Floral Mehndi Designs

Floral Mehndi Designs: Background and Style

Flowers are among the most common motifs in every henna tradition, from Indian and Pakistani mehndi to Arabic and Gulf styles. The lotus is a frequent motif in South Asian designs, where it is associated with purity and beauty. Large roses with shaded petals are a signature of Arabic and Gulf-style henna. Vines and leaves are used to connect separate flowers into one flowing design.

Common motifs

• roses
• lotus blooms
• five-petal flowers
• leafy vines
• buds
• petal-ring mandalas

Application tips

• Draw the centre of each flower first, then build the petals outward so the spacing stays even.
• For shaded petals, drag a little paste inward from the outline while it is still wet.
• Vary the size of the flowers; one large bloom with smaller ones around it looks more balanced than many of the same size.