Henna Page

 
Henna, also known as Mehndi, has really become popular over the last several years.  I went to Cairo Carnival in California in 1998 and was amazed at all the booths dedicated to the art of Mehndi.  What you will find on this page will be links to books, history, websites and more dealing with Henna.  There is even a Henna Mehndi web ring.  I hope this page will give you a little more insight on this beautiful art form. 

Henna is a shrub with small white, yellow, pink or cream-colored sweet smelling flowers.  It grows to be 8-15 feet high.  It thrives in hot, dry climates.  Powdered leaves of the plant have been in use from the most ancient times in the Middle Eastern and South Asian countries for dyeing the hair, hands, feet and the nails.  

Common names for henna are: Henne, Mehndi, Mendee, Al-Khanna, Al-henna, Khidab, Jamaica Mignoneete, Egyptian Privet, Smooth Lawsonia and Reseda.

Articles
Books 
Directory of Artists
FAQ's
History
Websites
Yahoo! Groups


Articles

Collection of articles from Mehendi Art website

Mehendi: Dye for Marriage, part 1 - from Hinduism website

Books 
Click on the title of the book for ordering information.

The Art of Mehndi - by Sumita Batra, et al
Paperback - 144 pages (May 1999)
Penguin USA (Paper); ISBN: 014028401X


A stunning guide to the ultimate fashion statement by the henna body painter to the stars. Mehndi, the ancient Indian art of henna design, is the hottest accessory sported by today's fashion world. Madonna made it famous in her Ray of Light videos; Liv Tyler showed it off on the cover of Vanity Fair; and Naomi Campbell flashed it on the catwalk. Now, Sumita Batra, mehndi artist to the stars, brings the definitive guide to this 3,000-year-old art form of body painting. Among her many clients is Madonna, who asked Sumita Batra to decorate her hands and face for the 1998 MTV Video Awards ceremony. The Art of Mehndi delves into the history and symbolism of the art as well as mehndi in the fashion world of the 90s, and offers practical instruction on how to make and apply henna paste. More than 30 original designs, 125 color photographs, and 150 line drawings make this the must-have guide for both the fashion conscious and the spiritually conscious. Synopsis Madonna made it famous in her "Ray of Light" videos; Liv Tyler showed it off on the cover of "Vanity Fair"; and Naomi Campbell flashed it on the catwalk. Now the mehndi artist to the stars presents the definitive guide to this 3,000-year-old art form of body painting. 125 color photos. 105 line drawings.

Henna From Head to Toe - by Norma Pasekoff Weinberg 
Hardcover - 80 pages (May 1999)
Storey Books; ISBN: 1580170978


Discover the Natural Beauty Secret of Ancient Cultures Henna has been used for thousands of years in the Middle East, India, and Moorish North Africa to naturally color hair and nails, decorate the body, perfume the skin, and even impede bacterial infection. The rich, sepia colors of this natural dye complement all skin tones and the long-lasting stain makes henna a safe, beautiful, temporary, and fun form of body art that offers versatility and style. With the friendly, step-by-step instructions in Henna from Head to Toe!, you’ll learn to prepare the henna paste, apply the dye, and care for the color -- which can last for several weeks. Simple instructions for making henna transfers will guide novices to body-design success and author Norma Weinberg suggests patterns, simple and intricate, for freehand fun. She even explores the symbolic meanings of certain popular henna designs. Step-by-step illustrated instructions and recipes are also included for hair coloring, nail conditioning, medicinal uses, and more!

Mehndi: the art of henna body painting - by Carine Fabius & Michele M. Garcia 
Paperback - 112 pages (August 1998)
Three Rivers Pr; ISBN: 0609803190


The magical art of mehndi, or henna painting, has been practiced for centuries in India, Africa, and the Middle East, and now it has finally arrived in the West.  Packed with inspirational photographs of traditional and contemporary mehndi, this complete resource offers everything you need to create your own beautiful henna designs, including:

• dozens of practice exercises and sample illustrations
• a foolproof recipe for mixing the henna paste
• step-by-step instructions on how to apply your mehndi design
• insider's tips from professional mehndi artists and more!

Synopsis a fully illustrated guide to the traditional Indian art of henna body painting--a popular method of dazzling the nonpermanent body adornment--this book offers dozens of traditional and nontraditional ideas for decorative body painting.

Mehndi: the timeless art of henna painting - by Loretta Roome
Paperback - 162 pages (June 1998)
Griffin Trade Paperback; ISBN: 0312187432


An ancient ritual still practiced in India, Africa, and the Middle East, henna body painting combines celebration, tradition, spirituality, and breathtaking beauty. This book provides readers with all the information they need to paint themselves or a friend. 50 photos. in color.

The most authentic, beautiful, complete book on Mehndi With gorgeous color photographs and step-by-step instructions and examples, this is the definitive book on the exotic and amazing art of henna body painting! Written by the nation's leading Mehndi artist, this is the most complete, most beautiful, and most authentic book you can find on the techniques, the symbols, the history, and the art of mehndi, including how to paint a friend or yourself.

The Mehndi Kit; Learn the Traditional Art of Henna Body Decoration
by Zaynab Mirza
Paperback: 72 pages 
McGraw-Hill/Contemporary Books; ISBN: 0809228017; (September 1998)

Traditional Mehndi Designs: a treasury of henna body art - by Dorine Van Den Beukel
Paperback - 228 pages (April 2000)
Shambhala Pubns; ISBN: 1570625581


Dorine van den Beukel's unusual how-to book, Traditional Mehndi Designs, details everything you need to know to create temporary henna tatoos, focusing on traditional designs from India, Africa, and the Middle East. Its three chapters (all tightly written and resplendent with full-color photography) outline the history of Mehndi, offer instructional techniques, and graphically document hundreds of designs that are carefully illustrated in black and white for you to copy onto yourself. One look at this gorgeous art book and you'll wonder why Mehndi didn't catch on during the 1960s. Head-to-toe paisley that washes off in the rain--now there's an concept that should tickle the fancy of the terminally hip.

Directory of Artists 

Henna Artists, Studios, Galleries, etc. - listing includes California, New York, some other states, UK and elsewhere.

Mehndi Artists Around the World - listing includes USA and Countries outside the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Mehndi Tutorial - from The Art of Mehndi

History
The leaves of the henna plant have been used in the Middle East for centuries as a beautification of the hands and feet.  The reasoning behind this has been done particularly for religious ritual and ceremony.  Indian women utilize mehndi to beautify themselves before big occasions such as weddings and holidays.  

Henna history - from Plant Cultures: exploring plants and people

History & culture - from the Henna Page

Websites 
There are a lot of sites on henna and below is just a sampling.  The below sites have pages linking to other websites on this topic.

The Art of Mehndi - this site contains a wealth of information

Crescent Moon Designs - various information on henna.

Ginger's House of Mehndi - various information on henna.

Henna Body Art - Henna Body Art Australia offers henna body art, henna body painting, henna temporary tattoos in Australia, bridal henna mehndi tattoos body art on navel and other part of body for festivals, corporate function, hens nights, birthday parties, weddings.

The Henna Page - a guide to henna body decorating.  First site I discovered back in 1997.

Henna Products - suppliers and exporters of henna products, henna tattoos, mehndi, hair dyes & colors, powder, heena paste, body paints, cosmetics, stencils, pens and henna kits

Henna Tattoos AZ - various information on henna.

Henna Tribe - Our mission is to provide an online community, informational resource, and professional network for anyone interested in the ancient art of applying henna to skin.

Images - various images from Google.com search

Magical Mehendi - various information on henna.

Mehendiart.com - various information on henna.

Qamar Franji - site has lots of useful information on henna as well as a large picture gallery and supplies for sale.

TapDancing Lizard -  henna and body art books: patterns, history, and traditions

Yahoo! Groups -HennaMehndi 

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