mehndi

Photo by Chrissy Long/flickr-CC
Indian brides often decorate themselves with mehndi using dyes from the henna plant./Photo by Chrissy Long/flickr-CC

Refers to the traditional Indian and diaspora art of intricate hand and body decoration using dyes from the henna plant. Used mainly by brides during marriage ceremonies, it is now becoming popular as an exotic decoration and a non-permanent “tattoo.” In recent years, mehndi has gained attention in the West as a result of its use by Western pop stars and actresses.

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