Practical exercise
Design and photograph one mehndi pattern with symmetry
Mehndi (henna) is one of the oldest design languages in South Asia. The vocabulary is small (dots, lines, paisleys, curls, leaves, flowers, mandala circles) but the rules of symmetry are strict. Today you will design one mehndi pattern on paper using one of three classic symmetries: mirror, rotational, or radial. You do not need henna; pen on the back of one hand or just on paper is enough. The point is the rule, not the dye.
Now try it
Design and photograph one mehndi pattern with symmetry
Stretch
Repeat with one of the other two symmetries on a new sheet. Three sheets total over time, one per symmetry, gives you the basic mehndi grammar.
Goes into your portfolio
Two photographs of your finished pattern: one full overhead shot showing the complete design, and one with half the design covered to prove the symmetry rule, plus a small note saying which symmetry rule you used (mirror, rotational, or radial).