Mehndi Designs

Mehndi is the application of henna as a temporary form of skin decoration traditionally from India .

Henna is a flowering plant used since antiquity to dye skin, hair, fingernails, leather and wool.

Traditionally women in India make the henna paste by grinding fresh henna leaves on a grinding stone with added oil. This method is known to bring much darker colors than the modern methods.

In the modern age, people often buy readymade Henna cones, which are ready to use and make painting easy.

Henna was originally used as a form of decoration mainly for Hindu brides.

However, it is also applied during special occasions such as Hindu festivals.

In some Hindu festivals, every woman tries to have Henna done on her hands and feet.

It is usually drawn on the palms and feet, where the color will be darkest because the skin contains higher levels of keratin which binds temporarily to lawsone, the colorant of henna.

Because of the time it takes to prepare, often many people are involved in the process.

Mehndi designs consist of taking small naturalistic designs and motifs (such as a Paisley shape, straight lines, scallop lines, dots, tear-drops, leaf shapes, etc.) and combining them to make a large, more complex design

The Process:1. Henna paste is usually applied on the skin using a cone or a paint brush . Sometimes a small metal-tipped bottle is used.

2. The painted area is then wrapped with tissue, plastic, or medical tape to lock in body heat, creating a more intense color on the skin.

3. The wrap is worn three to six hours, or sometimes overnight and then removed.

4. When first removed, the henna design is pale to dark orange in color then gradually darkens through oxidation, over the course of 24 to 72 hours.

5. The final color is reddish brown and can last anywhere from one to three weeks depending on the quality and type of henna paste applied, as well as where it was applied on the body (thicker skin stains darker and longer than thin skin).

Mehndi decorations became fashionable in the West in the late 1990s, where they are sometimes called henna tattoos

Alanis MorisetteAlanis Morisette

Mehndi Hand Project

1. Select a flesh-tone colored construction paper

2. Create a contour line drawing of your hand – life size

3. Fill in with Calligraphic and Naturalistic Line Designs

4. Cut out and neatly mount on black paper

5. Sign front with white colored pencil

Hands have a lot to say!Hands have a lot to say!

Symbolism of Hands

Symbolism- Clasped HandsSymbolism- Clasped Hands

Christianity- sign of prayer, submission and Christianity- sign of prayer, submission and sinceritysincerity

Hinduism and Buddhism- sign of greeting, Hinduism and Buddhism- sign of greeting, respect and venerationrespect and veneration

Symbolism- Horned HandSymbolism- Horned Hand

Mano Cornuto- Italian for horned handMano Cornuto- Italian for horned hand Poking out the eyesPoking out the eyes Satanic belief- sign of the beastSatanic belief- sign of the beast ““rock on”rock on” With thumb extended- “I love you” in ASLWith thumb extended- “I love you” in ASL

Hand GesturesHand Gestures

form of body languageform of body language Non-verbal communicationNon-verbal communication Meanings vary by cultureMeanings vary by culture Range from complimentary to offensiveRange from complimentary to offensive Used by clubs and organizations to show Used by clubs and organizations to show

membership and pride membership and pride

Visualize a gesture for each word or phrase:Visualize a gesture for each word or phrase: Stop!Stop! No, no!No, no! Come here.Come here. Can I get a ride?Can I get a ride? OkayOkay Loser!Loser! PeacePeace MoneyMoney

HANDS in HANDS in FAMOUS FAMOUS

WORKS OF ARTWORKS OF ART

Leonardo da Vinci

Detail from The Last Supper, 1495-98

Michelangelo BuonarrotiMichelangelo BuonarrotiCreation of Adam, Creation of Adam, 15101510

scene from the Sistine Chapelscene from the Sistine Chapel

M.C. Escher

Drawing Hands, 1948

Norman Rockwell, Freedom to Worship, 1943

Albrecht Durer

Hands, 1506

Portraits of HandsPortraits of Hands

Line DrawingsLine Drawings

Inspired by Mehndi DesignsInspired by Mehndi Designs

Begin with a Contour Line Drawing of your hand in various gestures. Come in from sides of paper.

Add Calligraphic Lines then fill in Add Calligraphic Lines then fill in with Naturalistic designswith Naturalistic designs

Calligraphic Lines Only in Background

Calligraphic Lines Only in Background

EXTRA CREDIT Opportunity:Up to 20 points:

1. Select a flesh-tone colored construction paper

2. Create a contour line drawing of your hand – life size

3. Fill in with Calligraphic and Naturalistic Line Designs

4. Cut out and neatly mount on black paper

5. Sign front with white colored pencil