Henna by Shaima: The Significance of Henna Body Art

Just as permanent tattoos often carry strong significance to their bearers, henna art represents something deeper than just a pretty design. As one of the most skilled tattoo artists in NYC, Shaima from Henna by Shaima understand this significance and the role that henna art plays in cultural tradition. As such, she embraces the history of the art form in every one of her designs.

Henna tattoos are produced using the Henna plant, a Persian name for a shrub known as Lawsonia inermis. Henna is often found in warmer climates, typically in the central and western regions of Asia, and along the Mediterranean coast of Africa, the ethnic and cultural groups in these regions have long embraced the plant to create henna art. While the henna plant has been used for a variety for medical and industrial purpose, its dye is commonly used for art and tattooing.

Henna tattoos have been dated as far back as the Bronze Age, the period between the Stone Age and the Iron Age, and are rumored to have been used by figures like Cleopatra and Nefertiti, Prophet Muhammed's daughter Fatima, and Mumtaz Mahal, who inspired the Taj Mahal.

The dye is still used today for beautification purposes and has been established as a gathering tradition in Hindu and Muslim cultures. Tattoos are drawn on the hands and feet of brides during weddings, and on the bodies of women marking birthdays, pregnancy, naming ceremonies, bar mitzvahs, Diwali, Ramadan and numerous other religious occasions. In these instances, designs represent the beauty of women and can signify a woman's passage into womanhood.

Henna by Shaima will bring the tradition of Henna temporary tattoos and body art to any occasion, as Shaima carries on the tradition of beautiful and significant henna art.