Henna and Its Traditions

The henna art was in practiced in India, Middle East and parts of Africa for more than thousands years in both cosmetics, and healing capacities.

The Henna art is a very old custom originated in 12^th century A.D. The word henna has its origin in the Arabic word Al-Hinna. It used by rich and royal people to decorate their body temporarily. It is a paste made from the powdered, dried leaves of the henna plant (Lawsonia inermis).Its stain is usually cherry-red to brown in colour but this can vary with time and other substances, added to improve the deep colour .

Henna Plant

Use of henna application

It was used as a means to cool down the body for the people who lived in very hot places where they were applied at the extremities(hands ,feet)of the body to cool the inner systems. . The art of henna decorating has been practised in Northern Africa, Middle East, Southern Asia and Europe and has been used by Hindus, Sikhs, Jews, Muslems ,and Christians. In the beginning, designs started as simple blobs to intricate geometric patterns designed to ward off evil, promote fertility and attract good energy. In India this art form is called‘Mehndi’- Hindi word for the art of applying the henna paste on the hands and feet of a person in desired designs.

How henna paste is prepared?

The whole leaves will not stain the body. The stain of the henna is due to Lawsone chemical compounds present in the leaves.When the leaves are crushed these compounds are released when they come in contact with the skin, they are absorbed. The absorbed lawsone compounds binds with proteins from the skin and creating a fast stain. To improve the intensity of the stain sometimes acidic substances are used as a catalyst.

To have the intricate designs the henna leaves are powdered by drying, milling and sifting .This dry powder is mixed with few drops of lemon juice, strong tea, Eucalyptus oil or other mildly acidic liquids to make a paste which is then used to make finely detailed art on the body part. The henna mix is allowed to rest for 6 to 20 hrs before use to allow the lawsone to be released from the leaf matter.

The paste can be applied with cone (nowadays the readymade cones filled with henna paste are sold in the shops , but the quality has to be considered)syringe, or fingers. A lighter stain may be achieved within 30 minutes, for the stronger stain it has to be left on the skin for a longer time. To avoid falling off this paste a syrup prepared with sugar is applied over the designs to adhere them to skin for a longer time. After drying for enough time either it is washed with water or scrapped off. Initially the stains are orange soon after the application, but they become dark in the following days.

Bird Designs

Interesting Facts

• The henna art was in practiced in India, Middle East and parts of Africa for more than thousands years in bothcosmetics, and healing capacities.
• Egyptians used to stain the fingers and toes of the Pharoahs with henna before mummification in a belief it will help them to identify their body afterlife. 
• Archeologists have even found mummies with hennaed hands. The use of henna in the 4^th,5^th centuries in the Deccan of Western india is clearly illustrated on Boddhisattvas and deities of cave wall paintings in Ajanta and in similar paintings in Srilanka.

Bud Design

Tradition of Henna celebrations

Bridal henna nights are popular tradition in North Africa, Arabia, East and South Asia. Jews, Muslims, Hindus, among others all celebrated marriages by adorning the bride, and often the groom with henna. Henna was regarded as having “barakh” blessings and was applied for good luck,fertility as well as for joy and beauty .Across the henna –growing region, henna has been used to adorn young women’s bodies as part of social holiday celebrations for centuries. Even favourite horses, donkeys had their hooves paws, and tails hennaed. Battle victories, Births, circumcision, Birthdays, weddings included henna as part of the celebration.

Henna tradition and belief in different countries

Algeria

In Algeria the bride’s mother-in–law presents her jewellry and paints the Henna on her hands.

India-. In India a variety of traditions underlie the use of Mehndi. Darker stain on the hand of bride and bridegroom is believed that the two will have strong bond throught out their life. Sometimes the name of the bridegroom is written in the intricate design of the bride’s body, if the groom fails to find it out it is said the girl will have the control in the married life. The longer the henna stays on bride’s hand the longer it is believed that her-in –laws will treat her well.

Saudi Arabia

In Arabia has been a symbol of good luck, health and sensuality in Arabia. The plant has been associated with positive magic and believed to provide a link to an ancient age of good and bad spirit Baraka and Jnoun. During wedding Henna celebrations a female relative who has long happy married life paints the bride’s hands with henna in a belief that she too will have a long lasting married life.

Somalia

Henna is worn by Somali women before wedding on their hands, arms, feet and neck .

Tunissia

The henna celebration Last for seven days. For bride she is painted on the 3^rd day where for groom it is on 6^th day.

Symbolism of Designs

The Arabic henna designs are usually large, floral patterns, on the hands and feet. In India it involves fine, thin lines for lacy, floral and paisley patterns covering entire hands, forearms, feet and shins. The African henna designs are bold and geometric patterns.
Because henna is part of many cultural traditions across many regions there are a number of symbols used within the art and each have various meanings and uses.
Here are some of the more popular symbols and blessings used within mehndi art:

Palm decoration - the designs on the palm are invoke images of opening and offering. (usually sun, flower, mandala)
Back of hand decoration - acts as a shield-closing, defending, clenching-symbolizing protection to the person.
Right hand - considered to be masculine and, Projective
Left hand - considered to be feminine and receptive.
Feet - the feet are given much importance ,because it is the part where the nodes end and are recognized as a point of divine contact, considered a holy junction,
where Human being and Earth meet.

Snake pattern

Vines and Leaves

Butterflies - Symbolizes transformation in one's life.
Dragonflies - Symbolizes rebirth.

Peacocks - Symbolises the beauty of the person
Swans - Symbolises success in married life.
Birds - Believed to act as messengers (between heaven and earth)

Parrots -considered as messengers of love,especially for the lovers.

Fishes - represents beautiful women's eye,some say it means easy and happy life.
Scorpian - the scorpion design symbolizes love and romance, its sting is compared to effect of Cupid's arrow where being stung by scorpion produces the same effects as being in love.
Flowers -Symbolizes joy and happiness in life
Vines and leaves - this design is used in belief of longevity, devotion, perseverance, entwined lives of two souls, and vitality.
Lizards and snakes - means the persons are seekers of enlightenment
Tortoise - symbolizes Protection and fertility
Lotus Blossom - symbolizes the light within / the awakening of the human soul. Grace, beauty, creativity, sensuality, femininity, and purity.
Sahasrara - sahasrara means thousand, a lotus with thousand petals exist 4 inches above cranium ,uniting the soul with the 'Divine Source' ,the design of lotus with thousand petals symbolizes immortality or yogic power.
Sun, Moon,and Stars - symbolizes long life and deep and everlasting love between lovers/partners
Paiselys - represent fertility and good luck to the couple.
Eye - this design is used to mirror back the 'Evil Eye',

chessbord- symbolizes the knowledge and wisdom of a person.

Zig-Zag- this design is used when person needs improvement in life.

Whatever the belief and artist system it is clear it is a part of the tradition and is kept alive by generations of women by their fascination towards the art from throughout the world.