Henna Tattoos – The Original Temporary Tattoos
Henna tattoos have been considered an art form for the past five thousand years in the Middle East, Africa and India; although in India the art of receiving a henna tattoo is called Mendhi This ancient art form has now become the new temporary tattoo.It is believed that the henna plant originated in Egypt, and that it was called Egyptian Privet. Henna is believed to have been used by the Egyptians in their mummification process. This henna plant, also known as El-Henna, grows into a plant nineteen feet or six meters high with white or red flowers. The Egyptians then brought henna to India as a gift, adorning Queen Mumtaz with henna sometime in the 1600s. To this day, outside the Taj Mahal in India, built to honor Queen Mumtaz, artists adorn people with their henna art.
In Morocco, in a tradition still practiced today, tattoos of henna decorate the hands and feet of a bride to bring her good luck. It was thought that adding these henna designs to a bride brought her health, prosperity, and love, and that this temporary tattoos would also lead to a safer childbirth.
Until recent years, henna was only used here as a hair dye. Yet with tattoos becoming more and more popular, people have begun seeking to have tattoos made from henna because they are completely devoid of pain and are not as permanent as traditional tattoos.
Henna kits are sold for those adventurous types that want to do their own tattooing. With these, either henna paste or henna powder is mixed up by the user with hot water, eucalyptus oil, or lemon juice. The henna is applied in the desired tattoo design with a special applicator or bottle. The tattooed area needs to be left alone to dry for one to two hours, with the henna paste naturally flaking and falling off on its own. These tattoos made from henna should last for about two weeks.
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