Mehndi is the traditional art of  henna painting in India. In this art form, a person applies designs traditionally to a woman's hands and feet  (although men also get mehndi done at certain auspicious occasions), using a dye made from henna leaves and various other ingredients. Mehndi came into use because of its cooling therapeutic effect in a hot climate, and, in India, it was also a way for a  bride and groom to get to know one another before an arranged marriage.  A variety of traditions underly the use of mehndi, including wedding games and legends.  For example, the groom's name is usually written somewhere within the  bride's mehndi; if he cannot find his name within the intricate design, the bride is said to have the control in the marriage.  Also, a dark mehndi design for both bride and groon signifies that the two will have a strong relationship.  Within the past few years, mehndi has becomed popularized in the West by musicians and Hollywood personalities alike, and is now a quickly rising trend among women and men in world culture.
 

The Indian name "mehndi" designates the process, the dye, and the stain of  mehndi.  To make the dye, the henna (mehndi) leaves are dried and finely ground. The powder that results is filtered two or more times through a fine nylon cloth. This filtering process results in removing the coarse fibers from the powder, making what is left finer and easier to use. The artist then mixes this fine powder with an oil (such  as eucalyptus, nilgiri, or mehndi oil) and another liquid (water or tea), making a thick paste. This paste is applied to the wearer's hand in various designs which can range from large, thick patterns to intricate paisleys and lace-like drawings, depending upon the skill of the artist and the style of designs used.  A solution of  lemon juice and sugar is then applied to the drying mehndi to allow it to remain  stuck to the skin and to improve the dying process.  After 2-1/2 hours when the mehndi dries, the wearer scrapes the paste off to reveal the designs, which resemble a tattoo. While the color of  the actual mehndi dye is deep once it is removed the dye leaves a color that varies from light orange to a deep brownish-black.