History of the Henna Tattoo

Temporary henna tattoos have become quite the rage in recent times. However, henna has been around for a long time and has been used by Indian and African women for its colouring and nourishing properties. In fact, the beginnings of the use of henna can be traced back thousands of years to ancient Egypt. It is only over the past decade or so that temporary tattoos have emerged as the hottest accessory in the West. The absence of chemicals and temporary colour are the main advantages of a henna tattoo.

Egyptian roots of the Henna Tattoo

The Henna plant traces its roots to Egypt, from where it was brought as a gift for the Queen Mumtaz in India. The Mughals then encouraged the usage of henna as a beauty product and a decorative application on the skin, especially at the time of weddings. The history of the henna tattoo dates back nearly 5,000 years, when the Egyptians used them on their hands, hair and nails. Even the fingers and toes of Pharaohs were stained with henna before mummification. Henna is also believed to be a symbol of good luck and is applied before any auspicious event in various countries, such as India, Turkey, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

Henna tattoo and its advantages

This tall shrub like plant grows in hot and humid climates and is generally found in Egypt, India, Africa and the Middle Eastern countries.