Henna Tattoo Pics, Designs, and lots of Designs! Incredible henna art that you gotta see! See why henna is becoming more popular than tattoos!We can hear what you’re saying from here. Henna tattoo is an oxymoron. Henna is temporary, tattoos are not. Henna tattoo designs may not, in fact, be tattoos. However, they have become quite popular both in their traditional middle Eastern cultures and in the West as well.
Henna tattoo designs bring about multiple thoughts. Some may recall beach trips in the summer, where someone was inevitably hawking henna tattoos along the boardwalk. Anyone could get these done, both young and old, as they are temporary yet, at a glance, look just as real as the needle and ink version. Many, when imagining henna tattoo designs, would think about the art of mehndi, also called mehendi. Mehndi is an ancient art form of decorating the skin. The dried leaves of a henna plant are crushed up, which forms a powder and is mixed with water to create a paste. From there, the paste is used to create breathtaking designs on the skin typically on the hands and feet. While mehndi may have originated as a ceremonial practice it has become popular both in the East and the West as fashionable.
Let’s take a look at forty uniquely beautiful henna tattoo designs. We have collected a variety from traditional mehndi looks to more simple “temporary tattoo” beach varieties. While henna in its more traditional form is typically found on hands and feet we will see it placed in a variety of areas on the body. Enjoy this breathtaking art form that reminds us of our beloved tattoo.
40. Ruby Footed Henna Tattoo Design
These aren’t exactly Dorothy’s heels from the Wizard of Oz but the ruby adornments on this design are just as breathtaking. I wonder if the wearer of this piece has tried clicking her heels together yet.
39. Pregnant Belly
Adding to the peaceful look on the face of this mother is the flowing, symmetrical design placed on her belly. The accompanying hand design pulls it all together.
38. Spongebob Roundpants
The beauty of henna tattoo designs is that the kids can join in on the fun. Mr. Squarepants has his face cleverly inserted into this sunflower on what we can only assume is a very happy child’s hand.
37. Shoulder Shield
Such a simple design still winds up looking spectacular when placed correctly. This shoulder shield brings to mind a Samoan warrior preparing for battle. Here’s hoping the henna shield serves as valuable protection.
36. Palm Reading
While it may be hard for a psychic to find the life line on these palms it is impossible to miss the beauty and painstaking effort in this artwork. Each hand is unique, despite the central diamonds making them look identical at first glance. If you stare long enough, maybe you’ll see the future.
35. Tiny Feet
I always thought little baby shoes were the cutest thing in the world…until I saw this. Henna tattoo designs are for the young and old. Look at the floral design on those tiny toes!
34. Covered Feet
The sheer amount of henna in this piece is amazing, not to mention that each side is a mirror image of the other. The patience the artist must have while creating a design like this is inspiring! This look highlights the other classic reddish brown color of mehndi henna art.
33. Do It Yourself
Henna tattoo designs have become so popular in the world of fashion that at home kits have hit the market in full force. With a little creativity and time you can create your own design. This young lady created a for sure conversation starter here.
32. Full Back Piece
This back piece is an obvious example that henna tattoo designs are perfect for men too. There is so much different detail here from diamonds, to dot work to flowing lines. It is a very masculine piece even while keeping traditional elements.
31. Blue Toes
This is another example of color infused into a foot design. The iridescent blue is beautiful and the artist added even more flourish with glitter. I guess someone is going out bare foot tonight!
30. Back Hand
While both a type of tennis shot and one of the most painful slaps, the back hand is also a popular placement for henna tattoo designs. It is interesting how this piece somewhat reflects in the wearer’s choice of foot wear as well.
29. Peep Show
This is beautiful, floral design meets perfect outfit. While most pieces placed on the upper back require a little less clothing, this one shines through with just the right sweater picked out.
28. Fly Away
This design looks so much like wings that I wonder if she is contemplating flying away. I love that this piece includes feathers, flowers and strings of beads.
27. Place Your Hands In Mine
The depth of this design is amazing. I feel like you could literally stare into the palms of this woman forever and never see every detail. This is a true mehndi masterpiece.
26. What Time is the Show?
I can imagine that this guy is waiting for his gig to start at open mike night. How interesting would it be to watch him play guitar with this piece on his hand? It might be a distraction from the music itself. The beauty of henna tattoo designs is that it could be changed on a gig by gig basis!
25. Fantastic Forearm Piece
This forearm piece almost feels Native American in a way. There are so many different designs involved that depending on which section you look at, you can see different things like a pineapple or a peacock plume.
24. Simply Fun
Three small flowers adorn this shoulder blade. This reminds me of one of those beach henna tattoo designs that makes a teenager feel cool as she walks around the boardwalk on vacation with her “tattoo”.
23. The High Note
A treble clef and a few musical notes are a perfect design for that music recital coming up. The owner of this design may have been the coolest kid in tenth grade orchestra.
22. Comes with a Matching Throw Pillow
Well this is a new twist on coordinating home decor. This tattoo seems to fit right in with the pillow the forearm is resting on. In fact, that pillow looks like it has a future in henna tattoo designs.
21. Now You See Me…
The way this design blends right into what the owner is wearing is pure perfection. The diamonds, along with the black and white pattern create what seems like a veil as she brings her hands together.
20. Meshed Feet
This design creeps all the way up to mid shin rather than staying at the ankles. While the mirroring isn’t exact there is enough intricacy to make it seem like it is perfect.
19. Living Tree
This tree utilizes the entirety of her back. I love that it includes the roots and leaves, letting us all know that this tree is alive and well as the yoga pose promotes wellness inside and out.
18. Chest Protector
This is a very tribal piece. A Samoan warrior preparing for battle? Or a male model preparing for a Calvin Klein shoot? Either way henna tattoo designs play a major role in this full chest piece.
17. Namaste
I can’t help but feel peaceful staring into this large, full back design. There is a lot going on in this piece, yet, it feels like you could just simply look at it and relax.
16. Classic Peacock
The peacock feather seems to dominate the world of henna tattoo designs. This unique piece incorporates the body and head as well allowing the peacock to be on full display, as we all know peacocks love to do.
15. Mind over Matter
Stunning. What a beautiful way to adorn a bald head! Not everyone can pull off the bald look and even fewer can pull off the scalp tattoo but this woman accomplishes both.
14. It’s a Small World
While this Mickey Mouse tattoo may not necessarily be on a child, it very well could be. Henna tattoo designs are as fun for all ages as Disney is. You can see the staining process at work here, as the light brown areas are the henna coloring the skin.
13. Bejeweled Back
This design is pure art. The jewels are a part of this work as opposed to simply adorning it. Unfortunately, it would require a very unique outfit to be able to display this beautiful piece in public.
12. Birds of a Feather
Henna tattoo designs are a great way to preview how a permanent ink tattoo might look. This will be a beautiful shoulder blade tattoo if put into ink. The birds flying out of the feather is such a mystical, creative look.
11. Ankle Bracelet
This design takes the place of actual jewelry. This is the perfect piece to wear with some flip flops for a night out walking along the beach. Who needs an anklet when you have henna?
10. A Temporary Classic
The anchor is, was and will always be a major piece of classic tattoo art. It has even made its way into the temporary seen with this shoulder blade anchor and rope.
9. Slip Ons
You might be able to get away with being barefooted in a convenience store with this design. From the right angle, it looks like she is wearing a pair of ornate flats.
8. Search the World Over
This another one of those henna tattoo designs that screams, “make me a permanent tattoo.” How creative it is to include classic mehndi designs into the continents. Bringing the feet together creates a unique map of the world.
7. White Out
White henna design has a beauty all its own. It creates the look of white lace as if she is wearing a beautiful, delicate glove. It is almost surprising how good this looks against her fair skin.
6. Technicolor
This design incorporates the many colors of her headscarf and this pose is perfect to show it off. The color plays perfectly into the black and white so as not to be a distraction from the traditional look. It almost looks like watercolors have been used to add the pop to this piece.
5. Tiny Elephant
This is one elephant in the room not to be avoided. Many henna tattoo designs seem so playful and this one fits the bill. It combines classic elements such as placement and mehndi designs inside the outline of the elephant body.
4. Feather Necklace
Diamond necklaces are one thing but a henna feather necklace is truly show stopping. Imagine seeing this piece at a cocktail party. The simple design on the wrist brings this together as the perfect set of accessories for a simple outfit.
3. The Sun, Moon and Stars
As we have seen, henna tattoo designs aren’t just black or brown anymore. This stunning piece incorporates white and uses the shading technique we so often see in permanent tattoo. After seeing this design, I’m sure the owner is having second thoughts on it just being temporary.
2. Gothic Twist
While using many classic elements of feathers and dot work, there is an element of goth to this piece. Maybe it is the red nails or the unusual blank space around the middle finger. This look is very unique despite its traditional pieces.
1. Colorful Flowerfall
This piece includes classic mehndi work and beautiful color. It looks like a waterfall down her back and is stunning combined with her beautiful sari. This is another example that not all henna tattoo designs are simple, rigid black and white works of art.
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