Indian Designs tend to have a central theme. Usually they are drawn within a square, rectangle or circle which is then surounded by a myriad of smaller patterns that cover the hands and lower arms, the feet and ankles. Motifs are raken from a vast Indian decorative vocabulary : Moghul flowers, Paisley patterns, complicated tendril designs, stars, vines, spirals, leaves, checkerboards, water drops and waves. Often the intricatedecoration can give the impression of delicate lace gloves.

As well as these small repeated patterns, larger , more figurative motifs are frequently used, such as lotus flowers, unripemangoes, fans elephants, butterflies, fish, parrots, peacocks, sweets and traditional musical instruments.

Even Indian jewellery and watches have been included in the designs. The fingers are covered with special linear motifs and the fingertips may be dipped in heena, staining the fingernails. Border motifs are applied around the wrist, ankles and footsoles.