Henna Patterns

More henna patterns. To answer some questions I've been getting...

The henna paste takes about an hour or so to dry. After that, it starts peeling off. Once the henna is completely dry, you can even rub your hands to shake off the excess.





The color darkens overnight. But you can't get your hands wet. Some people apply sugar syrup or lime juice to their hands. I don't because I can't sleep with sugary, lemony hands.






Everyone has a different reaction to the henna. Some people get very dark colors and some don't. There are all kinds of stories about the significance of this.

Positive people:

If the color is light, it means that you will love your husband with all your heart.
If the color is very dark, that means your husband loves you very much.


Negative people:

If the color is light, you are very cold hearted person.
If the color is dark, you are over emotional and dramatic.


Henna lasts for about 2 weeks and then starts to fade away. It takes about a week for it to completely fade away.

On a side note, the pesky, annoying "Anonymous" commenter has been banished from this website. He can visit but only post a comment if he signs in. I had to threaten him with public humiliation on facebook, doing something scandalous that would ruin his future political career, and the best thing that works, "no more college money for you."

Sigh.

Henna 2

This is me and my henna hands. Like I said before, the henna lady applies henna on one hand, and tells you to come back in an hour. She wants the hand to dry before applying it on the other hand.

I told this lady that I had very little patience and could sit still only for about 15 minutes. She took 10 minutes to apply henna on each hand. After an hour, the henna dries and falls off. No worries. Just don't get your hand wet.

And here is why you need at least one dry hand...

Henna

I was archiving stuff and found these photos of henna. And no those are not my hands.

Traditionally, at Indian weddings, the bride gets henna art done on her hands. Other women also get henna artwork done.

Indian wedding ceremonies last for days. One of the ceremony is the Mehdi or the henna ceremony. Professional henna ladies come in and all the ladies get henna. There is music and dance and always some food.

Note to family: When is the next family wedding?