Henna’s Translation into the U.S

Henna is known for its beauty and aesthetically pleasing designs. In the U.S, henna appeals to many because it acts as a temporary tattoo. Unlike tattoos, henna is a painless process that doesn’t have age restrictions. An appealing aspect of henna is that it fades with time, allowing people the freedom to get different designs and hold less regrets. Henna can also be seen as ‘exotic’ since it originated in India, which in term can make it ‘trendy’ since it’s less common than an average tattoo. Historically, the henna plant was gifted from Egypt to India but the origin of the plant still has it’s mysterious. The practice of Henna has been happening for over 5000 years across various continents such as Asia, Africa, and Europe. Henna started to become popular in the west but it peaked in the 90’s(Oberlender). After the henna trend got a jump start in the west, many celebrities like Gwen Stefani and Madonna have showed off their henna designs in movies and public outings. Henna has also become apart of wedding traditions, camouflage for scarring, and for aesthetics. It’s also very appealing because it resembles a real tattoo but doesn’t require long term commitment. Although henna was able to translate well into the fabric of the U.S due to its tattoo resemblance and it visual appeal, it meaning and initial significance was lost with the translation.

What most don’t know about henna is that the henna designs can represent passages of life and symbolize one’s journeys. The henna paste, which is made from the henna plant, is associated with positivity and good luck. Henna art as a whole is a lot more than just painting designs, as it can represent much larger meanings. For example, the placement of the henna on one’s body can hold special meanings and significance. Henna that is painted on the palms of the hands represents hand ready to receive and offer blessings. Henna that is placed on the top of the hands, or the fingertips can be used to represent protection. Certain henna designs also symbolize larger meanings. Many popular designs, such as peacocks, flowers, or the eye all point to a bigger picture. More specifically, bird henna patterns represent messengers to heaven. A common eye design reflect the evil eye, which turns off evil wishes back into its gazer and seeks protection(Significance). Although many may not have known, henna is more than just a form of body art, as its designs, placements, and overall purpose can dig much deeper. These symbols appeal to many in the U.S, who want life journeys, symbols, and experiences to be expressed through the art of henna.

While some may view the translation of henna from India to the U.S as smooth, others see it as distasteful and poorly done. Celebrities like Gwen Stefani and Madonna use henna to seem exotic, as they want to become part of the trend that was popular at the time. Its use in America shifts past cultural appreciation and instead becomes cultural appropriation. Cultural appropriation involves taking a cultural tradition or object without full permission and normalizing that tradition in a new culture without acknowledging its significance and meaning. Most of the henna wearers in America are unfamiliar about the background and meaning of henna itself. They use it for aesthetics and for its decorative aspects without fully understanding the significance of the process. “Without background knowledge on the custom and appreciation for only the aesthetics of henna, there is no credit delivered where it is due. The “trend” of henna thus leads to ignorance rather than potential to learn about and sincerely appreciate other cultures.”(Oberlender). Majority of henna wearers in the U.S wore henna as more of a trend and disregarded its past and its overall meaning.

Henna’s original meaning has been overlooked through the translation to the U.S, as very few henna wearers relic its deeper meaning. This translates to the larger idea that when cultural traditions or objects translate to other cultures and places, the original significance and meaning is lost. Oftentimes, the transition of a cultural object to a newer culture is seen as trendy and hip, leading many to use that object to stay in touch with what’s popular and disregard its cultural significance.