Henna~Mehndi

What is Henna? What are Mehndi, Mehandi and all those other words?

Henna is the Arabic name of a bush of the botanical name, lawsonia inermis. Leaves are harvested from this bush, dried and powdered to make henna powder. The paste made from this powder, used to dye the skin, is henna paste. The pattern on the skin resulting from the application of henna paste is called a henna. If you have henna patterns on you, you have been "hennaed". Since many countries from the Atlantic coast of Africa to Malaysia use henna, there are many other words for both the bush and the adornment; though in every country, the plant and the skin pattern are known by the same name. In India, there are several words for the plant and the art, because there are many languages and dialects in India. Since the words in these languages were not originally written in a Roman alphabet, there is a great deal of difference in translation of the word from those languages to English. Mehandi is the translation favored by several companies who publish henna pattern books in Delhi and Mumbai. Mehndi is a translation favored in Hindi. There are over 20 variations of the word for the henna plant and art that have been used in publication...all are equally correct.

I'm sure many muslim women from different parts of the world know how to make beautiful henna designs and how to prepare actual Henna.Mostly Henna is used on certain occasions and celebrations ,or sometimes just to beautify yourself for your husband .
Henna is the oldest tradition , used by women centuries and centuries back.

 

Jazakallah for viewing ;-)