The Mehndi ritual

In some parts of the Orient such as Pakistan, India and Africa, the bride and groom prepare for their wedding with a beauty ritual of elaborate designs painted onto the skin with henna ink…

This ritual, similar to a western hen party, involves all the female friends and family of the bride getting together to celebrate the upcoming wedding. With music, dancing and the aroma of incense, intricate henna tattoos are drawn onto the hands, forearms and feet of the bride. It is not only the bride who takes part in this pre-wedding ceremony and often, the groom will have his hands stained with the elaborate henna designs too.

The ink used is created using the dry leaves and stems of the henna plant which contains a naturally occurring red ink. In addition to tattoos, the ink can also be used as a natural hair dye, conditioning the hair and leaving it with a reddish tint.

Historically, the Mehendi ritual symbolizes a strong and long lasting marriage and it is said that the darker the henna, the greater the love will be between the betrothed couple. Similarly, the longer the bride retains the henna tattoo on her skin, the more prosperous her future will be.