Henna : More Than Just a Pretty Design?

Just as if temporary tattoos weren't enough, henna booths began flooding all sorts of festivals alike across the world in the last decade or so. It's almost as if once the stuff touches your skin, you need to get more — and let's be thankful it isn't permanent. I went through a similar phase last summer, when I was introduced to the stuff at a pride festival.

You can't deny that this is art

From what I understood back then, although henna was primarily a South-East Asian invention, it's popularity lead it to be commonly enjoyed throughout the world without a problem. Henna tattoos are made by crushing leaves of the henna plant (Lawsonia inermis) an making a paste, which then stains the skin in whatever pattern it is applied in. In fact, there is even a similar South American practice with the jagua plant (Genipia americana). Crushing up plant bits and making tattoos can't be all that special, right?

Westernized henna, used in non-Indian patterns as temporary tattoos

Here are two South American women with jagua tattoos

Well, let's say there's a little bit of controversy and disagreement on this subject. Despite how Westernized henna has become, it also has a long history of use on women during Hindu weddings. Also called mehendi, Hindu deities are even seen wearing it in some depictions, and it's used in various Hindu celebrations and fasts.

A beautiful Indian bride receives henna, as a traditional custom in Hindu weddings

Many may argue that even though henna is a symbolic Hindu practice, a religion born in India, henna was a practice in North Africa and the Middle-East before. This leaves an interesting question for many people : is henna on non-Hindu women considered offensive?

Personally, I'd say that henna has reached such a popularity worldwide that it has lost much of it's Hindu traditional meaning. As long as you don't try to replicate Indian/Hindu designs without knowing what they mean, I don't really see much of a problem, since henna had history long before it became a Hindu practice. To me, I see it as drinking wine ; even though wine is symbolically used in Christianity as the body of Christ, who's to tell you that you can't drink it for pleasure? Have any of my readers had an experience with henna, and what would you have to say about it?

Sources : "What Is the Historical and Religious Significance of Mehendi in Hinduism?" About.com Religion & Spirituality. Web. 20 Jan. 2016.
"Not Ready For A Tattoo? Try Jagua Gel Instead." XOVain. Web. 20 Jan. 2016