Henna Tattoos Meaning and Secrets

Summary

4/5 - (1 vote)

In several Asian countries, particularly in Pakistan and India, brides-to-be celebrate the Mehndi tradition, which involves decorating their hands and feet with henna tattoos a few days before the wedding to attract good fortune to their marriage.

Henna is extracted from a plant (Lawsonia Inermis) that thrives in warm climates. The color of this dye varies in each country, for example, in India and Pakistan it is a reddish-brown color, while in Morocco it is almost black, due to the climate in each location.

These designs, in fact, replaced the expensive jewelry that families with limited resources could not afford, representing rings and bracelets.

The various designs each have a specific meaning, although in general they are all related to good luck, love, prosperity, happiness, fertility, and protection from evil spirits. Some of the most popular designs include the lotus flower, the scorpion, birds, waves, and eyes.

The True Meaning of Henna Tattoos

Among the first civilizations of humanity, women were the most important deities; goddesses represented the fertility of the earth and in agricultural communities, this was the only thing that transcended. One of these divinities was Anat, the warrior goddess of fertility of the Babylonians. During the myth that she starred with Baal, the bull god of rain, she decorated her body with a substance called henna.

Women, to honor this goddess, decorated their hands in order to come into contact with fertility during the celebrations dedicated to spring, but its use was not limited to ornamentation. This strange substance was a product of a bush called henna and had shown itself worthy of the gods: the plant was applied to scorpion stings to treat infections, cure diarrhea and to alleviate ailments caused by fungi. Later, among the Arabs, it was widely used to dye hair and beards.

During the 12th century, henna arrived in India and began to popularize itself among a sector of society that did not have the possibility of acquiring jewelry; for this reason, they adorned their bodies with painted rings and bracelets. The beauty of this art quickly spread to weddings and soon no bride could get married without having her hands decorated with henna.

In the present day, these henna tattoos have crossed borders and impacted the world. In the countries where they were born, they are still used in weddings, but in the rest of the world, their incredible beauty has made their meanings fall into oblivion.

Here we have what Edward W. Said called Orientalism, or the way in which the West creates an image —different from the real one — of the East. Eliminating all the prejudices and misconceptions that we have of distant lands is a very complicated process, but a good first step in this direction is to understand the origin of the art that fascinates us.

Popular Henna Tattoo Designs

The choice of a henna tattoo design is a personal decision that can reflect your personality, beliefs or even your current mood. Here are a variety of popular designs, each with its own charm and meaning:

Floral Designs

These designs are a tribute to nature and femininity, featuring flowers ranging from roses to lilies. Each floral pattern has its own meaning. For example, a rose might symbolize love, while a lily might represent purity. This type of design is ideal for people who appreciate natural beauty and want a tattoo that reflects delicacy and elegance.

Geometric Designs

If you value simplicity and structure, geometric designs are for you. These designs can range from simple patterns like circles and triangles to more complex designs featuring multiple interconnected shapes. In addition to their modern aesthetic, geometric designs can symbolize concepts like balance and harmony.

Animal Designs

Henna tattoos featuring animal designs are a powerful way to express personal characteristics or aspirations. An eagle might symbolize freedom, while an elephant might represent strength and wisdom. This type of design is perfect for animal lovers or those seeking inspiration from the qualities of certain creatures.

Tribal Designs

Tribal designs are bold and often contain deep cultural meanings. These tattoos are ideal for those with a strong sense of community or cultural identity, or simply those who appreciate tribal art for its unique aesthetic and significance.

Mandala Designs

Mandalas are intricate circular designs often used in spiritual practices like meditation. These designs are ideal for people seeking something more than just a visually appealing tattoo; they want a design that also serves as a focal point for relaxation and introspection.

Are Henna Tattoos Safe?

Sometimes we want to be “trendy” and say, “Oh, a henna tattoo is temporary, what’s the harm?” But the truth is that not all bodies are the same, and not everyone reacts the same way. In fact, henna tattoos can be a painful and unpleasant experience, especially if you have an allergic reaction.

A case in point is Madison Gulliver, a 7-year-old Australian girl who got a henna tattoo while traveling with her parents in Egypt. She had a severe allergic reaction to the sun, which left her with severe burns that scarred her skin for life.

As a result, some pediatric associations have warned about the dangers of black henna tattoos in children, as it is not a natural product.

Natural henna is a plant native to certain regions of Africa, Asia, and Australia, and its scientific name is Lawsonia inermis. It has been used for centuries to decorate the skin, but today there is an artificial version that can harm some people. This artificial version contains paraphenylenediamine (PPD), a sensitizer that can cause a range of problems, especially in children.

About Author

Jade Blunt | Tattoo Gun Machinehttps://t.me/s/tattoogunmachine

Hello everyone! My name is Jade Blunt, and I'm a passionate tattoo enthusiast. Let me share a bit about my life and my journey in the world of ink and skin.

Ever since I was a child, I've been drawn to art and creativity in all its forms. However, it was when I turned 18 that I discovered my true passion: tattoos. I remember my first tattoo, a small design on my wrist that marked the beginning of an adventure that would change my life forever.

As my love for tattoos grew, so did my desire to learn more about this fascinating art. I started researching, talking to talented tattoo artists, and immersing myself in the history and culture of tattoos. Every tattoo tells a story, and I wanted to be a part of that narrative.

Over time, I decided to share my passion with the world through my blog, "Tattoo Gun Machine." In this space, I strive to provide valuable information about tattoos, from tips for tattooed skin care to stories of innovative tattoo artists and inspiring designs. My goal is to educate and inspire those who share my love for tattoos, as well as to demystify some of the stigmas surrounding this art form.

My blog has become a corner of the web where the tattoo-loving community can connect, share ideas, and explore new trends. I've also had the privilege of interviewing some of the most talented tattoo artists in the world, who share their unique experiences and knowledge within my pages.

But my journey in the world of tattoos doesn't stop here. I'm always on the lookout for new inspiration and challenges. I dream of one day opening my own tattoo studio, where I can bring my own designs to life and continue contributing to this form of artistic expression.

So, if you share my passion for tattoos or are simply interested in learning more about this exciting world, I invite you to join me on my journey at "Tattoo Gun Machine." Together, we can explore the art, culture, and beauty of tattoos as we continue to ink our stories onto the canvas of life. I'll see you on my blog!