Decorative Henna has been applied for millennia. Literally. Some say it dates back 9000 years.
Nine. Thousand. Years.
To say it’s old is an understatement. It has roots in India, Pakistan, Africa and South East Asia. Immigration has brought henna and mehndi all over the world, and now we have it here, and some of it’s traditional intricacies have been lost.
Once upon a time, Henna was used almost exclusively in sacred celebration.
Probably the most well known celebration is the Hindu bridal celebrations. The Bridal Night consists of a huge party before the wedding ceremony where friends and family meets, eats, drinks, and is merry. Skits may be performed, and the bride-to-be’s hands and feet (sometimes up to knees and elbows) are adorned with intricate henna (or mehndi) designs. Some say that the darker the henna stain, the deeper the love the bride and groom share. Her friends and family may receive henna as well, usually smaller designs.
Henna is also used to celebrate Eid (the end of Ramadan), Diwali (the Hindu festival of lights), as a sign of ritual purity in some religions and cultures. Certain designs have specific meanings, depending on the culture. It can be used to ward off evil, to celebrate pregnancy, birthdays, naming ceremonies and many other cultural, spiritual and religious celebrations.
To many, henna has a deep cultural significance that we MUST honor.
In the west, Henna is often simple adornment. That isn’t to say feeling beautiful isn’t important, but that we can add a deeper context. Western henna is often a smaller design, or located somewhere other than the hands and feet. It might look like traditional henna from Africa, India the Middle East or South East Asia or it might have a different style entirely.
There are Dr Who henna styles out there.
I’ve done hearts, crosses, and even simple geometric symbols.
Originally, I wanted my henna style to be intentional. Specifically, the intention of healing (more on that later). I learned henna for massage therapists. I intended to incorporate the healing and intentional nature of henna into my massage.
I lost that intention. So for now, I leave the henna art to those who honor the deep and profound traditions.
Sources:
http://www.hennacaravan.com/facts.html
http://www.mtoni.com/mrembo/henna.pdf
http://www.hennapage.com/henna/encyclopedia/index.html
http://www.hennapage.com/henna/encyclopedia/geography/
http://hennaartconnection.com/history-of-henna