The History of Henna Tattoos
Using henna to create temporary designs on the body dates back to the Bronze Age. It has been used to dye skin, hair, fingernails and textiles. The dye comes from the henna plant which is indigenous to the tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, southern Asia and northern Australia.
It is a tall shrub with elliptical leaves, flowers and a small brownish fruit. The dye used to mark the skin is made from fresh ground leaves or dried powder. Henna body art can last on the skin for a few days up to a month depending on the quality of the dye and the duration of the dye’s contact with the skin.
Some of the oldest recorded uses of henna to decorate the skin involved marriage and fertility celebrations. Women would paint themselves with the henna to present themselves to their new husbands on their wedding night. Henna tattoos have also been used to mark battle victories, births and birthdays.
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