Henna History

Henna is a dried powder made from a plant called Laesonia Inermis. This plant grows predominately in hot climates. The henna plant is found in places like Iran, India, China, Indonesia, Egypt and the West Indies. The powder is made from drying the leaves of the henna plant and crushing them. The dye that results from the powder is a reddish-brown. The traditional Indian name for the art of henna is referred to as mehndi. Henna can be traced back to ancient Egypt. Ancient Egyptians used henna to color their hair beards and nails. Henna has also been used throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

India is located in Asia, and has been regarded as the home of henna. In India, henna art, or mehndi, usually uses floral designs. These designs are usually done on the feet, shins, hands and forearms. Designs done in the Middle East vary from the Indian designs. Middle Eastern designs are large and less intricate. There is much use of floral designs, leaves and shapes because of their religious belief that Muslims cannot pray with figurative representation of the body. As a result, there are no pictures of faces or animals. In the Middle East, it is common to see the fingernails dyed with henna. Arab brides use henna frequently at their weddings. In Africa, the designs used for henna are different from other parts of the world. African designs incorporate large geometric designs with bold solid color. Women's designs from North African tribes represent superstitions that have been passed down. These tattoos are intended to ward off supernatural forces. They also tattoo their faces to protect against forces entering through the face. It is also common to find henna designs of religious symbols.

Henna is an essential in the wedding ceremonies of many Eastern cultures. The hands and feet are designed and are sometimes extended up the lower leg and arms. Before the wedding, all of the brides' female relatives and friends from both sides of the family come together and have a mehndi, or henna, night. During this night, they gather together to celebrate and decorate the bride to symbolize her transformation from a child to an adult. They make food, sing songs and prepare the henna. The brides' mehndi designs are detailed and are done by a close relative or a professional henna artist. These designs reflect good fortune, fertility and happiness in the new marriage. Some rituals require that the mother-in-law applies the first dot to the bride's hand or the rest of the design cannot be finished. The relationship with the mother-in-law and the bride is important because the bride will have to live with her husbands' family after marriage. In the Middle East, particularly the Gulf Region, the henna ceremony is held three days before the wedding. There are instances in certain communities where the groom's hands are decorated. Henna has been adapted in American culture and is very popular today. It can be found in certain shops and online.