Every person has a need for beauty. Since time immemorial, it has been common for people to decorate themselves and their surroundings with images that they observe around.
India is a country not only of violent colors of amazing nature, but also of a variety of magnificent ornaments! Indian patterns, the most popular of which are floral, can be seen in architectural forms, home furnishings, handicrafts, dishes, clothes, fabrics and wearable decorations.
The most revered flower and symbol of India is the lotus, whose images are most often observed in floral ornaments. The second most popular is the mango fruit. Images of trees are frequent. In the art of Islamic India (Islam forbids portraying people and animals) they are the only possible elements of decor.
Indian patterns also appeal to religious themes. The most common symbol is Aum (Ohm), a swastika, and the attributes of the gods - a trident, a drum, a checkmark with a dot in the middle.
Among the geometric and abstract elements, the undisputed leader is the Indian cucumber, or paisley. You can often find a stylized image of the sun.
Bizarre, complex and original Indian patterns often perform not only an aesthetic function, but also have a sacred meaning. Most
vivid confirmation of this is the Indian body painting (mehendi, mehindi, mehndi), which has become one of the most recognizable signs of this amazing country.
In ancient India, worn patterns served as amulets, protecting their owners from disease, misfortune, and even death. Henna drawings were also used to attract love. The exquisite ornament on the hands attracted the woman's eye while dancing, and the smell of henna mixed with essential oils inflamed passion. It is believed that images of plants, birds and animals on a woman’s body connect her with nature, reproduction, nutrition and growth.
The symbolism of mehendi is manifested in the application of the signs rupa (bodily), yati (rebirth), svar (sun), atman (individuality, soul).
Everyday images are quite simple, but for the holidays, girls and women cover their bodies with marvelous colors, intricate lace motifs and bizarre arabesques that reveal the character of the celebration. Wedding mehendi is given special meaning. On the eve of the ceremony, experienced relatives painted the body of the bride and groom with thin metal or wooden sticks for several hours, dedicating her to the secrets of marriage. Needless to say, than
the drawing was more difficult as a result, the bride was more prepared, and the union was all the more happy ?!
Indian women believe that wedding mehendi will attract a lot of voluptuousness, love, care, and help to maintain the loyalty of her husband. The hands, wrists, feet, and ankles are painted most of all with paint, the paint lasts longer due to the characteristics of the skin. By the way, the drawing on the hands is a kind of guarantor of the honeymoon, since the young wife is traditionally relieved of household chores while the wedding painting is kept on her hands.
Is it any wonder that Indian patterns on arms and legs are gaining ever wider popularity around the world?
