Considering Henna for your Wedding?

The American culture is wonderful for recognizing the beauty in the traditions of various cultures.  We have long worked these diverse rituals into our own wedding practices, which leads to even more meaningful events for brides and grooms in the United States.

One of those customs that we have seen on a smaller scale is the use of henna tattooing.  If you haven’t hear of this tradition, or have not considered it for your own wedding day, you might want to read a little further.

In all actuality, the term henna refers to a plant.  The flower shrub is not large or overly impressive as it stands in nature, but the leaves can produce a very attractive dye, when they are dried and ground down into a fine powder.  That dye can then be used to alter the color of the hair or of clothing, but is most widely known for its use in temporary tattooing.

It is not known exactly when henna tattooing was first performed, but it is clear that it is an ancient act, possibly dating back as far as Cleopatra.   In Indian culture, the dye is used to creative decorative, symbolic designs on the hands and feet of a bride-to-be.  This is thought to bring the woman joy, beauty, and spiritual peace in her marriage.

The act of tattooing the hands and feet in this way is time consuming, and provides the bride an opportunity to fully appreciate the events that are to take place in her life, as the wedding day quickly approaches.

The beauty of the act is very apparent, and so too is the attractiveness of the designs created by henna artists.  An American bride may not be prepared to fully cover her hands and feet in the intricate patterns, but, even on a smaller scale, the temporary tattooing can be a beautiful symbol as she walks down the aisle to the person she will spend her life with.

Henna tattooing generally lasts just one to three weeks after being applied, so it must be done just shortly before the ceremony.  The artists that work in this medium can accomplish amazing masterpieces, which is why we believe it is a wedding tradition to consider.