In India, the art of applying henna to the body is called Mehndi and it’s one of the oldest forms of body art in the world. Applying Mehndi before a wedding, one of the oldest Indian traditions signifies the love and affection between the couple and their families. A few popular beliefs surround the tradition: The darker the mehndi, the deeper the love between the couple. The color also represents the love and understanding between the bride and her mother-in-law. Long-lasting mehndi = good fortune and prolonged happiness for the newlyweds. It’s also a symbol of fertility.