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Henna dyes the top layer of skin,
so as the skin replaces itself and exfoliates away, the designs fade.
The areas with thicker layers of skin will last the longest~
The hands and feet can last up to 4 weeks.
The arms, ankles, back, and belly can last up to 3 weeks.
And the chest, and face will last a week at most.
The Two Best Areas of the Body for Mehndi
are the Hands and the Feet.
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Hands ~ the most popular and long-lasting area of the body.
Palm ~ designs invoke images of opening and offering (usually sun, flower, mandala)
Back of hand ~ acts as a shield-closing, defending, clenching-symbolizing protection.
According to Eastern Indian Palmistry
Right hand ~ Male, Projective
Left hand ~ Female, Receptive
Feet ~ the tops stain deeply & are long-lasting.
The feet are recognized as a point of divine contact, considered a holy junction,
where Human being and Earth meet.
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Symbolism in Tantric Philosophy
Point (Bindu)- The Supreme Reality
Seed (Bija)- The mysterious matrix in which everything emanates and merges.
All symbols begin with the seed.
Triangle -
Pointing up (Shiva)- Signifies active male principle. Resting on its base it represents fire, and the ascent to heaven.
Pointing down (Shakti) - Signifies active female principle. Reflects all that is feminine-water, fertile valleys, and grace descending from heaven.
Six Point Star (Satkona)- Signifies union of feminine and masculine principles.
Square (Catuskona)- Stability and order. Implies honesty, dependability, and shelter.
Diamond (Vajra)- Enlightenment.
Pentagram (Pancakona)- The 5 sections symbolize elements of fire, water, earth, air, and heavens.
Circle (Cakra)- Whole, perfect, infinite.
Mandalas- Concentric forms relating to a center point. By concentrating on a mandala the viewer penetrates the many layers of reality and moves towards an inner truth.
Flowers- Joy and happiness.
Lotus Flower- The awakening of the human soul. Grace, beauty, creativity, sensuality, femininity, and purity.
Sahasrara ~thousand-petal lotus~ uniting the soul with the 'Divine Source'
Sun, Moon,and Stars- Deep and lasting love between lovers/partners.
Vines- Devotion and perseverance, invoking both tenderness and vitality.
Birds-
Peacock (Mayura)~ Companion while separated from a loved one.
Swan (Hamsa)~ Success.
Scorpion (Bicchu)- Romance, its sting is analogous to Cupid's arrow.
Water- Human emotion.
Raindrops (Bundakis)~ Love and affection of a woman.
Waves (Lahariya)~ Deep passion and ecstasy.
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Symbolism from Morocco
Eye - Said to mirror back the 'Evil Eye'.
Square - Magical, used to heal and protect sick.
Water - Earth's fertility.
Bird - Messenger (between heaven and earth).
Tortoise - Protection, and fertility (from its relationship to water).
Lizard - Soul's search for enlightenment.
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