Take a look at the history of henna!
For centuries, people in the dry regions of the Middle East and Southern Asia have applied henna all over their hands and feet as a cooling agent.
Once people discovered henna left a stain on the skin, it was used as a decoration by both the wealthy and the poor. The poor used henna because it was cheap and they couldn’t afford expensive jewelry, and the wealthy used henna because it was a new and different “trend.”
Historians are not sure exactly where henna was first used, but the debate is between Ancient India, North Africa, the Middle East, and Egypt. Regardless of who first used it, henna is most widely known for originating and being popularized by India at bridal events and weddings.
Nowadays, henna is used for a number of purposes including; hair dye, a cooling agent, nail polish, and as a fun decoration during festivals. The henna plant also has natural healing properties that strengthen nails, hair roots, and the skin, and the bark is used to treat jaundice
During weddings, it’s an age-old tradition for the bride and other guests to decorate their hands, arms, and even feet in the bride’s case, with intricate and beautiful henna designs. The bride also applies henna before the wedding to calm her down, and because it brings luck, happiness, and joy. Brides also believe that the darker the henna stain, the more prosperous the marriage. Another fun tradition is that the brides ask their henna artist to hide their own and their spouse's initials in the design.
In the past and even now, Henna is used in a variety of ways from painting designs on hands to dying hair. Take a look at our portfolio to see the ways henna is used today.
