Mehndi is an ancient art form that has been used for centuries to decorate the hands and feet. It is a type of body art that is created by applying intricate designs with henna dye. The basic elements for mehndi design are the same regardless of which culture or area you are looking at - it all comes down to lines, shapes, patterns and symbols. Lines can be simple or complex; they might be straight or curved, thick or thin - each line adds detail and depth to the overall design. Shapes such as circles, squares, triangles and stars add more structure to a design while also providing different opportunities for shading and color blending. Patterns range from abstract images like swirls and paisleys to specific motifs like flowers or hearts. Symbols may have various meanings in different cultures but often represent good luck charms such as elephants or peacocks; they can also be used as personal symbols like initials written in Arabic calligraphy style lettering. All these elements combined create beautiful mehndi designs that make any hand look exquisite!