Mehndi is considered a woman’s art. Although men often painted and practice mehndi, too. As more Westerners begin to practice the art, this trend will continue. Historically, it has most often been painted on the hands and feet of women about to be married. The word shringar, an Hindu term, refers to the beauty of a woman’s creativity. Mehndi is one of the ways that Indian women express their shringar. Women have traditionally used mehndi as a means to celebrate life. In America, we bake cakes and buy cards to mark special occasions. Mehndi designs are unique reminders of important occasions and last for up to two weeks!

No one really knows where mehndi originated. Some people think it started in ancient Egypt. Egyptians were known to dye their fingertips with henna. It was considered impolite to leave one’s fingertips unpainted. Some historians believe that the Egyptians may have given the henna plant to the people of India as a gift. It’s truly amazing that so little is known about the origins of mehndi, an art that carries with it so much ritualistic and symbolic significance. Mehndi designs are often handed down like powerful family heirlooms. Each design has a meaning, as does the act of painting the design of the skin. The wonder of mehndi, of course, does not end when the henna paste dries. The deepness of the color influences the power of the wish or prayer connected to the wearer. Mehndi reminds us of the cycles of life: It is created, and then it fades away.

There is an interesting connection between the meaning of mehndi and the women who make it and wear it. Women’s bodies are deeply connected to the cycles of the earth. The moon waxes and wanes approximately every twenty-eight days, just like the menstrual cycle of a woman. Mehndi also has a cycle: It usually wears off in two weeks, about the time between a woman’s ovulation and her period. This is very significant: Ovulation is the time when women can metaphorically give birth to creation. (At this time an egg is available to be fertilized. When a woman’s period arrives, it washes away the unused egg, and the cycle begins anew. Maybe this is why women understand henna so well and continue to use it and teach it to their daughters, sisters, and nieces.

It many societies, including our own, the talents o women were shadowed and suppressed. It was only recently that women began to work outside of the home. Women continue to fight for their rights all over the world. Mehndi has always been a retreat for women, a space where they could safely bond with one another and share secrets. Now that mehndi is super popular, the secrets of the art are being shared with men. It is a different world now, and women have been allowed to share in some of men’s secrets as well. So boys and men can practice and wear mehndi. In spirit, however, henna painting will always be a woman’s art.

What about you? Just because you are not a devotee of Hinduism or animism does not mean you cannot deeply appreciate the art of mehndi. As we approach the end of the century, the ritual is expanding to fit new ideas. More and more, kids unafraid to look different and experiment with new ways of thinking. Think about the subcultures that might already exist in your school. There might be ravers, Deadheads, hippies, punks, cheerleaders, jocks, skaters, and other groups. Most people who are members of a subculture have a particular way of adorning themselves. Punks might wear leather jackets with spikes and T-shirts with their favorite band’s name on them. Deadheads and hippies often wear tie-dyed T-shirts and India print dresses. Ravers might adorn themselves with really baggy jeans and other androgynous attire might dye their hair in bright colors. What do you think the members of these groups are trying to express with their adornment? How do you express yourself with style?

No matter how you were raised, as a Catholic, Muslim, Jew Buddhist, or anything else, it is healthy to learn about and experiment with the rituals embraced by other cultures, as long as you are careful not to exploit them. Some Hindus, in fact, were very disturbed when Madonna performed in traditional Hindi garb complete with bindis and ritual robes at the 1998 MTV Video Music Awards. She chanted in Hindi as well. As you experiment with mehndi, keep in mind that it is an art with a rich history and deep significant for the people of the East. It is important to learn the history and traditions behind these arts as you make them your own. Every art form evolves. Now that henna painting is taking off in America, these people creating new designs are part of the evolution of this art form.