Henna painting- an ancient way of ritual decoration of the body. As a rule, women are happy to apply temporary patterns: this alternative to tattoos looks original and fashionable. Artist Sabrina Hack practices henna painting and says that recently a large number of representatives of the strong half of humanity have appeared among her clients. Photos of her work, which adorn strong male torsos, she recently shared on Instagram.
Henna drawings are traditionally associated with the wedding, the brides are sure that a skillfully applied pattern can bring good luck and accompany a happy marriage. True, modern men also appreciated the painting at its true worth, and are happy to turn to the master Sabrina Haque (Sabreena Haque). She, in turn, does not hide the fact that such an experience is interesting and unusual for her.
Girls most often prefer painting hands or feet, men are more original in this matter - they boldly experiment with large-scale drawings applied to the chest, back, shoulders, neck. In a word, there is more space and, accordingly, opportunities too. This is how Sabrina's beautiful ornaments are born.
The artist calls the painting of male bodies "menna", this word is formed by a combination of two English words "man" and "henna". Let's see if Sabrina Hack's "Ritual By Design" project will gain worldwide popularity, but given the commitment of men to tattoos, we can safely say that there are all the prerequisites for this.
Henna designs for men are a great alternative to tattoos. Such patterns are harmless to the skin and allow you to decide whether you want a permanent pattern on the body or not. Men's tattoos made with henna are called "mena". About what patterns you can choose to decorate your body and what meaning they will carry, you will learn from this article.
History of patterns
Henna has been used to create body patterns since ancient times. Men painted leather as early as the Bronze Age. Moreover, such underwear paintings were characteristic of almost all nationalities.
Residents of Muslim countries and various African nations used such drawings believing that they carry a special magical meaning. Certain henna tattoos were applied before fights, while others were simply for self-confidence or good luck.
In Asian countries, henna was also used because this quality product of natural origin restored the skin and made it better.
Now the patterns do not carry a special mysterious meaning and are used simply to decorate the body.
What style to choose?
While girls prefer to decorate their bodies with flower-shaped paintings, men choose something more interesting and complex. Another interesting trend is that sketches for guys and men are usually more voluminous.
Scale drawings can decorate a man's back, shoulders or neck. It looks interesting and versatile.
As for the style, mehendi is performed in several main directions. Let's take a look at their features.
Indian style drawing, as a rule, is preferred by girls. It is characterized by a fairly large area of the pattern. The pattern consists of teardrop-shaped ornaments, mandalas and all kinds of religious symbols.
Concerning asian style, it differs in that the palms are painted up to the fingertips. A similar approach is taken by masters working in the Moroccan style. But here all the lines and patterns are arranged along the lines on the palm and in the shape of the body.
Arabic style very symbolic. The painting consists of many elements and it is pleasant to look at it not only from afar, but also to look at all the details up close. The Arabic style is characterized by the use of symbols that bring good luck to life.
Symbols and their meaning
Henna patterns on the male body are now very popular. Let's see what temporary tattoos are offered to men by modern masters and what you should pay attention to when choosing the pattern that suits you.
inscriptions
The easiest, though not original, way to decorate your body is an inscription made with henna. Such a pattern is usually made using Latin words, Chinese characters or other unfamiliar languages. However, there is a catch in this. If you are inattentive and do not translate the meaning of a word or phrase, you risk getting into an awkward situation.
Owl
Birds in general are very popular with both men and women. The image of an owl among representatives of Indian peoples has always been considered a symbol of eternal life. They are also called wise birds, so they are often chosen to decorate their forearms.
a lion
A strong and proud animal is a symbol of nobility. Such a pattern on their body, as a rule, is applied by self-confident men who want to once again emphasize their masculinity.
The Dragon
Dragons also represent masculine strength and energy. They can be located on the neck, chest, or wrap their tail around their arm. In the paws or teeth of the dragon, there may additionally be an image of a cross or a dagger. It all depends on what meaning you put into the image.
Dream catchers
Like the decoration itself, its image on the body is designed to protect a person from negative energy and even damage. Dreamcatchers are also often complemented by religious symbols located inside the circle.
Snake
Like the dragon, this animal is considered noble. Snakes are the wisest animals, which symbolize knowledge and tranquility. Snakes often adorn the arms or ankles. It looks attractive and quite simple. So this symbol can be called universal.
Stars
To protect against dark forces and damage, images of stars were often used in the past. Now they are also considered something like a talisman. As a rule, the body is decorated not with one star, but with several.
Religious symbols
If you are a believer or are interested in various occult traditions, then the body can be decorated with appropriate symbols. For example, draw a classic or Celtic cross or a pentagram. The main thing is that it should not be upside down, because a completely different meaning is put into such a symbol. But the classic pentagram brings prosperity to life, and peace to the family.
In general, a temporary tattoo is a great way to express yourself, which suits both young guys and older men. This is not something you will regret after a few years, because the color pattern will disappear from the skin before you have time to get bored.
Another important advantage of such patterns is that you can make them both from a master who paints on his own, and on his own.
It is not necessary to be a professional artist to create a beautiful drawing. In addition, you may well use a stencil. Express yourself with beautiful body painting and attention is guaranteed.
This video contains examples of drawings for men:
Today, there are a lot of beauty salons in cities that provide henna tattooing services. But few people know that such pictures can be applied without leaving home, since this does not require any special equipment, and the application technique is quite simple.
You need to start by choosing a henna powder or paste. It is better to buy the raw materials that are intended for the tattoo. Henna, which is used for hair coloring, is not suitable for you.
Before applying a tattoo, it is recommended to exclude the risk of an allergic reaction. To do this, apply a little henna on the inside of the elbow and leave for several hours. If no uncomfortable reactions occur, you can safely proceed to applying henna tattoos at home.
Skin preparation
To make the tattoo look aesthetically pleasing and last a long time, prepare the skin for applying henna by doing the following procedures:
- Wash the area of skin with soap and scrub,
- Wipe the skin with a dry towel;
- Remove all hair from the area where the tattoo will be applied.
Now you can choose the method of drawing the picture and get down to business.
Applying a henna tattoo
The easiest way to apply a henna picture is to use a special stencil along with a regular brush. These stencils can be made by yourself or purchased online. If you have artistic talent, apply henna paste in any way convenient for you. A thin brush, a toothpick or a needle - you choose.
When the drawing is ready, it's time to fix the tattoo. The place of tattooing should be covered with eucalyptus oil or mehendi oil. All this can be bought online. After applying a henna tattoo at home, you will feel the tightness of dry skin. To eliminate dryness, apply lemon juice to the tattoo site. By the way, it also improves the elasticity of the skin.
If you are doing a henna tattoo at home, follow the recommendations below in order to avoid typical mistakes and omissions:
A couple more words
As you can see, henna tattoos at home are not a myth. You can really experiment with your own body at minimal cost. In the end, a henna tattoo, even if it is unsuccessfully applied, will be erased in a maximum of two weeks. So you have everything for bold experiments with this alternative direction in the world of body painting.
Since ancient times, women have painted the body with unique drawings, the name of which is mehendi. Unlike a tattoo that adorns the body for life, this type of painting remains on the body for several weeks. Henna drawings on the hand have recently gained popularity. Few people know what meaning lies in these mysterious drawings and how the painting is done correctly.
Mehendi is a pattern made on the body with henna.. This type of painting originated in ancient Egypt. Only the highest cells of society could perform mehendi. Now both the purpose and the name have changed. Currently, painting on the body is often also called biotatu.
The object of painting is often the hands, and this is no accident. For example, in India, during the performance of classical dance, the hands play a major role. That is why they are painted with henna patterns. Indian women paint their hands from the fingertips to the wrist, and sometimes even higher.
The painting is applied on both sides of the brush. The nail side is completely painted over, and on the inside the master applies painting, starting from his creative imagination.
What does a henna tattoo on the arm mean for girls
As for the girls, they choose henna drawing on their delicate hands precisely to give them beauty and unusualness. If we talk about drawings, then girls prefer plant themes. Beautiful flowers, small leaves or climbing liana add elegance to a woman's hand. The girls themselves note the fact that with such a painting, their movements become more graceful.
Henna on hands in Islam
In Islam, tattoos are strictly prohibited, but not painting with patterns on the body with natural dye, because henna affects only the upper part of the epithelium, without going deep into the lower layers of the skin. Given the religion of Islam and Sharia law, henna painting is a temporary and even useful tattoo. But as for the drawings themselves, there are some limitations.
In Islam, it is forbidden to draw images of people, animals, apply texts from the Koran on the body.
It is also impossible for unfamiliar men to see the painting.
The purpose of mehendi in Islam is to please your man, so it is forbidden for unmarried women to paint the body. Sharia law also prohibits mixing henna and graphite, which gives the pattern a darker color. This is considered a violation of the natural composition, which means that it changes the body as Allah created it.
Henna drawings on the hand for children
Not only women and men, but also children can paint their bodies and be in trend. Children's mahendi looks beautiful at a festive event and delivers a lot of positive emotions.
Mehendi, henna tattoo for boys
Mehendi on the body or arm is a fashionable and bright accessory for a boy who wants to be different from his peers. The most important thing is that henna for both girls and boys should be applied in its pure form, without any additives. The pattern applied to the body of the child will be a brownish tint.
Very popular among boys are henna drawings on the arm in the form of cartoon characters or outlandish animals. Boys are often eager to pattern their favorite characters. If your child is adventurous, you can buy a special set of pirate decals. It is possible to create mehendi for boys on your own, turning to your own talent and imagination for help.
Mehendi on the hand for girls
With girls, the task of applying henna to the area of the arm and body becomes more complicated. After all, they love everything colorful, beautiful, tender. A beautiful, winding flower is applied to the hand, which will emphasize the tenderness and grace or a sketch of an animal. A beautiful image for a girl will be mehendi in the form of a bracelet on her wrist. The pattern will look neat and beautiful.
For children, henna drawings are not just body painting, but part of their games.
Henna tattoos on the arm for men - what to do for a guy
The technique of painting on the body has gained popularity among the male half of the population. Modern men do not attach much importance to henna drawings, unlike the times of the glorification of God and the Olympic Games. At that time, patterns were applied only to the strongest. The people learned from these murals about the exploits and could praise the hero.
It is the hand that is a very popular place for men to draw henna. Most often, the painting is applied on the shoulder. The following drawings are suitable for him:
- the dragon is a symbol of intelligence and strength. Applying on the arm, in this case the shoulder, the drawing of a dragon, a man seeks to discover in himself the ability to go beyond the boundaries of the usual, to be noble and stubborn;
- cross - this symbolism is applied to Orthodox and Catholic men. Celtic crosses are often applied. These patterns are appropriate for both believers and atheists;
- inscriptions - usually these are some significant phrases, statements that prompt others to think. With any phrase, a man can show his feelings for a loved one;
- animals - the silhouette of a sleeping animal or the bared mouth of a wild beast - all this speaks of the character, audacity, cunning of the owner of the picture.
There are a lot of options for painting on the hands, and it’s not even immediately possible to determine the meaning of the applied pattern. Men cover with various patterns not only their hands. They put various images and symbols on the chest, legs, neck.
White mehendi on the hand - white henna drawings on the hands
Along with the already popular brown henna mehendi, white henna mehendi is gaining popularity. Such a painting resembles delicate lace patterns. This theme is very suitable for wedding ceremonies. When the bride makes white henna drawings on her hand, the pattern blends harmoniously with her outfit, which looks gentle and feminine.
But it is not clear how a white pattern is obtained from natural henna? After all, anyone who has come across a method of making a mixture of henna and covering the body with it should know that natural henna is finely ground dry grass. When this powder is diluted with water, a dark green color is obtained. What is mysterious and unusual in applying white henna mehendi?
White paste does not contain henna at all. The basis is acrylic paint called glitter. Unlike the red henna pattern, which is applied to the hand, the white henna pattern is not as durable.
The application process takes about 15 minutes, but it all depends on the complexity of the pattern. Very complex patterns can be applied for 2 hours. White henna drawing can be on the body for 2 hours or even 2 days. But only if you do not rub the body strongly while taking water procedures.
After all, the composition includes chemical elements and oxidizing agents, which, when applied to the skin, can cause an allergic reaction and leave a burn.
black henna on hand
To apply mehendi on a hand or other part of the body with black henna, you should know that black color does not always work out. It can be brown, and sometimes even burgundy. All these disadvantages relate to store products. But it is still possible to make black mehendi. It is necessary to add a special chemical composition to henna - PPD (para-phenyldiamine).
As for the time of manifestation of black henna patterns on the body, they appear quickly. Additional time will only add clarity and durability to the drawing. Many people admire the beauty that comes with black henna. After all, it is this henna that makes it possible to obtain the most believable tattoo.
It should be noted the disadvantages of applying black henna. When adding the PPD component to henna to give blackness, it is necessary to be aware of the consequences after application to the skin. Redness or, in the worst case, a chemical burn forms on the skin.
Doctors forbid applying henna with PPD to the skin of a child. A beautiful pattern can turn into serious skin diseases for him: eczema, dermatitis, skin itching.
When applying a pattern to the body, you need to make sure what the product is made of. The safest are mehendi made from natural ingredients.
Mehendi on the hand
Painting on the hand of women has gained considerable popularity. Drawing can become part of modern styles. There are several main areas on the hand for drawing a picture:
- drawings on the hand with henna on the back;
- patterns on the wrist;
- painting on the shoulder;
- painting on the forearm.
When making a painting on the hand, it should be borne in mind that each of the patterns carries its own semantic load and can even change the owner's inner world.
Mehendi henna bracelet on hand
Mehendi in the form of a bracelet is made on the wrist. The bracelet symbolizes success in love affairs, also serves as protection against diseases, gives energy and strength, and helps in love life. Mehendi in the form of a bracelet is applied during the celebration of family holidays or at a wedding.
The pattern in the form of a bracelet is suitable for both a woman and a man and is a beautiful stylish decoration. Women choose a bracelet pattern in the form of flowers, plants, figures, ribbons and lace. The stronger sex paints the wrist with strict geometric patterns.
Mehendi bracelets in the form of various hieroglyphs, love oaths and inscriptions are gaining popularity.
Mehendi on fingers
If painting with henna on the hands has already become a common thing, then the patterns on the fingers and toes attract special attention. Masters try to decorate this part especially interesting. On the fingers, you can usually see the painting in the form of small, neat images.
The main advantages of mehendi on the fingers:
- patterns can fully reveal the state of mind of the wearer;
- small size, not striking much in the eye;
- easily removed;
- patterns are light and can be applied independently;
- the pattern lasts 2-4 weeks and, if desired, can easily be changed to another pattern;
- painting emphasizes the elegance of women's hands or feet.
Mehendi on the arm to the elbow
Mehendi on the arm up to the elbow looks very festive. In this case, the master's fantasy knows no bounds. There are some interesting ideas for painting henna on the arm to the elbow:
- pen - lightness, spirituality, creativity;
- peacock - symbolizes eternal life, a holiday;
- dragon - power, strength, magic;
- owl - wisdom, intuition, intelligence.
Also, for painting the arm to the elbow, all kinds of inscriptions that carry meaning are suitable.
How much is a henna tattoo on the arm
Mehendi henna can be done at home. But if there are doubts about the skill, then you can contact special salons for drawing drawings of various sizes and complexity. The master will provide all the necessary sketches. It's just a matter of choice. Henna mehendi average price:
- small drawing - 350 rubles;
- drawing on the palm - from 550 rubles. up to 750 rubles;
- painting from fingertips to elbow - from 900 rubles. up to 1500 rubles;
- painting on the foot from fingers to ankles - from 600 rubles. up to 800 rubles;
- painting on the leg from toes to knee - from 1000 rubles. up to 1500 rubles;
- drawings on the back (depending on size) - from 1500 rubles. up to 3500 rub.
What henna is needed for mehendi
For patterns on the body, crushed henna is used. Allocate natural and synthetic henna. Synthetic can cause skin allergies and burns, so it is recommended to use natural henna. It is safe, although not as black as synthetic.
The brown shade, which is obtained when made from natural henna, can be diluted with basma. Natural henna is sold even by weight. But you can buy ready-made compositions of different colors for application to the body.
Henna for mehendi - where to buy, how much it costs
For painting on the body, it is necessary to use natural and high-quality henna. But where can you get one? Henna for mehendi can be purchased in online stores. There, for the finished composition in a tube or in a special cone with a volume of 25 g, the price is from 35 to 39 rubles. Henna is bought even in beauty salons.
Another place where henna is purchased for skin coloring is specialized shops with Indian products.
Along with the ready-made composition for body painting, you can purchase whole sets for body painting "Mehendi School". The price for such a set will be about 1600 rubles. There are many different oils to fix the pattern. The price of such oil will depend on the volume of the container and on the manufacturer.
For example, eucalyptus oil for mehendi for temporary tattoos 6 ml will cost 120 rubles, and oil for mehendi NEHA 6 ml will cost 99 rubles.
What henna for painting your body, where and at what price you decide to buy on your own.
How to draw henna tattoos on hands - drawing: rules
In order for the henna drawing, in this case on the hand, to turn out beautiful, you must follow the rules for applying the pattern:
- Initially, the desired sketch is selected.
- Then you need to prepare the paint. The finished composition is poured into a container, water at room temperature and lemon juice are added. Mix everything well to get a porridge-like mass. To saturate the shade and fix the pattern, a solution of strong black tea, coffee, even red wine is acceptable in the mixture.
- The main rule of mehendi is a properly prepared place of application. Wipe it with eucalyptus oil. As a result, the paint will lie better, last longer, and the shade itself will become brighter.
- For inexperienced artists, a stencil will come to the rescue.
- The painting starts from the far side, so as not to smear the drawing as you draw. If the line was drawn incorrectly, then it can be removed by soaking a cotton pad in sunflower oil. Although it must be borne in mind that a trace may remain. To avoid this kind of incidents, it is necessary to squeeze out the paint slowly so that it does not spread.
- At the end of the procedure, you must wait for the paint to dry completely. This will take 40 to 60 minutes. Dried henna should be shaken off using a soft cloth. Another way to fix the pattern is to apply olive oil, lemon juice, garlic or sugar.
Before the procedure, it is always necessary to check for the absence of an allergic reaction. It should be remembered that applying a henna pattern to the same area of \u200b\u200bthe skin is not recommended. This can damage the skin.
How much to keep henna on hand - how long does henna dry
After applying the henna pattern to the area of \u200b\u200bthe arm or other part of the body, it is necessary to wait for the henna to dry completely. For this, it is best to stay warm. The sun's rays can come to the rescue, but if this is not possible, then you can use a hairdryer.
Drawing dries 60 min, but if you spend a little more time on this process, the drawing will be richer and last longer. It is best to leave the drawing to dry overnight. It is necessary to carefully wrap the desired drying area with cling film and fix it. To do this, use hairspray, but only without alcohol. They wait until the varnish dries, then apply another layer of varnish and go to bed.
How to make bio henna tattoo on hand at home
If you do a henna tattoo at home, then you must definitely purchase special materials and tools. They will be needed for the preparation of the paste itself and for its application.
For the paste you will need:
- 20 g of henna powder;
- 1 tsp Sahara;
- 1 tsp aromatic oil;
- juice from 2 lemons.
To draw the drawing itself, you need:
- applicator (you can take a medical syringe, but without a needle);
- wide plastic stick;
- hairspray (without alcohol).
Mehendi on the hand for beginners - step by step and step by step with a photo
To make a henna drawing, you need to follow some steps and rules:
- before painting, an allergy test is carried out. Apply a little composition to the bend of the elbow and wait 30 minutes. The absence of an allergic reaction means that it is possible to prepare the area of the skin on which the pattern will be applied;
- with the help of soap, the skin is cleansed and unwanted hair is removed;
- after a while, after the skin has dried, a special oil for painting or eucalyptus oil is applied;
- dye for painting is done in advance, approximately 24 hours before application. Because the pasta needs to “ripen”.
- the drawing must begin with the main contour, which is then filled with small details;
- mehendi paste is applied from a bag or using brushes and sticks;
- the paste is applied with a layer of at least 2 mm;
- if an incorrect line is drawn, it can be removed with a cotton swab or napkin;
- after completing the pattern, the composition is left on the skin for 60 minutes;
- after drying, remove the paste with a scraper, a plastic card or the blunt side of a knife;
- the applied drawing cannot be wetted for 8 hours, so it is better to apply it before going to bed.
How many days does henna last on mehendi hand
The time spent by mehendi on the hand of each person is individual. If we count on average, then a natural henna pattern without additives will be noticeable for 10-14 days. If contact with water is excluded, then you can go with mehendi even 21 days.
How to erase, wash off henna from your hand
To erase mehendi from the skin of your hands, you must:
- It is good to steam the skin and rub it with a pumice stone without strong pressure. Repeating such a process is not recommended, otherwise scratches will appear on the skin.
- Heat vegetable oil, apply to the skin. After 30 min. wash off with warm water and soap.
- The scrub is applied after 3-4 hours. The procedure should be performed until the pattern is completely removed.
- Mehendi can be removed using sea salt. Large salt crystals are crushed in a coffee grinder and applied to pre-moistened skin. Gently rub the place of the pattern, occasionally adding water until the salt is completely dissolved.
What can be drawn with henna on the hand - what drawings, patterns
The murals applied to the hand can be both in the form of drawings and in the form of various inscriptions. This is a stylish and fashionable option for temporary tattoos.
Henna inscriptions on the hand
Many people prefer Latin inscriptions, but inscriptions in the form of hieroglyphs and in English are no less popular.
The inscription in Russian is rarely done, because phrases in Russian are not as mysterious and enigmatic as, for example, in Latin.
What small simple henna drawings on the hand to make
Hand painting is applied both in the form of complex drawings, but this requires a certain skill and knowledge, and in the form of simple drawings. You can even do simple painting yourself at home.
An example of a simple pattern is a feather, flowers, a bracelet. You can apply simple inscriptions.
Mehendi on the hand: meaning
As for the meaning of the picture, even in ancient India, mehendi was endowed with magical properties. To date, there are also mehendi that carry a special meaning.
Flowers
This type of drawing is suitable for the female gender. Flowers represent their beauty, passion, joy and success. You should also consider what kind of flower is applied to the body.
If it is a daisy, then it means innocence, if a sunflower means charm, and a lily speaks of the modesty and mystery of a woman. The rose, in turn, makes you aware of the virginity of the body on which this flower is applied.
Lotus
It embodies the purity and purity of the hostess. Lotus is applied by people who want to regain their purity or possess it. Often lotus is applied by pregnant women or brides.
People who want to be spiritually cleansed and find meaning in life also apply mehendi in the form of a lotus.
Owl
The symbol has a dual meaning. The owl is a symbol of wisdom, and the owl is a symbol of darkness, misfortune and death.
But today they use the symbol of an owl, not remembering the dark and unfortunate owl.
dream Catcher
It is a talisman against all evil spirits.
The image of a feather tied to a talisman carries the meaning of air and breath, without which life is unthinkable.
Crown
Mehendi, applied in the form of a crown, carries the meaning of power and authority.
Another crown is applied to emphasize a powerful beginning.
Feather
Symbol of rebirth. Previously, it was believed that the pen somehow helped to negotiate with higher powers. Such a pattern was applied by healers and shamans.
The Egyptians, on the contrary, considered the feather a symbol of justice. If you need to attract lightness of spirit into today's life, then it is recommended to apply the feather of a hawk or an eagle.
The Dragon
This painting carries the meaning of fertility and water.
The main meanings of the drawing in the form of a dragon are:
- honor;
- perseverance;
- force;
- magic;
- hidden spiritual qualities.
a lion
This sign also carries a double meaning. On the one hand, it symbolizes justice, power, steadfastness, courage, but on the other hand, cruelty and ferocity.
Now mehendi in the form of a lion is applied to challenge society and emphasize the steadfastness of character.
Mehendi on hand for good luck
Henna hand drawings are often made in the form of curved lines to bring good luck to life. These are lines of overcoming difficulties or a talisman for good luck.
You can use this painting if you want to achieve career success or find a groom.
Henna tattoo on the arm for women: photo
Beautiful stencils for henna on the hand: pictures
Easy, simple drawings, henna patterns on the hand (mehendi) for beginners: sketches
Mehendi (henna tattoo) on the arm: photo
Henna drawings on the hand: video selection
The first video provides instructions for applying a henna tattoo on the arm at home:
The second video provides an example of a simple henna drawing on a hand (owl) for beginners:
Experimenting with the application of selected henna patterns is best to start with the simplest patterns, complicating the image as you gain professional experience.