The henna plant (lawsonia inermis) contains medicinal properties that are said to cool the body. For 5,000 years, henna has been an integral component of marking celebrations in ancient cultures. It is said that the elaborate markings of henna began in the African deserts. The medicinal plant was crushed into a paste and applied to the entire foot and hands to keep body temperature low. Tired of having bright red palms, the women would place one large dot in the center of the palms (providing the same effect) but offering a more attractive appearance.
In Moroccan villages, henna was historically applied to provide “Baraka,” a barrier which guarded from “the Evil Eye,” which was believed to bring misfortune to the village. In Africa, the Middle East and South East Asia, henna has many purposes stemming from ritual, religion and preservation of tradition.
Current Uses
One of the most famous practices still occurs in Morocco. The “Night of Henna,” is a familial ceremony to prepare the bride for consummation. It is intended to offer the bride the womanly wisdom of both her mother, and her husband’s mother. The ceremony marks the transition of daughter in her father’s house, to wife in her husband’s house.
Depicted in ancient art, you will see henna decoration on queens and goddesses as well as depicted celebrations and ceremonies such as animal sacrifice, circumcision, and marriage. Henna has been used for thousands of years to tell thousands of stories.
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