Henna Tattoos
There seems to be quite a bit of confusion about what Henna tattoos are. So, sit down for a minute and let me explain it to you. You see most people think that Henna tattoos refer to the style of the design, but that’s not actually the case. Though most Henna tattoos are done in a certain tribal style, the name actually refers to the ink that is used. The ink is from the Henna plant. Henna is a plant, or actually a shrub if you want to be specific, that is indigenous to parts of Australia and Africa.
Natives would often grind it down and make a paste out of it. They use this paste to stain tribal designs on their skin. Yes, you heard me right, I said stain and not tattoo. Henna tattoos are actually not permanent. They are really temporary tattoos that wear off naturally in about eight weeks. Though some people do get inked in the Henna tattoo style. But, these are not the true definition of the word. Most of these tattoos are done in brown ink rather then black because that’s the color of the Henna paste. So, now that you know a little bit about them, tell me, do you want one? |
Henna Tattoos
Here we have a group of three different people who had their hands, and from what I can see, their feet covered with henna tattoos. All done somewhat similar but all also a little bit different. They must have come across the local henna artists booth at the fairgrounds or at the beach or something and they must have spent a fair amount of time there for all of them to get so much work done. Because it sure looks like the got lots of drawing done on themselves. It must have cost a pretty good penny as well.
These are only temporary tattoos of course and actually are not tattoos at all, but just drawings put onto the skin with some tattoo looking type of ink. A lot of people use these henna tattoos to test the waters before getting a real tattoo but a great many people also use this simply as a way of having fun. A way of acting like they did something they didn’t really do. It’s been my experience that people with henna tattoos are usually never going to get a real tattoo. They are just not the right type of people. |
Henna Tattoo
This is a very elaborate and intricate design that I find fascinating. Now, a lot of people are familiar with regular tattoos but not many are familiar with the Henna tattoos depicted here. I really like the golden hue that this design has. I am also fond of the bead work that has been incorporated into the design. Now, since you may not be familiar with Henna tattoos, let me tell you a little about them.
Henna tattoos, otherwise known in the South East Asian regions as Mendhi, is a tradition used for temporary coloring of various designs on the skin – mainly on the hands and feet. Henna tattoos is another form of body art that has been in existence for centuries, using the mendhi plant leaf that is ground down and mixed into a paste. It differs from normal tattoo supplies, as it is a topical application on the skin usually using a cone, sticks or paintbrush. The result is a temporary orange to deep red dye on the skin. The dye lasts between a week and 6 weeks, depending on how potent the product is. That’s very different from normal tattoo ink which last for a lifetime!! |
Henna Tattoo
If you are thinking of getting inked, but not sure you are ready for the commitment then consider getting a Henna tattoo. Henna tattoos aren’t really tattoos at all but are more accurately described as staining, though some people do get the designs permanently inked into their skin. The ink used in henna tattoos are derived from a tall shrub named the henna plant. Much of the world’s henna supply comes from Egypt, Sudan and India, but it’s cultivated in some African and Middle Eastern countries as well. In Pakistan, the plant tends to be known as "Mendhi".
The plant is ground into powder and made into a paste that will temporarily stain the skin. Leaves are harvested from the plant just as the pink and cream-colored buds start to bloom. The flowers can be used for perfume, and the leaves are hung to dry. It’s important to keep them out of direct light. Allowing them to air dry in semi-darkness will preserve their skin-staining qualities. The art of henna tattoo application is typically practiced by females, or at least there is very little documentation that proves otherwise. Henna tattoos are traditionally applied to the hands, including the fingernails, and the feet for ceremonies and celebrations such as weddings and festivals, especially religious ceremonies. |
