A henna tattoo is not just a meaningless pattern on your body; these are deep, sacred symbols that carry great meaning. Such tattoos are rooted far back in the ancient centuries, and each curl and symbol bears deep meaning.
In this article, we will show you unique and beautiful designs and tell you about the features of henna in each culture. And of course, you’ll get a dose of inspiration for your future tattoos.
What Is Henna Tattoo?
Well, let’s figure out what kind of tattoos they are and what are their features.
A henna tattoo is a temporary tattoo that lasts on your body from one to two weeks (this time can vary depending on the care and characteristics of the skin). Henna is a paste, which is obtained from the leaves of the plant Lawsonia. It grows in regions of South Asia.
The henna tattoo has a great fame in places like India, Tibet, and the Middle East. It is used to decorate different parts of the body such as legs, arms, and back at weddings and celebrations.
The Meaning Of Henna Tattoos In Different Cultures
In every culture, henna tattoos have special meanings and symbolism. Let’s explore this in more detail.
- Indian culture. Such a tattoo is also known as “mehendi” and plays a very important role in weddings and celebrations. It is a symbol of prosperity, wealth, and love. The distinctive sign of such designs is intricate and beautiful patterns that are applied to the arms, legs, and sometimes the face.
- Arab culture. Such a tattoo is often applied to the hands and feet of girls to show their freedom, elegance, and femininity. It can also be a talisman against evil spirits and curses.
- African culture. Usually, such a tattoo has a religious meaning. Often it is used in rituals, ceremonies, and magical cults to communicate with the dead world and to get advice or help. Also, with the help of henna tattoos, a person expresses his belonging to a certain tribe.
- Co-temporal culture. Nowadays, such a tattoo is an alternative to permanent sketches. Because henna washes off in one to three weeks, you can safely experiment with the design of patterns and constantly change the image. This tattoo is often drawn before festivals, and concerts.
The Process Of Creating A Henna Tattoo
The process of applying a henna tattoo is completely different from the usual tattooing session. By the way, you can easily make such a tattoo at home. Let’s take a step-by-step look at how it happens.
Step 1. Make ready the paste
Before drawing, it is very important to mix the henna correctly. Dry powder blended with water, and essential oils (to enhance the color). The paste should have the consistency of a thick dough and be homogeneous.
Step 2. Prepare the skin
Before you can draw a pattern with the prepared paste, you need to thoroughly wash and dry the selected area of the skin. It will prolong the life of your henna tattoo.
Step 3. Drawing
There are many ways to apply a henna tattoo. Let’s consider the most popular:
⚪️ A cone filled with henna paste is used to create fine and thin lines. The master controls the flow of the paste by means of a small hole in the cone, thus drawing the desired pattern on the skin.
? Syringes with or without a fine needle are also a great option for creating neat and detailed sketches. The artist puts the henna paste in the syringe and applies it to the skin by pressing the plunger. This method is more modern and convenient.
Step 4. Drying the tattoo
After applying henna to the skin, give it time to rest. Usually, 15–30 minutes is recommended. You should understand that when drying, the paste begins to oxidize and change color to orange. It will come back to normal within 24–48 hours.
Henna Tattoo Ideas
The choice of style for a henna tattoo depends solely on your personal preferences and desires. We will tell and show you the most popular styles so that later it will be easier for you to choose a design.
- Ethnic style. It is one of the most popular and common options. It contains intricate patterns and geometry, natural motifs, and religious references.
- Floral style. It is very popular among the female sex. It is used with the image of twigs, various flowers, and branches.
- Mandala style. Most often these are circular patterns that are associated with meditation, balance, and spiritual enlightenment. Usually, such tattoos are quite large and performed with the addition of complex elements.
- Clear geometric style. It includes lines, triangles, squares and stands out for its symmetry. Most often, men get tattoos in this style.
Well, here we come to the fun part, let’s look at the catalog of works that we have prepared for you.
Hand Designs
Such tattoos most often refer to religious symbols. They represent mandalas and symbols related to spiritual enlightenment.
Henna tattoos go back thousands of years. Ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Hindus, Persians made such drawings on their bodies to ward off evil spirits, to show belonging to a certain clan. Historians say that the first mention of henna tattoos was in Egypt about five thousand years ago.
There are thousands of interesting henna tattoo designs, we have chosen the coolest and most unusual ones.
On The Stomach
Such tattoos look very unusual and beautiful. This place is ideal for users who do not want or for personal reasons can not make a tattoo in a more visible place.
Another meaning of the henna tattoo on the abdomen is protection. In Buddhism, the abdomen is the center of energy and power. Drawing on this place will only reinforce the energy center and give strength.
Let’s take a closer look at the options we have selected for you.
On The Leg
Such a tattoo on the leg is most often a symbol of resilience, unbreakable. Some athletes apply them a few weeks before a competition to be confident in their strengths.
Also, sometimes a henna tattoo on the leg can mean freedom and independence. It can reflect a desire to get rid of the shackles of judgment and imposed opinions.
Colorful Henna Tattoos
Such tattoos are perfect for users who are tired of conventional designs. Here you can let your imagination run wild and choose any color for the henna.
However, it is very important to choose a good tattoo artist that can bring any idea you have to life and do it with the highest quality.
Well, let’s move on to the tattoo ideas that we have long collected for you.
Simple Henna Tattoos
Such tattoos are ideal for users who do not want a large and too visible design. You can draw any small henna design and have it on your body for a short time.
Designs For Men
Henna tattoos are genderless because of the wide range of meanings and the ability to get a customized design.
Let’s take a closer look at what sketches we have prepared for you.
Designs for Women
Women often do a henna tattoo to decorate their bodies and give them femininity.
Such tattoos will perfectly complement any image. Some girls draw such sketches on their bodies to protect them from evil spirits.
Let’s see in detail what are the options for such tattoos.
How To Properly Care for A Henna Tattoo?
The care of a henna tattoo is different from conventional needle-based tattoos. You have to take all the subtleties and nuances so that the design lasts as long as possible. Let’s take a closer look at what needs to be done.
- Avoid contact with water for the first 24 hours. This will allow the henna pigment to penetrate deeper into the skin and better adhere to it.
- Do not touch the tattoo for the first 12 hours. Avoid all rubbing, and do not use a towel on the area. Any extra touch can smudge the tattoo, remove the pigment and make it less clear.
- Do not use oil-based creams. They prevent the pigment from adhering to the skin and stop the paint from oxidizing.
- Remove the dead layer. The henna dye dries out and begins to oxidize, causing a layer of stain that begins to fall off. It must be carefully removed with a napkin.
- Avoid direct sunlight. Ultraviolet light destroys the henna pigment, which makes the paint wash off faster.
Summary
In conclusion, we want to say that henna tattoos are a great alternative to permanent sketches. They have a deep meaning, charge with energy.
However, it is important to remember that before the application, you need to find a tattoo master who can perform his work well and qualitatively. By following the recommendations for the care, henna tattoos will stay longer.
We have selected many sketches and designs for you to decide and make the most suitable for you in style and meaning henna tattoo.
FAQ
⏰ How Long Do Henna Tattoos Last?
Usually, henna tattoos last from 1 week to 3 weeks. It all depends on a quality artist and the proper care of the tattoo.
?♀️ Can You Swim With a Henna Tattoo?
It is not recommended to swim and get the henna tattoo wet during the first 24–48 hours because the henna is still poorly adhered to the skin and can wash off.
❌ What Is the Risk of Henna Tattoos?
Henna can cause an allergic reaction to your skin. You can also get a skin infection if you apply the dye incorrectly. Therefore, it is very important to find a good and proven tattoo artist, who will execute your design in a neat and streamlined manner.
? Are Henna Tattoos Healthy?
Henna tattoo is made from natural ingredients, so it is not harmful to health. It is important to follow the rules of care for the tattoo after the session and follow the recommendations of the artist. Some users may be allergic to henna, so it is important to first apply a small amount of paste on the skin and check for redness and itching.
