1000+ Offline Mehndi (Henna) Designs

Henna (Arabic: حِنَّاء‎) is a dye prepared from the plant Lawsonia inermis, also known as hina, the henna tree, the mignonette tree, and the Egyptian privet, the sole species of the Lawsonia genus.

Henna can also refer to the temporary body art (staining) based on those dyes (see also mehndi). Henna has been used since antiquity to dye skin, hair and fingernails, as well as fabrics including silk, wool and leather. Historically, henna was used in the Arabian Peninsula, Indian Subcontinent, parts of Southeast Asia, Carthage, other parts of North Africa and the Horn of Africa. The name is used in other skin and hair dyes, such as black henna and neutral henna, neither of which is derived from the henna plant.

Regions:

Henna being sold at the Egyptian Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey.
Bridal henna nights are a popular tradition in North Africa, the Horn of Africa, South East Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, the Near East and South Asia.

Egypt
In Egypt, Henna is an Ancient tradition practised among women on many occasions. At weddings, all women gather the night before the big day and start having Egyptian Henna drawings all over their hands and then on the feet but with lesser extent.

Algeria
In Algeria, the bride's mother-in-law traditionally presents her with jewelry and paints the henna on her hands.

Morocco
In Morocco, henna is applied to a bride's hands and feet during a ceremonial henna day, prior to the wedding. The bride's hands will then be wrapped in cotton and sprinkled with rose water. The wrapping of the hands allow the henna to set to a deep crimson tint. Most of the women in the bride and grooms family will in turn have henna applied to their hands with less extensive work.

India
In India, As a part of Hindu and Sikh weddings, henna is applied during wedding ceremonies. Traditionally it is thought that the darker the henna on the bride's hand, the more intensely her husband will love her. It is an important part of many Hindu festivals (such as Karva Chauth and Diwali), as well as during Eid.

Saudi Arabia
In Saudi Arabia, prenuptial Henna nights are common. Traditionally the bride’s hands are painted with henna by one of her female relatives, the belief being that the relative must be happily married or else she will bring bad luck to the bride.

Pakistan and Bangladesh
In Pakistan, henna is used on hands and feet by brides before their wedding, and by many women for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Often the (women) friends and relatives of groom design or choose the design for the hands and feet of bride. It is also used by men to color their hair. As well as Bangladesh.

Singapore and Malaysia
In Malaysia, Henna has been used to adorn women's palms, arms and feet as part of pre-wedding celebrations, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Often, a henna ceremony may be held called 'Berinai'. The bride and groom each have their hands stained, but in a trio of ceremonies.

Israel
In Israel, many sfaradi/mizrachi and middle eastern communities and families sometimes choose to have a henna party about a week before the wedding.

Somalia
In Somalia, henna is worn by Somali women on their hands, arms, feet and neck during weddings, Eid ul-Fitr, Ramadan, and other festive occasions. Somali henna designs are similar to those in the Arabian peninsula, often featuring flower motifs and triangular shapes.

Tunisia
In Tunisia, prenuptial henna celebrations last for seven days. On the 3rd day, the bride wears a traditional dress and has henna painted on her hands and feet. As for the groom, his pinky finger is painted with henna on the 6th day.

Turkey
In Turkey, henna is sold in convenience stores and markets. Among these are the Spice Bazaar in Istanbul. It is applied onto the palm's of a bride the day before her wedding and to other guest's attending. Up until recent year's it was used in the rural regions as a hair colour by the older women.