Henna Temporary Tattoos

For more than 5000 years, the people of India, Africa and Middle East have practiced the mysterious and beautiful art of painting on the body by making use of the henna plant. This art form is basically called as henna art and sometimes is also referred to as Mehndi, in India.

The henna plant is believed to come from Egypt where it was called as Egyptian Privet. Later on henna was brought to India in the form of state gift from the Egyptians. Queen Mumtaz who ruled in the 1600s was the first Queen of India to be decorated by henna. Nowadays, it is quite common to find artists doing their henna crafts outside the Taj Mahal, which was built in honor to Queen Mumtaz. Outlines of henna have been found on Mummies from 1200 BC. It is also known that the hands and feet of Pharaoh were first dipped in henna before mummification.

Traditionally, Mehndi and henna art form is a significant part of wedding ceremonies. The feet and hands of the bride are decorated by professional artists of henna, called as Naqashas or Hannayas in Morocco. The beautiful and intricate designs cover her feet and hands in a lacy manner.

It is common faith that henna brings out good luck. Ornamenting the hands and feet of bride with henna is thought to bring health, love, safety in childbirth, prosperity, assure happiness in death and protects from harmful spirits as well.

Henna tattooing is the newest trend which arrived from the East.  It has gained immense popularity in last few years in the city of New York, and is quickly becoming the most sought after, charming creations of beauty in North America.

Henna tattoos usually fell into four unique styles. The Middle Eastern styles mostly consisted of floral patterns which were inspired by Arabic painting, carvings and textiles. This formal style did not generally follow a specific pattern. The North American style emphasized the shape of the hands and feet making use of geometric floral patterns.

Many celebrities have been proud to show off their henna tattoos in public, in music videos and on the big screen.

It is now being used for creating beautiful tribal art tattoos, more often in cases where people want a permanent tattoo but are not sure if it would suit. The beauty of a henna tattoo done by using a henna pen is that it will be faded in ten days if you decide it is not for you.

It is also considered as good for keeping kids quiet when they think that they can have what daddy or mummy have got.