Henna tattooing is a temporary form of tattooing. Called Mendhi, it is a traditional form of body art in India, North Africa and the middle East. The hands, feet and other parts of the body are painted with a mud paste made from the henna plant (Lawsonia Inermis). The paste is traced onto the body in delicate patterns and left on to dry. It dyes the skin underneath lasting between 1 to 4 weeks. Mendhi is often used in religious rites and body decorations.
Henna has been known not only for its cosmetic use but also for its medicinal qualities. Some believe henna effectively treats certain types of cancer, muscle contractions, fungal infections, headaches, and has general antiseptic purposes. Aside from dying the skin, henna is also used to dye the hair.
Mendhi is used as part of the celebration in cultural ceremonies such as weddings and Islamic holidays of Eid. August is a holy month in India. The people fast, and the women and girls do Mendhi paintings on one another. The designs can take many hours to complete, and the painting itself is a form of meditation. Mendhi is applied for major celebrations such as the Hindu new year (Diwale), as well as before weddings. In India, the new bride is decorated with the body paintings and is exempt from housework until they fade. Traditionally only women wear Mendhi but at some very auspicious occasions young boys are also permitted to wear it. Mendhi designs are considered good luck. The belief is that the designs bring good luck, and the longer the designs last, the longer the luck will last.
In early Egypt Mendhi was used to stain the toes and fingers of the Pharohs proir to mummification. The use of Mendhi was taken to India by the Moghuls in the 12th century A.D. The Mendhi designs mirror the designs found in textiles, carpets, and carvings. Arabic patterns are traditionally large, floral patterns placed on the hands and feet, while the Indian patterns are traditionally fine line floral and paisley patterns covering entire hands and feet. The Sudanese traditionally used large, bold floral patterns with geometric angles, usually created in black.
For the modern Magickal community, henna art can be directly tailored to the rite and the individual. This can be used to augment healing rites where the design might be painted directly on the area meant to be healed, or to remove a bad habit, a healing spell could be cast to make the habit fade with the henna tattoo.
Basic Henna Recipe
- 1/8 c powdered henna
- 1/8 c very hot water (not boiling)
- 4-6 drops amber oil or other fragrant but not irritating essential oil (clove oil can help darken the design but some are sensitive)
It is best to boil the water, then add the lemon juice. Once the water has cooled some, mix the henna powder in. Mix the henna, water, and oil until you have a paste the consistency of icing. Set it aside for a least one hour, stirring occasionally. On cold days, wait slightly longer until an orangish liquid appears against the dark green paste.
Before using the henna, first cleanse the skin and then rub it with oil. (Use Henna oil if you can find it or a small amount of room temperature coconut or virgin olive oil if you cannot.)
The mixture should be a paste thick enough to remain where it is put and not dribble all over the place. It can be applied in a number of ways. By far the easiest and cleanest way is to put it in a tube with a thin tip, however the henna mixture may be put in any thing from which it can be squeezed in a thin line. You may place the henna in a baggie. Snip a small hole in the corner and slowly squeeze the henna out on the skin in the design that you have chosen, making sure that the paste stays in contact with the skin with no bridging or gaps. Traditionally the henna mixture was left in a bowl and put on the skin using either a finger for less intricate patters or a thin piece of wood for more detailed designs.
Let the pattern dry thoroughly (20 min. or so), then dab a mixture of one part lemon juice, one part sugar, and one part water over the design. Let dry again, and then repeat the dabbing process. The citric acid helps the dye absorb into the skin and the sugar coats the mud and stops it from flaking off. The dried henna should be left on the skin for at least two hours. Ideally the design should be wrapped with gauze bandages and left for twenty-four hours. The longer the henna paste is in contact with the skin, the darker the design will be. Old henna loses its potency.
You should avoid washing the area for up to 12 hours. The design can last from one to four weeks depending on how long the mud was left on initially and how often the area is washed. During the first week the design can range in color from dark orange to dark brown. Not only does the color difference rely on how long the mud was left on but also the natural color of the skin. Lighter skin tends to appear more orange than brown. As the design begins to fade the color will gradually lighten.
Mendhi and Henna Resource and symbol sites
http://www.hennamehndi.com/magicsymbols.htm
http://reverndbunny.sphosting.com/howmix.htm
http://www.naturalexpressions.org/paperstencils.html
http://www.mehndiskinart.com
http://www.hennahante.com