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9000 BCE
The First Documentation of Henna
It was first first documented over 9000 years ago. Henna was not originally used for artistic expression, it was used as a cooling magnesium for people in the desert. They would take this natural paste and soak their feet and their hands in it. -
3400 BCE
Henna in Egypt
Bodies were found with henna dyed hair to cover their grey hair. This is a different artistic way of using henna, in attempt to beautify themselves. -
3000 BCE
Being Practiced
Henna has been practiced for over 5000 years in Pakistan, India, Africa and the Middle East. -
1300 BCE
Writing With Henna
There was a tablet found in Ugaritic cuneiform with inscriptions written on it in henna regarding an old myth about war between the God of death and the god of life and fertility. I see this as more of a spiritual form of henna, being something that people believed. -
300 BCE
Henna as a Perfume
Henna was something that was considered a good sent as the leaves were crushed up and made into this artistic henna form. Later in 61 CE it wasn't used for a perfume casually but it was used on someone for the afterlife. -
100
Medicine
The crushed up leaves of henna were found to be more helpful than for just dying hair, it was found that when it was put on the affected area the henna was able to treat blisters and inflation's. -
200
Agricultural
It was found that henna was different in different places in the world as some places had more green in it and some places had more oils in it. In Israel, it became an agricultural part of the land for 'tithing'. -
1000
Trading Henna
Henna is being traded in the Mediterranean, North Africa, and southern Spain and this makes henna become more of a global product than in specific cultures, even though now it is still being more so for these reasons rather than casual. -
1200
Indian Culture
Henna design on the body is most common in the Indian culture at this, mostly for the upper class. Starting with small symbols and designs, however it began to become more popular and all classes of people would use it and the designs became larger and more complex. -
1500
Why Henna for Hair Dye?
Henna was more common to dye your hair with because it was made with natural ingredients and allow the hair colour change to look more natural. It also had a lack of chemicals that may damage your natural hair. -
Period: 1558 to
Elizabethan Era
During this time henna for hair dye was more common. As Queen Elizabeth had red hair, after she pass away they dyed her hair with henna back to red in attempt to keep her looking young. Henna was a temporary way to dye someones hair that would cause it to become lighter or darker. This shows great artist value as even changing your hair colour is a way to express yourself and your culture. In this time you may have dyed your hair to be like Elizabeth. -
Weddings
Henna has become very popular for weddings in India specifically but also in Africa, Partisan, and the middle east. The bride's family and friends would have a get together or a party, similar to a bachelorette party. There would be games and everyone would be having a good time. Then, the bride would have henna done with intricate designs on the front and backs of their hands extending to their elbows and on their feet up to their knees. -
Weddings continued
This takes much time and many henna artists. There are many reasons brides have this done. It is said that the darker the henna is the stronger the relationship with the groom and the better the mother-in-law will be, this leads to some brides getting their henna done earlier because the longer they keep it on the darker it will appear. This tradition is commonly known for after the wedding, as long as the henna stays on for is the amount of time the bride doesn't have to do house work for. -
Today
Today henna is used mostly for artist purposes, while it is still used for weddings and religious purposes, many use it simply as a form of body art. Some may use henna if they are unsure if they want a permanent tattoo and some just don't want a permanent tattoo. Some even use it to cover any scars the individual has. -
Casual
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Referencing
About Henna. (n.d.). Retrieved April 11, 2018, from
https://silknstone.com/About-Henna.html
Henna History Timeline. (n.d.). Retrieved April 11, 2018, from
http://www.hennabysienna.com/henna-history-timeline.html
St-onge, C. J. (2014, November 06). A Cultural Timeline - Henna.
Retrieved April 11, 2018, from https://prezi.com/zmmzfgeaiilz/a-
cultural-timeline-henna/
