The above picture depicts the ancient art of Henna. This is an example of not how Great Britain influenced India through its colonization of the country, but, how India’s sphere of influence reached out to Great Britain.1 Henna is well known as a temporary tattoo solution, a creative way to express oneself without having to worry about regretting the decision in the future. Henna is a plant, also known as mendhi, which grows well in very hot, dehydrated climates.1 India is a country known to have great heat and has a consistently dry climate, so this is an ideal place for the henna plant to grow. After being harvested, the plant is ground up and eventually made into a paste that, when in contact with the skin, becomes an orange shade that fades to reddish-brown.1 The beautiful, temporary designs that are quite popular in Great Britain, among other countries, were introduced by Muslims and spread quickly during the 16th century by the Moguls.1 In many Middle Eastern cultures, henna is part of an all day pre-wedding ceremony in which the bride becomes accustomed to her new husband’s family and she is adorned, by the hands and feet, with henna.1 This is a very celebratory time for the bride and the involved families considered by the culture to be very passionate, sensory experience.2 & 3 Henna tattoos are generally placed into four techniques, that of the Middle Eastern, North American, Indonesian, and Southeast Asian techniques.1 Although the more worldly known version of Henna uses fairly small tattoos and less intricate designs, the Indian designs tend to become highly intricate taking anywhere from several hours to multiple days to complete. The designs tend to extend beyond the hands and feet and this extension is made to have the appearance of stockings and gloves.4 As previously mentioned, henna was spread through India and eventually on to Europe by the Moguls; however, its popularity today, in countries including Great Britain, can be attributed to its painlessness and, if the decision is reached that the design is not found desirable, it will eventually fade away into nonexistence. Henna, when pursued for a more recreational desire, can be placed just about anywhere and allows its wearers to bring hands out of pockets and to proudly signify anything on a temporary basis.4 Even though henna tatoos are sufficient on a temporary basis, they are a beautiful, ancient way for the peoples of Arab/Middle Eastern countries to signify what is important to them. The spread of this art is becoming readily available in countries outside of that which it originated from and is a way for people to learn from, relate to, and become influenced by a country different than their own.4
1. Carrie May Ponniewaz, Henna History, (http://www.nazdorovya.com/henna_history.htm, 2002).
2. Carolyn Mordecai, You are cordially invited to Weddings: Datings & Love Customs of Cultures Worldwide, Including Royalty (Phoenix: Nittany Publishers, 1999) p. 24.
3. George P. Monger, Marriage Customs of the World: From Henna to Honeymoons (Denver: ABC-CLIO Inc., 2004) p. 12.
4. Monique P. Yazigi, A Henna Party (Don’t Rinse) (New York: New York Times, 1996)
