Henna is a plant. The leaves of the plant are dried and then crushed into a powder. The powder is then made into a paste that when applied to the skin, produces a beautiful reddish-brown stain. Henna is also used as a natural reddish hair dye.
In many cultures henna tattoos are used to celebrate special occasions and rites of passage through life. All over the world people use henna to celebrate pregnancy, manhood, marriage, holidays and even death. In India the art of henna tattooing is called Mehndi. The bridal tattoos done for Indian weddings are some of the most beautifully intricate tattoos around.