Henna Tattoos

Henna Tattoos - Henna, which is also known as mendhi, is a tall plant that prospers in hot, dry climates; it is most commonly found in India, Egypt, Sudan, and other countries located in either North Africa or the Middle East. The leaves of this shrub-like plant are ground into powder, which is then made into a paste. This paste is used to make henna tattoos.

The henna paste leaves an orange-brown stain when it is applied to the skin, thus resulting in the tattoo-like effect. The tattoos are not permanent; they fade in about six weeks, or perhaps less. Also, the process is pain free—no needles!

Henna History
Indian women used to apply henna to their skin every day, except for widows, who would not wear the body art as a sign of mourning. Special henna designs would adorn the body on certain holidays and celebrations. For example, brides commonly wore henna because it was seen as a symbol of joy and life.

Today, many Indian and Middle Eastern cultures still use henna tattoos in their celebrations. However, henna has spread to Europe and the United States as an alternative to tattoos. Most commonly seen along beach boardwalks, there are now shops that will do the body art, for a price.

The alternative to having a henna tattoo professionally done is doing one yourself. You can obtain the materials to make henna paste and draw the design from an Indian Market or Indian Warehouse. You can even purchase a book full of traditional henna designs.[ad#ads-good]

However, if you prefer to design your own henna tattoo, feel free to do so. It is common now to see small roses or butterflies in the form of henna art. The options when it comes to henna tattoos are unlimited, because it is gone in six weeks!

A Longstanding Tradition
Henna is an ancient art that has withstood the test of time and spread among many different cultures. Perhaps it is the history behind it that makes it so appealing; or, maybe people simply don’t like to consider the alternative option.

skull tattoos

Skull Tattoos were typically only gotten by "those people" you know the ones I am talking about right! Those tough looking gangster guys that have spent time in prison. Or maybe those Gothic guys that have some kind of strange and morbid obsession with death right? Well, the world is changing and what was once shocking, unknowing and scary has today become more and more mainstream. Skull tattoos, Gothic culture and other things that were once very menacing and scary are today very normal and part of our daily life.

Today Skulls as a design motif are becoming more and more popular everywhere. You now see skulls on the latest fashion trends of kids, in skateboards, on surfboards and just about everything else you could think of. Skulls have become part of our mainstream culture and are part of the art of today. However, this does not mean that the world is all at one time becoming more morbidly fascinated with death or dying. There are many other associations with skull other then just death. For example think about the symbols of skulls and sugar skeletons from Mexico as they celebrate the “Day Of The Dead”. Today skulls are starting to also be associated with life in a way. If a skull represents death then it can also be a reminder to us that life is short and to live each day to it’s fullest a sort of symbolic “Carpe Diem”.
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Now there are still those of course that get skull tattoo just to look tough and menacing but the number has definitely changed in the last few years. Those that want to look thought and menacing get tattoos like the Grim Reaper. The Grim Reaper is an depiction or a figure of death the one who comes and gets you at the end of your time. He wears black robes and has no face but carries a big farming sickle.

What Are Sugar Skull Tattoos

In Mexico when they celebrate the Day Of The Dead they will often make a ton of beautiful pieces of art and sculpture all features skulls and skeletons. Some of these sculptures are edible like the Sugar Skulls. These are skulls made from sugar and then they are painting with food coloring in bright and beautiful colors. They will often have flowers for eyes and some other beautifully colored designs about them. These are seen as a way to morn the dead that have past but also celebrate life and the beauty of their own life and the beauty of the life of the person who has passed on.

So you might want to give that skull tattoo a second look. Sure it might be menacing or scary at first but it is becoming more and more common and it seems people are starting to embrace the idea of skulls in the popular media, fashion and tattooing trends.