Have you ever wanted to learn how to do henna? Of course, there are a million Youtube videos on henna, but often many artists learned originally from books about henna and henna designs. The wonderful thing about a book is that you can prop it open on your table and really explore the idea of henna while practicing on paper or yourself in the comfort of your home. It gives you the opportunity to try out designs without stopping the video or rewinding or even the general distraction of the video itself. I have always loved books for learning more about art especially when I want to practice the art myself.
Below are a list of books that you might enjoy that are about henna. Some have tutorials, some have designs, and others have the history and stories of henna. There is even a henna coloring book for those who might not be ready to delve into the joys of mehndi art but love the designs and want to fill them in with beautiful colors. Enjoy!
** Please note that not all of these books encourage the use of SAFE and natural henna. It is important to never buy henna that is not 100% natural and handmade. Scarring, burns, and lifelong skin trauma can occur from pre-mixed henna you can find in a shop (often in a metallic tube). Please see the bottom of this blog for an all natural resource for henna that you can quickly and easily order online from Henna Sooq. They offer henna pre-mixed (by them, by hand with only natural ingredients) and the henna powder for you to mix yourself.
Teach Yourself Henna Tattoo by Brenda Abdoyan
Color your world with the fabulous art of henna tattoo. Mehndi, also known as henna tattoo, is a traditional Middle Eastern art used to adorn the body for weddings and other special celebrations. Today, readers everywhere can join in the beauty and fun of mendhi with this simple book of patterns and instructions for the body and even home decor objects! Inside, readers will find a variety of original henna tattoo patterns that can be applied to the hands, feet, belly and back. Readers interested in creating their own designs can follow he simple instructions for the 5 basic henna shapes and learn how to combine them in a variety of ways to create exotic mendhi designs of their own. But why stop there? Mehndi is a versitile art that can also be applied to wood, leather and other surfaces. Follow-along with the author as she shows how she creates one-of-a-kind designs for a wooden box, leather pouch, magnet, tea caddy and more. Filled with stunning photographs of beautiful henna tattoo, this book is sure to inspire.
Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Teach-Yourself-Henna-Tattoo-Follow/dp/1497200709
Henna House by Nomi Eve
This vivid saga begins in Yemen in 1920. Adela Damari’s parents’ health is failing as they desperately seek a future husband for their young daughter, who is in danger of becoming adopted by the local Muslim community if she is orphaned. With no likely marriage prospects, Adela’s situation looks dire—until she meets two cousins from faraway cities: a boy with whom she shares her most treasured secret, and a girl who introduces her to the powerful rituals of henna. Ultimately, Adela’s life journey brings her old and new loves, her true calling, and a new life as she is transported to Israel as part of Operation On Wings of Eagles.
Rich, evocative, and enthralling, Henna House is an intimate family portrait interwoven with the traditions of the Yemenite Jews and the history of the Holocaust and Israel. This sensuous tale of love, loss, betrayal, forgiveness—and the dyes that adorn the skin and pierce the heart—will captivate readers until the very last page.
Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Henna-House-Novel-Nomi-Eve/dp/1476740283
Mehndi Designs by Marty Noble
The ancient art of henna body painting — widely used in India, Africa, and the Middle East — varies from country to country and spans different cultures and religious traditions. Aside from the modern use of henna as a trendy, temporary tattoo, traditional designs have been used to celebrate weddings, births, and religious holidays.
This collection of charming images, adapted from authentic mehndi designs, incorporates more than 160 lovely, royalty-free patterns (largely Indian) that are used to cover hands, forearms, and feet. Included are fine line, lacy, and paisley motifs; detailed images of exotic birds and human faces, assorted floral borders, heart-shaped insets, and repeat patterns featuring abstracts and woven tendrils.
Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Mehndi-Designs-Traditional-Pictorial-Archive/dp/0486438600
Henna Sourcebook by Mary Packard
No one knows for sure when henna was first used for skin decorating, but traces of henna have been found on mummies in Egypt and on cave painting in India dating back thousands of years. While this tradition is still widely used in India, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, it is now gaining popularity throughout the Western world as well. Rooted in the belief that those whose skin is adorned with henna are blessed with good fortune, henna is often associated with rights of passage—coming of age, marriage, and childbirth. Holidays and festivals are times when women and girls decorate their hands and feet, and henna patterns are sometimes unique to these occasions. In some cultures, a bridegroom may be decorated the night before a wedding as well. It is increasingly common for henna parties to be held in the United States, sometimes at weddings, birthday parties, and baby showers—and sometimes just for fun. Henna patterns are seen adorning pop icons like Madonna, Demi Moore, and Prince, and henna artists are becoming an increasingly common sight at street fairs and shops as a temporary and painless alternative to tattoos. Design motifs are included from many different cultures, with background information provided about the symbolism of the designs and motifs.
Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Henna-Sourcebook-traditional-interpretations-decorating/dp/1937994082
The Art of Mehndi by Sumita Batra
Henna body painting has become a huge cultural phenomenon. This mehndi style bible explores the roots of this ancient art, the healing properties of henna, its popularity as a fashion accessory in the 90s, and the symbolism of the designs.
Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Mehndi-Sumita-Batra/dp/014028401X
Part-Time Ink by Pavan Ahluwalia
Henna and temporary tattoo expert Pavan Ahluwalia is here to guide you through everything you need to know about selecting your tattoo, from choosing or creating the design, altering the size, to applying it to your body. With designs ranging from larger statement pieces for necklines and legs to smaller, discreet patterns for arms, wrists and fingers, this will appeal to anyone, from age 7 to 70. There will also be components that can be added together to create a customized design, and tips on how to add jewels and other 3D embellishments. Pavan will show you how to create henna tattoos at home, or simply transfer short-term designs with a printer or tracing paper. Whether for a festival, a birthday party, or just for fun, this exciting book will have you sleeved up with fake ink in no time.
Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Part-Time-Ink-temporary-tutorials-festivals/dp/1784880353
The Art of Henna by Pamela Nichols
A complete guide to creating beautiful, natural, temporary, exotic & painless tattoos. This full-color book takes you on a journey of discovery through the world of Henna, its history, traditions, & techniques from ancient times to the present. With 70 stunning photographs, complete step-by-step instructions & over 220 designs from many cultures, you will be able to rekindle your spirit & beautify your body. Appropriate for everyone from beginner to advanced. Includes dozens of additional design strategies, tips & techniques. Beautifully designed. Over 100 color & black & white drawings & photos.
Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Henna-Ultimate-Body-Book/dp/0756799538
Henna Head to Toe by Norma Pasekoff Weinberg
An illustrated health and beauty book which contains advice on using henna for hair colouring and conditioning, medicinal purposes and body decorating, for which it contains over fifty designs.
Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Henna-Head-Toe-Decorating-Medicinal/dp/1580170978
Mehndi: The Timeless Art of Henna Painting by Loretta Roome
Mehndi, the ancient art of painting on the skin with henna, beautifies the body, rejuvenates the spirit, and celebrates the joys of creativity and self-expression. More than just a temporary tattoo, mehndi offers us a way to participate in a centuries-old tradition still practiced in India, Africa, and the Middle East.
In this stunning and authoritative book, Loretta Roome traces the origins and meanings of traditional designs, demonstrates how to create them on the skin, and reveals the recipes, tools, and techniques needed to paint designs that range from simple to complex. The result of years of research and the author's experience as one of the nation's foremost mehndi artists, Roome's book offers practical information, creative inspiration, and many suggestions for enhancing the playful, intimate, sensual, erotic, and spiritual aspects of the ancient and amazing art of mehndi.
Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Mehndi-Timeless-Art-Henna-Painting/dp/0312187432
Henna Magic: Crafting Charms & Rituals with Sacred Body Art by Philippa Faulks