Haath Phool Guide: Styles, Sizing and Mehndi Tips

A haath phool is a piece of hand jewellery. It joins a bracelet at the wrist to one or more rings on the fingers, with chains or a decorated panel across the back of the hand. The name means "hand flower", after the round centre piece most designs have. You will also see it spelled hathphool, haathphool or hath phool.

It is worn by brides across South Asia. For a Punjabi bride, it shows off her mehndi and sits next to her chooda and kaleeras.

The main styles

Materials and finishes

Kundan haath phools use glass stones set in a gold toned frame. They look rich and suit heavy lehengas. Pearl designs feel softer and work well with pastels. Polki style pieces have a more uncut, vintage look. Oxidised silver tones suit a mehndi or jaago outfit, and are less common on the wedding day itself.

Try to match your haath phool to your other pieces. If your necklace and tikka are kundan, a kundan haath phool ties the look together.

How to get the fit right

A haath phool has three parts that need to fit: the ring, the bracelet and the chain length between them.

• Rings. Most are adjustable. Check that the ring sits below the knuckle and does not spin.
• Bracelet. Many close with a hook and an extender chain. Some are a solid bangle style. For a bangle style, use your bangle size.
• Chain length. The chains should lie flat on the back of your hand. Loose chains catch on clothes. Tight chains pull the ring when you bend your wrist.

To check the chain length at home, measure from the base of your middle finger to your wrist bone, along the back of your hand. Compare it with the chain length the seller gives you. A small extender at the wrist fixes most fits.

If you will wear your haath phool with a chooda, wear both together before the wedding. The bracelet sits right next to the chooda and should not push against it.

Wearing a haath phool with mehndi

Bridal mehndi takes time to set and darken. Jewellery on wet mehndi smudges the design.

• Do not put on a haath phool while mehndi is still wet.
• Let the paste dry fully and scrape it off before wearing any hand jewellery.
• Avoid water on your hands for as long as you can after removing the paste.
• Wear your haath phool once the stain has settled, usually on the wedding day.

On mehndi night itself, if you want something on your hands, choose a light floral or gota haath phool. Put it on after your mehndi is done and dry. Or wear it on the hand that is not being decorated while the artist works.

One hand or both

Some brides wear a haath phool on both hands. Others wear one on each hand only for photos. With a full chooda and kaleeras, one pair is usually plenty. If your mehndi design is detailed, a single ring style shows more of it.

Caring for it

• Store it flat, with the chains laid straight, so they do not tangle.
• Keep it away from perfume, sprays and water.
• Wipe it with a soft dry cloth after wearing.
• Keep it in a separate pouch from your other jewellery.

How Outbox House can help

• Shipping is free across Canada on orders over $150, and across the US over US$200.
• Book a free appointment, in studio or on video, to see pieces up close and ask about sizing.
• Our studio is at 47 Humberstone Crescent, Brampton. See how to reach us.

If you are not sure which style suits your hands, book a video call and we can show you different haath phools on the hand before you order.