Henna tattoos have been increasing in popularity over the last few years as a result of more artists and performers sporting the new in thing. With a mixture of paste and creativity you can now have a piece of art that takes about 6 weeks to fade instead of the lifelong masterpieces of traditional tattoos.
The ink or paste for henna tattoos come from the mendhi, a plant that is grown mostly in middle eastern and North African countries. The leaves are removed form the plant and ground into a powder to use for the ink. It leaves an orange staining upon the skin, much like the ink of a tattoo. After around 24 hours the ink dries and darkens to a reddish brown then begins its fading process, which can take about 6 weeks to complete. Henna tattoos have been around for thousands of years and now thanks to many modern performers is gaining its popularity in North America and Europe.
The true beginning of henna tattoos lies with Buddest and other Indian women who used to decorate their feet and palms of their hands with the dye from the Laksa tress. Henna was introduced by Muslims and quickly replaced the use of Laksa. Henna spread though Eastern Europe in the 16th century when it was being used as decoration for weddings and other ceremonies by females. In current times it is still a frequent tradition in middle eastern countries for weddings. This always the husbands female relatives to get to know his new bride by partaking in a full day of rituals and application of henna tattoos.
There are 4 traditional styles to henna tattoos. Middle Eastern traditional henna usually entailed floral design inspired by paintings and other designs. North American tattoos are usually more related to accenting the shape of the hands and the feet with the use of flowers. Indian and Pakistani tattoos typically extended past the hands and feet to create the illusion of stockings or gloves. They are made of repetitive lines and patterns and incorporate teardrops into them. Lastly, are the Indonesian designs which incorporate both the Middle Eastern and Indian styles and patterns. The often have blocks of colours on the fingers and toes as well.
Henna tattoos are great for those looking for a less permanent tattoo option. One of the only limitations to these are that they are in the colour orange, but unlike traditional ink and needle tattoos they are not life long. They only last about 6 weeks at which point you can choose a new design. This is also a great option for someone looking for a permanent tattoo to “try out” the permanent design of choosing.
Although all tattoos bear some significance or other to the bearer, flower tattoos hold special meanings in themselves. With more and more women getting tattoos, it is no wonder that flower designs are becoming evermore popular. Since flowers come in a wide array of colours and styles and meanings, the make an easier choice for someone wanting something original, while remaining mainstream. The most beneficial part of flower tattoos is you can personalize it to mean what you want by choosing your flower and your colourations.
Overall, many people associate flowers with life. We can view their life cycles everyday all around us, from the beginning of growth to the wilting and eventual dying of the blossoms. When we view a flower we envision life. Born of nature, they continue to mature on a day to day basis, forever reminding us that like all other things we are not immortal. As the flower does die, so shall we.
The colouration you choose can mean many things, whether individualized to you or on a more global scale. White is often seen as a symbol of innocence and purity. Clean and crisp just like a fresh snowfall. Red is seen as a burning passion or desire, it can be looked upon as the colour of love or the colour of rage.
Roses of course are th most common flower, followed by the lotus. Roses like the colour red symbolize love and passion. Roses are viewed as a romantic flower, which is why it is very common to send your loved one roses on Valentines Day and other holidays. In western civilizations roses are seen as love and purity whereas in eastern civilizations it is the lotus flower that represents this. A lotus tattoo also holds further meaning. It is meant to impart the bearer with fortune, peace and beauty. Tulips are another popular choice, symbolizing passion and expertise at being a lover. Violets are for the timid and tame girl. The shy girl who takes her time and maintains control. For those of Irish descent the Acacia flower is a popular choice, otherwise known as the Bells of Ireland, they symbolize friendship and love. Those seeking to display virtue and wisdom may choose an Iris. Or a women may chose a Magnolia to symbolize a love of nature.
As you can see the choices are as wide and beautiful as all the flowers in the world. Depending on your cultural background and heritage along with your personal individualized choice, you can find the perfect flower tattoo with the perfect meaning for you.
In today’s society a lot of people tend to misjudge tattoos, or not understand the true psychology behind tattoos. A lot of people who see someone with a lot of tattoos will automatically think negative thoughts. Those who have tattoos are just like anyone else – except for the fact that they wish to stand out and broadcast who they are, simply because they have a strong sense of who they are. Those with tattoos aren’t afraid to show them, as they put them on their body to let others know who they are and what they are about.
Most who decide to look into the psychology of those with tattoos seem to associate them as criminals and study them like they are common rats in the cage. Contrary to this opinion that many experts have, those who have tattoos aren’t in any type of cage. Instead, they are out there expressing their freedom. Whether they are going by what they believe, showing that they belong to a certain group or clan, or paying homage to the dearly departed – there are always meanings behind tattoos.
The psychologist who studies those with tattoos will normally try to get into their frame of mind, which is hard to do. For hundreds of years tattoos have always been a question from a psychological standpoint, with most people associating tattoos in the past with criminals. Even though criminals may have tattoos, there are just as many if not more people out there who are some of the friendliest people in the world who have them as well.
To look at tattoos from a psychological standpoint can sometimes be hypocritical. Although those who don’t have tattoos will try and figure out why someone would want them, it can still be considered a psychological point of view. Those who have tattoos had a reason for getting them, or they wouldn’t have got them in the first place.
No matter where you look these days it’s a common thing to see someone with at least one tattoo. This doesn’t mean that society is dwindling in any way, nor does it mean that mankind is becoming a bunch of clones following after one leader. Tattoos have built there own reputation over the years, gaining in popularity. Over the years more and more people have decided to get them – which only goes to show the phenomenon that is tattoos.
When you decide to look at the psychology of tattoos, you must first understand some of the meanings. A tattoo can tell you a lot about the individual and his past. Although some tattoos may be a bit frightening, that individual may have got the tattoos in his past and turn out to be nothing like that now. Like others out there – the tattoos that were obtained in the past may be left as a reminder for the future.