The History of Mehndi

We humans are fascinated with body decoration right since the beginning of life on earth. It is believed that early human cave dwellers braided seashells into their hair and wore bone necklaces. This art kept on improving with time and later Stone Age civilizations painted their hair and bodies with plant and mineral dyes. This colouring of bodies suggested group membership or rank which they belonged to. Gradually, symbolic body painting or colouring became a magical part of hunting rituals, religious festivals, and ceremonies. Origin, history and tradition The practice of henna body decoration dates back to Islam. Henna is thought to have first come into use in Egypt for coloring fingertips and finger nails, palms of hands, and soles of feet. One of the earliest documented uses of henna is found in the archeological evidence of Egyptian tombs in the valley of Nile. Mummies of Egyptian rulers and their families were prepared to enter the next world with henna-tinted fingernails. Hieroglyphics names henna as pouquer. In Middle East, the leaves of the henna plant have been used for centuries as a beautification of the hands and feet. This has been done particularly as religious ritual or during some ceremony. In India, the women utilize it to beautify themselves before big occasions such as wedding and holidays. The traditional patterns mimic a lacy look, like gloves on the hands and arms, and very intricate and ravishing.                                                                                                                                                          Mehndi Tradition in India Henna's first roots in India are in question. During the reign of Augustus, Emperor of Rome (27 B.C.-A.D. 14), Egypt became an important trade centre for commerce between Rome and India. There are ancient murals in the Ajanta- Ellora caves near Mumabi (old Bombay) dated before A.D. 350 that, remarkably, show a princess of Patliputra reclining under a tree, half asleep, having her hands and feet painted with flowery henna designs. Historians mention that henna may have been brought to India along with Persian horses around A.D 712. What is known is that henna has been cultivated in Rajasthan since around 1476.

The History of Mehndi

Mehndi, or henna, has a long and ancient history. It’s been around for thousands of 

years. Mehndi was introduced to India in the 12th century, by the Mughals. At first, it was only used by the rich and ruling families. Eventually, it was liked and used by everyone. As more people started using mehndi, the recipes and patterns became more refined. In 13th and 14th century Persian art women and dancers were displayed with henna painted hands. Arabian countries used mehndi for its cooling properties. Muslims used mehndi since the beginning of Islam. Even Prophet Muhammad colored his bear and hair with mehndi. Egyptians used mehndi to dyethe hair and fingernails of their dead, over 5000 years ago.

HISTORY

It is difficult to track the history and origins of mehndi because of centuries of migration and cultural interaction. Even though it is difficult to determine where the traditions began, there is some historical evidence claiming that it originated in ancient India as a ceremonial form of art. The most commonly believed tale is that mehndi was introduced to India by the Mughals. It has been used for at least 5000 years for its cosmetic and healing properties. Documentation proves that the ancient Egyptians stained the fingers and toes of their Pharoahs prior to mummification. Mehndi application methods and designs became more sophisticated as its uses spread. In 17th century India, the barber’s wife usually applied henna on women. Most women from that time, in India, are depicted with their hands and feet adorned with henna, regardless of their social class and marital status.

OTHER USES

Besides being the key ingredient in mehndi, henna has also been used to dye the manes and hooves of horses;  to color wool, silk, and animal skins; and to color men’s beards. Studies of mummies dating back to 1200 BC show that henna was used on the hair and nails of the pharaohs. When the henna plant’s cooling properties were discovered it became very common for the desert people in India to paint their skin and cool down their body temperatures.

MEHNDI TODAY

The intricate designs that are common today emerged only in the 20th century. Mehndi was used in the U.S. as a hair dye until it became popular back in 1996. Traditional henna uses and applications have been replaced with contemporary designs and especially Arabic mehndi. Even though a few people still prepare their own mehndi, mehndi kits and cones have become very popular. Cones have made the application process faster and easier. Convenient stencils are also widely popular. Mehndi, once sacred, has now become misused and applied all over the body, especially by Westerners. The West sees mehndi as a temporary “tattoo.” However, most of the world has given up traditional designs for the more contemporary Arabic styles, leaving traditional mehndi only for brides. Luckily, there are still few who keep this traditional method alive.