Role of Henna in colors and patterns in Indian traditions

Henna also called as “Mehandi or Hina” in India is a form of color derived from the shrub which grows up to 10 feet high. No festival is complete without the use of Henna in some way or the other. It has social as well as cultural significance. Socially henna is considered a good luck. It has grayish-brown bark which is hard and close-grained. Apart from using henna powder for making temporary body tattoos, the wood is also used for making tents. Henna is also used for coloring hair. It has cooling properties and keeps hair conditioned in the hot summer heat in India. Henna plant looks mostly like a tea plant, when the leaves are dried the powder of leaves is mixed with tea, lime, coffee, eucalyptus oil and egg sometimes to give protein to the body. Lime and eucalyptus oil help in keeping the skin cool and refreshed which it imparts the colors from tea and coffee. As henna is red orange in color the tea and coffee give it more deep brown color. The consistency of color can be controlled by using different ratios of tea and coffee. For more green in henna tea leaves are added and for more brown – coffee is added. Now a day’s even Swarovski crystals are being added to the designs and patterns of henna tattoos.

Mehandi is applied on hands and feet on auspicious occasions like on the wedding or during festivities. Henna symbolizes fertility and good fortune. The idea of using these colors on the body shows us how important color is in Indian culture. The patters of henna are matched with the dress which the bride would wear and the more intricate and fine the patter more beautiful it is considered.

Henna is also used as a healing medicine. It has antiseptic properties and help prevention from bacterial and fungal infections and fevers. In all, Henna has various uses in Indian culture and it symbolizes the importance of patterns and design skills of the henna designers.