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Posted by Anne Beltestad on September 24, 2001 at 15:31:07:

In reply to: Why henna? posted by Evan on September 24, 2001 at 07:46:51:

: I was curious why everyone chooses to use henna, as opposed to a
: traditional tattoo, besides the obvious fact that it is temporary.

I "use" both; I have two rather large tattoos, don't want any more,
and love henna for what it is. Henna is not a fake tattoo, and it is
just as "traditional" (9000 years' worth of tradition) if not more so.
Here's my two cents about what these two very different body arts
mean to me:

Tattooing represents something you'll have "forever". Henna, like
life, is transitory, ever-changing - "the only constant is change"
Tattooing appeals to a macho sort of mindset - "Look how hardcore I
am; I can take the pain of this!" Henna appeals to a desire to touch
each other in a non-threatening manner. Like hugs, henna is healing
and gentle and a gift from one to the other.
Tattoos work best on the limbs and torso. Henna works best on the
hands and feet. Where tattoos take well, henna does not stain well,
and where henna stains best, tattooing takes very poorly.
Both arts link me to my ancestors.
Henna highlights my love for filigreed, delicate, interconnected
designs (I used to draw on my hands as a teenager, before I knew what
henna was). My tattoos represent my ethnic background and my passion
for cycling (I have the classic bike messenger tattoo on my calf)
Calling henna a "temporary tattoo" misrepresents what henna is, and
leads to adulteration of henna (or replacement of it) with toxic
chemicals such as PPD "black henna" that cause lots of health
problems. I don't call my tattoos "mehndi", and I don't call henna
designs "tattoos".
Hope that helps answer your questions, and welcome to the world of
henna!

Anne Beltestad
Gilded Lilies East
NYC

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: : I was curious why everyone chooses to use henna, as opposed to a : : traditional tattoo, besides the obvious fact that it is temporary. : : I "use" both; I have two rather large tattoos, don't want any more, : and love henna for what it is. Henna is not a fake tattoo, and it is : just as "traditional" (9000 years' worth of tradition) if not more so. : Here's my two cents about what these two very different body arts : mean to me: : : Tattooing represents something you'll have "forever". Henna, like : life, is transitory, ever-changing - "the only constant is change" : Tattooing appeals to a macho sort of mindset - "Look how hardcore I : am; I can take the pain of this!" Henna appeals to a desire to touch : each other in a non-threatening manner. Like hugs, henna is healing : and gentle and a gift from one to the other. : Tattoos work best on the limbs and torso. Henna works best on the : hands and feet. Where tattoos take well, henna does not stain well, : and where henna stains best, tattooing takes very poorly. : Both arts link me to my ancestors. : Henna highlights my love for filigreed, delicate, interconnected : designs (I used to draw on my hands as a teenager, before I knew what : henna was). My tattoos represent my ethnic background and my passion : for cycling (I have the classic bike messenger tattoo on my calf) : Calling henna a "temporary tattoo" misrepresents what henna is, and : leads to adulteration of henna (or replacement of it) with toxic : chemicals such as PPD "black henna" that cause lots of health : problems. I don't call my tattoos "mehndi", and I don't call henna : designs "tattoos". : Hope that helps answer your questions, and welcome to the world of : henna! : : Anne Beltestad : Gilded Lilies East : NYC
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