MORGAN's MEHNDI ART

MEHNDI ART

Mehndi comes from the Sanskrit word "mendhika". From a Vedic custom, inteded to be the symbolic  representation of the outer and inner sun.  Traditionally, it is the "awakening of inner light" as it were, shown by painting Henna  on the hands or feet. For five thousand years, it has been a  sign of good luck on religious and festival events. That's  the historical  background of the Mehndi. But it  is also a beautiful art form, and one that Morgan decided to try out this week. A long preparation . So worth it! So beautiful !

                    The designing of the henna markings  is the first step. The process  of making the paste and application takes almost a full week. Anyone can do this. Not difficult to do, just have to be so patient.The house smelled like tea tree oil  the entire time.....( That's actually a good thing....though I think a little less tea tree oil would be better, since it seemed to be rather strong over time.)

 

 RECIPE for HENNA PASTE: 50 gr henna powder ( can be bought online), 1 tsp each of cumin seeds, peppercorns and whole cloves. Brew 1 cup hot coffee. Add spices and 2 cinammon sticks to coffee. Slowly add Henna powder and stir. Should  be the consistency of whipped butter. Let sit in airtight container for 20 hours. THEN add 2 tsp tea tree oil ( less) and stir. Let sit in airtight container for NO LESS than 72 hours.

On day of application:  make Sealant. This  is applied after the Henna paste has dried on the skin. Mix 3 tbsp lemon juice and 3 tsp sugar. Will resemble syrup. Heat in microwave 2 mins. 

             Test the mixture. If it stains a white piece of paper, then it is ready to use.

                             Squeeze the mixture into traditional Mehndi cones,  made out of plastic foil gift wrap. ( The type of stuff that is used to wrap gift baskets with). Do NOT use any items that come in in contact with food, like pastry bags.

               Prepare several cones of Henna paste. This paste will keep in freezer for 3 months or more.

                            Begin the design test. Test on palm of hand...a small design to start.

                                          Paste should stick to skin and not be runny.

 Mehndi is usually applied during Hindu weddings or festivals like Karva Chauth, Vat Purnima, Diwali, etc.  This week, this was merely a chance to try a new art form. It was so exciting to see the steps involved and see  Henna designs come to life. Morgan's art form took another journey this week.

                     The design will set. And it needs to sit from 3-4 hours to insure proper staining.

                             When the time comes that is has hardened enough, the paste can be scraped of with a plastic fork. Do NOT use a metal utensil that is used with food. This plastic fork can be recycled later. Or tossed out.

               The colouring  is slightly amber.It will darken after time and depending on how long it sits.

                             Use a paper towel to take off the rest. Do not use soap and water.
                                                        It will damage the design.

 NOW it's time to start  more intricate designs. Morgan started with my left hand first.

                                 Drawing an outside edge design to fill in as she went along.

                                       Adding scroll work and points.

                                     Finishing the first part of the design into a wrist band.

                                  Marks were next added to show where the final parts of the design would go.

                                    The finished Mehndi design feels like  a bandaid  on  the wrist.
It doesn't feel sticky or itchy. Really comfortable. Has a scent of tea tree oil, that can get a little overpowering after a while. Again, I would think just backing off the oil a tad would help.

          It's said  the earliest evidence of Henna on the body shows up in Egyptian mummies, whose hair and nails were stained with henna tones.

                     The Henna plant: "Lawsonia inermis", was first grown in Egypt and then brought to India around 700AD, or thereabouts.

                         You can find pre-made Henna cones that makes it easy to use.

                                And any designs can be implemented. Just need to let your ideas tumble .

                    On a larger piece , like the one Morgan did on her own arm, it takes a bit longer to dry.

               Though mainly used as a decoration for Hindu brides, Mehndi became known as Henna Tatoos, somewhere in the 1990's. For generations, women have used this paste to cover their hands and feet  to ward off evil, and promote good energy. This was an incredible day, this rainy, cloudy, windy day, because I got to spend time with Morgan , learning  about Mehndi. I watched  my daughter,  the artist, do something really amazing and difficult. Absolutely loved it, and would do it again in a heartbeat.