What are Indian Mehndi Designs with their Meanings ?

2022 updated

by Sreeparna Ganguly
10 minutes read

What are Indian Mehndi Designs with their Meanings? Henna or Mehendi is a semi-permanent creative design drawn on the skin. The leaves of the Henna plant have natural red-brown pigment. This pigment has a lovely color that stays up to 3-4 weeks depending on the skin it is being applied to.

The Significance of Mehndi in India✨🌿 In the heart of India’s vibrant culture lies the ancient art of Mehndi, a tradition that paints stories of joy, auspiciousness, and love on the palms of its people. This intricate form of body art, made from the powdered leaves of the Henna plant, goes beyond mere decoration. It’s a symbol of celebration, a prelude to the ceremonies that mark life’s significant moments. Mehndi holds a special place in Indian weddings, where it is much more than an aesthetic choice. It’s believed to bring good fortune and prosperity to the bride and groom. The deeper the color, the stronger the bond and love in marriage. But its significance stretches further, embodying blessings, wisdom, and protection. Every pattern tells a story, every motif carries a prayer. This art form connects generations, with mothers passing down designs to their daughters, weaving a thread through time that binds families with beauty and tradition. It’s a moment of female bonding and camaraderie, where women come together to share in joy and anticipation. As we adorn our hands with Mehndi, we do more than decorate our skin. We embrace an age-old tradition that celebrates life’s fleeting moments with permanence and beauty. We connect with our roots, honor our heritage, and carry forward the legacy of countless generations before us. Let’s cherish these traditions that add depth and color to our lives. For in every line of Mehndi lies a story waiting to be told.

The use of dried henna leaf powder for creating designs on the skin is an age-old tradition of many Asian and African countries. In many religions, there is a custom of henna ceremonies before marriage as bridal beautification. Every region has left its own mark in the henna designs. For example, geometric patterns are a must in African henna designs; Arabic henna designs remain incomplete without abstract leafy designs.  Stylization and creative dimension have opened thousands of design options for henna. Indian henna designs are quite unique as it includes glimpses of Indian culture with intricate artistry. Indian henna designs also come with deep inner meanings may it be spiritual or artistic. Here are some popular Indian Mehendi designs with their meanings.

  1. Mandala Design or Circular Design

Image Credit :crayon.pk/

This is perhaps the most popular design in both simple and gorgeously decorated henna styles. Here the whole decoration is based on a central circle preferably on the main focal point of the design. The main circle is called Mandala in Hindu and Buddhist traditions. A mandala is a pictorial representation of our universe. It signifies the wholeness and ominous nature of life.

  1. Floral Patterns

Floral Patterns

Image Credit : pbs.twimg.com

Floral patterns, especially abstract flower designs are evergreen in henna designs. Both traditional and contemporary styles use these designs. Flowers are the joyousness of our nature and that’s why floral designs represent happiness and prosperity. For this reason, floral designs are one of the most preferred bridal designs in traditional Indian culture.

  1. Leafy Designs and Creepers

Leafy Designs and Creepers

Image Credit :horizensel

There is no more intricate and lively design in henna than a decorative vine or creeper. Leaves are a symbol of liveliness and vital force. Vines full of leaves signify prosperous life. Creepers, in real life, can be tenacious and show much more perseverance than full-blown big trees. This design is a symbolic representation of tenacity, perseverance, and liveliness.

  1. Peacock Design

Peacock Design

Image Credit :youtube

Peacock and peacock feather design looks lovely on everyone and it is also a popular design style among bridal henna stylists. Peacock is India’s national bird. This graceful bird is a living symbol of the beauty and creativity of our mother nature. This bird in the henna design also symbolizes feminine grace.

  1. Lotus Henna Design

Lotus Henna Design

Image Credit :ytimg.com

Lotus is the symbol of purity. This flower grows in the muckiest mud and rises itself higher with divine grace. Lotus designs in henna represent love, prosperity, and harmony between hearts. It also signifies the sensual feminine nature, beauty, and grace.

  1. Bird Motif Henna

Bird Motif Henna

Image Credit :googleusercontent

In many ancient cultures, birds were considered as the connective link between heaven and earth. Also, birds are named as the bearers of happiness in our lives. The bird design in the henna design signifies freedom and the free flow of the soul.

  1. Dulha-Dulhan or Radha-Krishna Henna Design

Dulha-Dulhan or Radha-Krishna Henna Design

Image Credit : thebridalbox

Among the figure motif henna designs, dulha-dulhan or bridal couple design looks gorgeous and has some attractive outlooks to it. This design represents the eternal promise of togetherness between the groom and the bride. The same symbolic representation stays true for Radha and Lord Krishna motif henna designs. Radha and Krishna are two inseparable symbols of love in our Indian traditions.

  1. Kalash Design

Kalash Design

Image Credit : Gorgeouslyflawed

This is a popular Marwari mehndi design that depicts Kalash or a narrow neck spherical-shaped container. In Hindu cultures, Kalash is analogous to life, and overflowing Kalash represents prosperity and happiness. This design symbolizes the wish for eternal prosperity.

  1. Decorative Heart

What are Indian Henna Designs with their Meanings

Image Credit : K4 Fashion

Heart henna is a contemporary style in which the heart-shaped motif is decorated with filler patterns of choice. The heart symbolizes purity and faith. These two qualities are essential for a successful relationship and that’s why this henna design is often used in bridal Mehendi ceremonies.

Beautiful Leg Mehendi Designs

Beautiful Arabic Mehendi Designs For Hands !

You may also like