharaohs at the time of their mummification. This was done in order to please the gods in the afterlife.

Henna drawings on the hand: photo, light sketches

Henna for mehendi - how to choose

The main component of mehendi drawings is henna... The durability and brightness of the image depends on its quality. When choosing, one should take into account its origin and composition. Henna for mehendi is of 2 types:

1. Natural henna - a natural dye that is obtained from the leaves of the cinchona tree. Natural henna color is brown. On sale you can find henna in powder or paste form. The most commonly used ready-made paste, which is sold in a special cone. When buying such henna, first of all, you need to pay attention to the date of its manufacture. Henna gives the brightest color for the first 3 months. The shape of the cone, which should not be deflated, will also tell about the freshness of the dye.It is important to ensure that the cone is well sealed and free of holes. The structure of the paste should be fluid and soft.
2. Colored henna is made using chemical additives. This henna is sold in jars or tubes. By adding artificial dyes to henna, you can get any color. Mehendi made with such henna resemble a color tattoo. When choosing colored henna, it is worth studying its composition: some chemical components can cause an allergic reaction. There are gentle paints in which natural ingredients predominate.

It is important to know! The final color of the picture also depends on the skin tone. When natural henna is applied to very light skin, it may turn out not brown, but orange.

Henna for mehendi, where to buy

In order not to be disappointed in the quality of henna, it is better to purchase it from trusted sellers with a positive reputation.

The dye can be purchased from an Indian store, a specialized online store, or from a henna specialist. Information about sellers can be found on the Internet at sites and forums dedicated to mehendi.

Mehendi patterns - the benefits of temporary tattoos

Many people want to beautify their body, but cannot decide on a permanent tattoo. After all, it is common for everyone to change their tastes and preferences. And the tattoo will remain forever.

Biotatu is temporary and can even be a test case before applying a permanent pattern to your body. Another advantage of mehendi is the painlessness and ease of the procedure. An ordinary tattoo is stuffed with a special tool, while injuring the skin and causing a lot of unpleasant sensations to its owner.

Mehendi is applied to the top layer of the skin and does not leave behind negative effects... In addition to feeling pain during the application of a conventional tattoo, there is a danger of introducing infection into the human body. When performing mehendi patterns, this is impossible. In addition, henna, on the contrary, has a positive effect on the skin, thanks to the healing properties of the plant from which it is made.

How long does a mehendi tattoo last?

How long the mehendi pattern will last on the body depends on the type of henna... The pattern made with natural henna will last the longest - from 1 to 4 weeks. A drawing applied with colored henna will delight its owner from 5 to 7 days. Image durability also depends on the professionalism of the master and compliance with the recommendations for the care of mehendi.

The choice of the part of the body on which the mehendi will be drawn also affects the stability of the pattern. On the arms and legs, the pattern will remain bright for the longest time.

How to draw mehendi: choosing a style

After the henna is chosen, it is worth considering the mehendi pattern. You can choose a modern drawing or turn to antiquity. For the centuries-old existence of mehendi several styles of his drawing appeared:

• Arabic style resembles oriental painting and contains many floral elements. Arabic mehendi does not have strict application rules. The main thing is that it looks rich and elegant.
• African style characterized by the presence of a large number of geometric shapes and straight lines. If mehendi is drawn on the legs or arms, then the contours of the image should correspond to the lines of the feet and palms.
• Indian style is considered the most difficult in technique. Plants, animals, and various figures are used as drawings for mehendi. Each element of the picture carries a certain semantic load. Mehendi patterns take up a lot of space on the human body. They can often resemble bracelets, gloves, and stockings.
• Asian style includes Arab and Indian traditions. A characteristic feature of this style is the complete painting of the fingertips.
• European style mehendi was established relatively recently. It is a mixture of all styles. It has no traditions, rules and sacred meaning. The choice of pattern is based on the tastes and preferences of the person.

Interesting to know! It is generally believed that henna is used mainly by women to decorate their bodies. However, henna is also used by men. In most cases this is done for a practical purpose.

For example, Bedouins living in the deserts of Africa use henna to cool their feet. At the same time, they do not apply patterns to themselves, but simply dip their feet into the prepared henna solution.

How to make mehendi at home

To draw mehendi, it is not necessary to go to the salon, you can do it yourself at home. This will require creativity, dye, and sample drawings.

As a dye, you can buy ready-made paste or make it yourself. For homemade dye, a special henna for mehendi powder is used. If you can't find it, then you can use regular henna for hair. At the same time, it must be made smaller - sifted through a sieve, or thoroughly pounded in a mortar.

As additional components for the dye, you can use lemon, sugar, strong infusion of black tea, coffee. Here are some recipes:

• 2 tbsp. mix tablespoons of sugar with the juice of 1 lemon. After that, start gradually adding henna powder (20g), stirring until a homogeneous mass is formed.
• 100 ml of strongly brewed tea is mixed with the juice of half a lemon and 2 tbsp. tablespoons of sugar. Dilute henna in the resulting mixture.
• Add 3 drops of olive oil to a cup of hot coffee, 3 teaspoons of lemon, everything is mixed. 5 tablespoons of henna are poured into the finished solution.

  

The resulting paste must be left in a dark place for a day. For the preparation of henna, it is better to use unnecessary containers, which you do not mind throwing away later. You can pour the pasta into a homemade cone.

A cone can be made from thick paper by rolling it into a cylinder. When drawing a pattern, make a small hole in the cone. You can also draw with special wooden sticks. To facilitate the process of drawing mehendi, you can use a stencil with the selected pattern.

Good to know! Not only henna, you can make mehendi at home. Basma or iodine may be suitable for this. When using basma, you get a burning black color. And with iodine, a drawing of a copper shade will come out.

Mehendi for beginners in stages:

Preparation for application

To apply a mehendi pattern, you need to prepare the skin. To do this, you need to peel on the place where the image will be.

For home exfoliation, you can use a scrub or just a hard washcloth. It is also necessary to remove all hair in this area. The day before applying the pattern, it is better not to expose the skin to excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation: do not visit the solarium, limit your stay under the scorching sun. It is also not worth applying moisturizers before drawing mehendi.

Where to draw mehendi

Mehendi is the oldest body painting art that can be applied to any area of ​​the skin. Representatives of a beautiful body all over the world use such decoration for their bodies. There are no strict rules for choosing a place to draw a pattern. It all depends on which part of the body the woman wants to emphasize.

Most often, temporary tattoos are preferred to be applied to the most open areas of the body: arms, neck, legs, face. In the summertime, you can make mehendi on the back, lower back and thigh. This choice is especially relevant on a seaside vacation.

As an unusual surprise for her man, a woman can apply a pattern to her breasts. This pattern will also be seen in clothes with a wide neckline or in a swimsuit. This will give the woman mystery and sexuality.

It is important to know! To avoid skin diseases, you should not draw mehendi more than 2 times a month in the same place.

Mehendi on the hand - sketches

Very often, hands are chosen for applying mehendi. They are always in sight and attract the attention of others. The subjects of the images on the hands are varied. It can be delicate designs in the form of floral arrangements, oriental lace, fancy ornaments.

You can opt for geometric shapes, images of animals and plants.A pattern imitating gloves on hands will look very impressive. Also, using a pattern, you can create the illusion of bracelets and rings.

Despite the fact that mehendi on hands in the modern world is used more for aesthetic purposes, it has its own meaning. The drawing on the right hand shows thoughts and aspirations in a person's life. Images on the left hand influence important decisions. It would be appropriate to place symbols of good luck on it. For example, an image of an elephant will do.

Mehendi on the leg - photo

Mehendi bracelet on the wrist - sketches, photos

Mehendi on the back - sketches, photos

Mehendi on the hip

By drawing mehendi on the hip, girls tend to show their sexuality and also to intrigue the male gender. A lotus flower can be used as an image on the thigh. It symbolizes the feminine principle.

The garter pattern will suit relaxed ladies. The thigh area allows you to apply a volumetric pattern with several elements. Drawing on such a part of the body will not go unnoticed. But it can also be easily hidden by wearing pants or a longer skirt.

Mehendi on the face

Mehendi on the face is not often used. This is usually done at holidays and theme parties. The face is the calling card of a person. It is very important not to spoil it.

For the face, small patterns and small drawings are suitable. For a drawing on the face, you can choose a star denoting a divine origin. The crescent moon painted on the cheek symbolizes the beauty of a woman.

In India, at the wedding of the bride, many small dots are painted on her face, which show love and devotion to her husband. The disc depicted on the face speaks of the girl's chastity.

Caution! It is best to use natural henna on the face. It is better to try colored henna immediately on other areas of the skin and see if it will cause allergies.

Mehendi on the neck

The person who paints mehendi around his neck is very ambitious and strives for a high position in society. On the neck, you can draw a lizard, which symbolizes wisdom and a strong spirit.... You can depict a vine, which denotes friendliness and a peaceful attitude.

Several crayons of birds along the neck will also look organic. They symbolize love and purity of thoughts. For the neck area, not only drawings, but also inscriptions are suitable. This can be your name, the name of a loved one, Chinese characters.

Mehendi on the chest

The image on the chest means insolence, protest and denial of all norms. Such a drawing can be afforded by courageous and sophisticated girls.

Mehendi drawings on the body

You can make a pattern in the form of a neckline, which will consist of a floral ornament. Traditionally, animals, oriental lace, lotus are depicted on the chest.

Mehendi in the palm of your hand

On the palms, you can use the African mehendi style. In this case, geometric shapes or a pattern consisting of clear straight lines are applied to the back side. Each figure has its own meaning.

The square stands for stability, the triangle protects against disease and natural disasters. The sun is often drawn on the palms. It symbolizes divine power and immortality. Intricate patterns intertwining with each other are also suitable.

Technique for applying mehendi step by step

1. Prepare henna for painting: buy ready-made paste or make a dye yourself.
2. Lay out the necessary attributes for drawing next to you.
3. Protect clothing from henna.
4. Clear skin areaintended for drawing, treat it with an alcohol solution. After that, the place for drawing must be lubricated with eucalyptus oil for deeper penetration of the dye into the skin.
5. Sketch a drawing on the skin with a felt-tip pen or a cosmetic pencil. If the image will be applied using a stencil, then it must be fixed with adhesive plaster or tape.
6. Apply paint along the outline of the sketch or stencil by extruding the paste from the cone into a layer of 2-3 mm, or using a wooden stick. All drawing defects or excess dye should be immediately removed with a cotton swab.
7. The mehendi area must be dried for 1 to 12 hours. To do this, you can cover the drawing with a film, or substitute it under the sun's rays. The more henna stays on the skin, the brighter the image will be. If the skin dries in direct sunlight, you should periodically sprinkle it with lemon juice.
8. After the paint has completely dried, you need remove it with a wooden stick.
9. Wipe the place with the pattern lemon juice, sesame, almond or eucalyptus oil.
10. Do not wet patch of skin with mehendi for 4 hours.

How to care for mehendi

For a longer preservation of the brightness of the mehendi pattern, you need to follow certain rules for caring for him:

• It is necessary to lubricate the drawing every day. vegetable oil. Olive, sesame, almond, or eucalyptus oils work well.
• Be sure to wipe oil painting before contact with water.
• Do not use scrub and a washcloth in the places where the pattern is applied.
• If the mehendi is applied to the hands, then use rubber gloves when cleaning.
• Refuse to visit the pool during the presence of mehendi on the skin.
• Do not use the sauna. Also, do not take too hot showers or baths.
• If possible, reduce too close contact of clothing with the pattern.

Mehendi - meanings of drawings

With the help of mehendi, you can not only emphasize your individuality and beauty, but also express your beliefs, show your outlook on life, and reveal your character. Also, mehendi can become a symbol of feelings, amulet and protection for its owner.

In order to make the right choice, you need to get acquainted with the meaning and meaning of mehendi drawings. The most common images and their meanings:

• Flowers - the most frequent drawing chosen by women. Floral compositions embody femininity and fragility of the fair sex. Also flowers symbolize happiness and joy.
• Turkish cucumber draw to attract well-being and prosperity into their lives. It is also recommended for girls who want to get married as soon as possible.
• Owl shows the wisdom and flexibility of a person's mind.
• Pen indicates the originality and brightness of the personality.
• Elephant is drawn as a sign of power, greatness and dignity.
• A fish symbolizes love desire.
• Curved lines in drawing will bring good luck, great career achievements.
• Earring shows a person's creativity.
• Swastika in mehendi it is used as protection from the evil eye and damage.
• Whip - a symbol of a person's dignity.

Mehendi is a great way to show yourself from a new side, to attract the eyes of others and express your essence. To do this, you just need to carefully study the rules and subtleties of this ancient art.