Re: Is henna only for women?

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Posted by Catherine Cartwright Jones on December 30, 1999 at 00:01:37:

In Reply to: Is henna only for women? posted by Hatem on December 29, 1999 at 20:53:52:

There are traditions in some countries that imply that henna is
primarilly for women. However, in some places in Egypt, about 40
years ago, a groom would have full body henna the night before his
wedding as would his bride.

Most countries that have a night of the henna for women, also have a
night of the henna for men too.

In Rajasthan, for festive occasions, men will have a little henna
applied for luck when the women have it appplied more ornately.

In India, 500 CE, men were hennaed as frequently and in the same way
as women.

From 100 BCE to 1300 CE, in India, Nepal, Tibet, Burma and other South
Asian countries, the Buddha was usually portrayed as wearing henna.
During this period, most lamas and priests Tibet wore henna. Shiva and
Ganesh are frequently portrayed wearing henna. The Emperor Elegabalus
wore henna in Rome in the 3rd century. The most common men's pattern
in India is one large dot surrounded by 4 smaller dots.

In other countries, traditional people feel henna is really "girly"
and men there may be as uncomfortable wearing henna as they would be
wearing pantyhose.

There is no reason for men to not henna, it's just a matter of local
tradition whether or not you do, and if so, how much. If you aren't
very concerned about tradition, henna as much as you wish! Henna
stains men's hands beautifully, and frequently stains a darker color
than women's.

I do have a sheet of men's patterns, and a sheet of warrior's patterns
as well as Celtic patterns that are fairly masculine. I can email
these to anyone free, just ask.

There is a men's night of the henna story and song on our website,
link below:

Mehandi from the TapDancing Lizard

Follow-ups:

Re: Is henna only for women? Kenzi 23:19:17 1/03/00 (1)
- Re: Is henna only for women? Kenzi 23:21:41 1/03/00 (0)
Re: Is henna only for women? MyST 05:28:09 1/03/00 (0)

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: There are traditions in some countries that imply that henna is : primarilly for women. However, in some places in Egypt, about 40 : years ago, a groom would have full body henna the night before his : wedding as would his bride. : Most countries that have a night of the henna for women, also have a : night of the henna for men too. : : In Rajasthan, for festive occasions, men will have a little henna : applied for luck when the women have it appplied more ornately. : In India, 500 CE, men were hennaed as frequently and in the same way : as women. : From 100 BCE to 1300 CE, in India, Nepal, Tibet, Burma and other South : Asian countries, the Buddha was usually portrayed as wearing henna. : During this period, most lamas and priests Tibet wore henna. Shiva and : Ganesh are frequently portrayed wearing henna. The Emperor Elegabalus : wore henna in Rome in the 3rd century. The most common men's pattern : in India is one large dot surrounded by 4 smaller dots. : In other countries, traditional people feel henna is really "girly" : and men there may be as uncomfortable wearing henna as they would be : wearing pantyhose. : There is no reason for men to not henna, it's just a matter of local : tradition whether or not you do, and if so, how much. If you aren't : very concerned about tradition, henna as much as you wish! Henna : stains men's hands beautifully, and frequently stains a darker color : than women's. : I do have a sheet of men's patterns, and a sheet of warrior's patterns : as well as Celtic patterns that are fairly masculine. I can email : these to anyone free, just ask. : There is a men's night of the henna story and song on our website, : link below:

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