Henna has a symbolic and deep cultural significance in different traditions and occasions across different cultures throughout the globe . Lets see why we apply henna for different occasions:
1. Celebrating traditional and cultural values:
- Weddings: In many cultures, applying henna (known as mehndi) on the bride's hands and feet is a significant part of pre-wedding rituals. It symbolizes beauty, joy, and auspiciousness. Additionally, the groom may have a small amount applied as well. Not just bride/ groom, but some of the closed relatives from both the sides also apply mehendi in small amount. These days, there are mehendi ceremonies as well which is a part of pre-wedding function. A party is arranged for bride's friends and relatives to apply mehendi together and have fun.
- Festivals and Celebrations: Various festivals and cultural celebrations include henna application as a way to adorn oneself and celebrate the occasion. For example, Eid in Islamic cultures often involves applying henna as a form of decoration and celebration. In hindu culture, it is often applied as a symbol of a married women. Its a part of "dressing-up" for married women. Women who observe the rituals like Karwa Chowth, Nagpanchami, Goad Bharai do apply henna before they get ready for pooja.
2. Symbolism and Blessings:
- Protection and Good Luck: Henna is believed to have protective properties and is often applied on special occasions to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck and blessings.
- Fertility and Prosperity: In some cultures, henna application symbolizes fertility, prosperity, and a blessed union, particularly during weddings or childbirth ceremonies.
3. Community and Social Bonding:
- Community Gatherings: Applying henna during social gatherings fosters a sense of community and togetherness. It's often a shared activity where friends and family come together to adorn each other's hands.
- Mehendi Ceremonies: As mentioned earlier, mehendi ceremony during wedding is one such community gathering for the women to get together to decorate their hands with Henna and celebrate the occasion.
4. Artistic Expression and Beauty:
- Self-expression: Henna application allows individuals to showcase their creativity through intricate designs and patterns. It's a form of temporary body art that's aesthetically pleasing.
- Due to the celebration aspect, there are many mehendi artist who earn their living out of it. You need to be very artistic and creative to be a mehendi artist. The bridal mehendi artists charge good amount due to the efforts and details they put in their art.
5. Rituals and Ceremonies:
- Rites of Passage: Henna is used in various rites of passage, marking important transitions in life, such as coming-of-age ceremonies or other significant milestones.
6. Healing and Cooling Properties:
- Traditionally, henna is believed to have cooling properties and is applied to the palms and feet in hot climates to cool the body.
- People also use henna leaves in oils because of its medicinal properties of cooling effect.
- Its also used in hair colors or applied as a hair color because of its color properties and hair conditioning effects.
Applying henna on hands and feet is a beautiful and time-honored tradition in many cultures, carrying deep symbolic and cultural meanings while also serving as a form of artistic expression and celebration.