Henna Tattoo Design Renaissance
The tattoo design has certainly come a long way since the first human marked his or her body for a ritual. Many of the early markings were to distinguish between clans or tribes but have since evolved into a pop cultural phenomenon. Soccer mom’s sporting tattoos on their ankles and teenagers eagerly marking their body to show their transcendence from childhood into adulthood.
Henna tattooing is the perfect substitution and is nothing like the “lick and stick” tattoo art found in vending machines. Most associations with henna tattoo’s are from those found on Indian brides. The soon to be married girl would be brought into a room where her family and friends would begin designing her temporary tattoo.
A great surprise though, Is the tattoo design most often found on Yakuza members is that of beautiful scenes with elaborate details. The method used though is less than beautiful. Yakuza members, as a way to test their resolve and strength, do not get tattooed with a tattoo machine. It is a hand held instrument that is not without pain. The images are not just a back tattoo either. From collar to ankle they span the entire body.
Whereas in many cultures tattooing was solely reserved for warriors, the Egyptians practiced the art tattoo for women in service to the Gods and Goddesses. This spirituality is one of the more common reasons for tattooing. They believed that by paying homage with the body, it assured the wearer a more devoted retribution from their chosen deity and a greater chance for a rewarding afterlife.
There are tattoo studios that do offer permanent designs that resemble the henna tattoo. Depending on the skill and craftsmanship of your tattoo artist having a permanent Henna tattoo can be just what your looking for. These tattoos are put into place with the typical tattoo machines but use a red dye that will remain permanent.
A note of caution concerning henna is the use of a product labeled as “black henna” or an indigo. Natural henna does not come in dark shades. The dark colors are actually made by combining henna with a chemical. There can be very harsh side effects such as skin blistering. As with any product, even a natural one such as henna, there can be allergic reactions.
Tattoos have been and will continue to be a means of expression. From the dragon tattoo to the star tattoo, it is a way for people to communicate with the outside world without saying a word. The tattoo design that is chosen is entirely, well at least most of the time, up to the person who wants to mark their body. It is their way of letting the world knows what they stand for, love or hate.
It is not uncommon for people to turn to the art tattoo artist to leave a work of beauty etched permanently onto their skin. Such television shows as TLC’s Miami Ink show incredible works of art being tattooed. The human skin becomes the canvas for memorials of fallen loved ones or pictures of children and art work that have a lasting mark through the tattoo design on the person.