Most women in the Arabic world and the Indian subcontinent are familiar with intricate mehndi designs that are a ‘must’ have on most traditional occasions. But how often do we stop to think of what the significance of mehndi really is?
What is it About Mehndi?
Mehndi is the true essence of that phrase. No longer is the word Mehndi or Henna unfamiliar the world over. Sported by famous actresses and the likes the world over especially as temporary tattoos or simply to look exotic, these versatile designs also reflect the wearer’s personality – bold or demure, traditional or modernistic!
Not only do the designs make for amazing temporary body, but has cooling medicinal properties too. It has been known from Vedic times to play an integral part in keeping the palms cool in the hot and humid climes of the Indian sub-continent. With the advent of the Mughals, came the love of using this beautiful paste made from the mehndi leaves as body art!
Influence by the Arabic countries, Pakistan and India three prominent styles of mehndi designs have emerged over the years – the exotic Arabic and the traditional Pakistani and Indian. Today, your choice of Mehndi design is usually a reflection of your personality!
Emulating the Grown ups – Mehndi for Kids
Every little girl loves to play dress up. And nothing is more obvious than her love of mehndi right along with the other women in the household. And yet, one cannot expect children to have the patience to sit through an intricate mehandi design being patterned on. And of course fancy motifs have hardly any charm for her over birds, butterflies, flowers or even superhero symbols. So simple mehndi designs it is for the kids!
The joy of mehndi is all the more since it is temporary and yet gives the impression of a tattoo. This is especially a source of interest of children who can mimic tattoos as part of their party attire. Cutesy and yet simple mehndi designs for kids are a rage for traditional events too like a wedding in the family or during festivals.
A Step-by-Step Guide to the World of mehndi designs for kids
Given the sensitive skin, the one important note for the grown ups is to ensure that there are no added chemicals as far as possible for simple mehndi design you choose for your child. As far as possible, one must ensure that it is only the henna paste that is used for the child. After all, the thrill of the design is all that really appeals to the child.
For the Tiny Tots
Your superhero fan will be enthralled with the Superman logo in this simple mehndi design.
If you research a little in advance, it could be a Spiderman or even Batman logo too! Go with your child’s imagination on this one. Keep it simple and spread the joy!
Children draw inspiration from Mother Nature, be it in their choice of subjects for art projects or patterns for their clothes. Help your little one choose as simple a design, from birds, butterflies, flowers or even bumble-bee on a flower.
This simple yet traditional floral motif is a great design idea for festive occasions. Dressed in fancy little lehngas … she will be the heart of the family, with this simple mehandi desgin on her hands.
On the other hand, maybe for her birthday she could sport a bumble-bee on a flower to go. This neo-classic concept design is just the right quotient of cuteness to go with her party attire.
One of the prettiest mehndi design concepts I have seen thus far is probably this next glittery butterfly!
Complete with blue and pink rhinestones.. it would be a perfect complement to her dress and hair accessories. You could probably choose other colours depending on her dress. These stunning concept mehndi designs for the kids is probably what will inspire your own choice of mehndi designs next!
How about this simple star and crescent design for Eid? It has just the right element of intricacy to seem fancy to your little one and yet a simple mehndi design befitting her age
For the Young Missy… Glitter and Fancy it is!
Just as the little girls copy their mother’s dressing style, so does she want to have more intricate mehndi designs just like her mother. But knowing how hard it is for them to wait patiently for the mehndi to dry, it is still advised to keep it as close to the intricate patterns you may choose for yourself and yet cut down excessive intricacies and keep it as simple as possible.
So she graduates from superhero logos and bumble-bees to more ‘grown-up’ floral patterns. If she wishes to go traditional for the festive occasion, you could choose the exotic Arabic style mehendi. This style incorporates the use of darker and lighter shades of mehndi within the design, so as to make it ‘pop’. There are also typical motifs used in this style that helps identify the style distinctly. Truly exotic, these finished designs compliment both the artist who applied it as well as the wearer.
This Arabic style mehndi is a simple design and yet has the flair of intricacy that makes her feel like she belongs with the grown up cousins and aunts. Give her small danglers in her ears, matching bangles and a dressy salwar kameez or lehnga… she will be the princess to steal the show!
An interesting adaptation of the Indo-Arabic style of mehndi design is the following one, where the pattern is broken into segments across the fingers. It is interesting simply because of the completeness of the design when the palm is held together and yet has its own separate identity with the fingers apart. A collective design to make one simple mehndi design for the hand!
Where butterflies spread such joy, can the majestic peacock be far behind? It talks of simplicity and yet is majestic enough to be an interesting design. Moderately intricate, it will make your little girl preen with joy!
Glitter gel based mehndi art seems to the next trend in mehndi styles. They make for perfect accessories with your traditional attire and add a twist while at it! Sometimes, you see them embellished with rhinestones set on the mehndi while it is still wet, so that it acts as a natural glue. But do be sure to test the gel on your child’s hands before you get the entire design etched. You do not want to have to deal with an allergic reaction later.
This striking blue stars and trails makes for a pretty falling star effect. A simple yet memorable design for the kids!
So this festive season, let your little girl shine with her choice of body art…. let her simple mehndi design compliment her childlike innocence and her beautiful smile. She will not need much jewellery with this pretty design with a ring design on her finger! Bound to catch the eye of even her grown up relatives!!
