When is mehndi used?

Mehndi is used for rituals and artistic expression. The form of body art painting is used commonly for Indian weddings. Although mehndi is often applied to the hands and feet of a woman, both the bride and groom are decorated in mehndi for an Indian wedding.

The mehndi done for a wedding is used to symbolize the love that the husband and wife have for each other. Several of the friends and relatives in an Indian bridal party can also be adorned with mehndi. Whether people receive the body art in preparation for a marriage ceremony or as a way to express themselves creatively, mehndi is a symbol of fertility.