First Discovery

“My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms from the vineyards of En Gedi” Song of Solomon 1:14

Okay, I was completely surprised to find any mention of henna in the Bible. I was even MORE astonished to discover that Mehndi (which in Arabic simply means henna) was likely applied to Solomon's brides as part of their year-long preparation, hence the pleasant smell arises from her fragrant skin to an appreciative Solomon.

Here is some more information I dug up.

Archaeologists have discovered that henna was used on Egyptians prior to mummification. Sometimes mummies were found with mehndi stained fingers and toes. There is also reference to henna in one of Pliny's letters. He refers to the plant as the “Cypress of Egypt”. There is evidence that the Hebrews of these times called it “ Camphire ”. It is likely that it was during this period that the use of henna for brides and important occasions was introduced into Hebrew culture.

The earliest written record of women’s bridal and fertility festival henna (mehndi) is the Ugaritic legend and epic poem, of Baal and Anath, from northwest Syria, about 2100 BCE. Anath was a goddess of fertility and battle. In this legend, brides ornamented their hands with henna before meeting their husbands, and Anath adorned her hands with henna before avenging Baal’s murder. Henna’s inclusion in this legend implies that henna was used by the Canaanite people, as a bridal tradition, and as a women’s celebration of life, for many centuries prior to 2100 BCE. This use by the indigenous peoples of the Holy Land certainly influenced the Nation of Israel when they occupied the land.

Many Minoan and Mycenaean statuettes from 1700 BCE to 900 BCE show goddesses similar to Anath, whose raised hands have henna-type markings. Their breasts and feet also show marks interpretable as henna stains. Images of Libyans from the same period have stained palms and soles. The sea-faring Canaanites spread their traditions, including their use of henna, across the Mediterranean to North Africa between 1700 and 600 BCE, and as far as Spain.

Numerous artifacts from Iraq, Palestine, Greece, Egypt, Crete and Rome from 1400 BC to 1 A.D. show women with henna patterns on their hands. Henna’s use as a woman’s bridal and tribal adornment Archaeologists have discovered that henna was used on Egyptians prior to mummification. Sometimes mummies were found with mehndi stained fingers and toes. There is also reference to henna in one of Pliny's letters. He refers to the plant as the “Cypress of Egypt”. There is evidence that the Hebrews of these times called it “ Camphire ”. It is likely that it was during this period that the use of henna for brides and important occasions was introduced into Hebrew culture.

The earliest written record of women’s bridal and fertility festival henna (mehndi) is the Ugaritic legend and epic poem, of Baal and Anath, from northwest Syria, about 2100 BCE. Anath was a goddess of fertility and battle. In this legend, brides ornamented their hands with henna before meeting their husbands, and Anath adorned her hands with henna before avenging Baal’s murder. Henna’s inclusion in this legend implies that henna was used by the Canaanite people, as a bridal tradition, and as a women’s celebration of life, for many centuries prior to 2100 BCE. This use by the indigenous peoples of the Holy Land certainly influenced the Nation of Israel when they occupied the land.

Many Minoan and Mycenaean statuettes from 1700 BCE to 900 BCE show goddesses similar to Anath, whose raised hands have henna-type markings. Their breasts and feet also show marks interpretable as henna stains. Images of Libyans from the same period have stained palms and soles. The sea-faring Canaanites spread their traditions, including their use of henna, across the Mediterranean to North Africa between 1700 and 600 BCE, and as far as Spain.

Numerous artifacts from Iraq, Palestine, Greece, Egypt, Crete and Rome from 1400 BC to 1 A.D. show women with henna patterns on their hands. Henna’s use as a woman’s bridal and tribal adornment was then widespread in the eastern Mediterranean and was used by the Canaanite women in pre-Biblical times. A 30 BCE Roman wall fresco, “The Aldobrandini Wedding”, shows a “Night of the Henna” celebration, including henna patterns on the mother’s hand. Henna was used in Palestine from the earliest historical period. Roman records describe Jewish and Gentile henna use in Jerusalem during the early Christian era. There is artifact evidence of early Christian use of henna in the eastern Mediterranean region and Egypt.

Henna was incorporated into the customs of Muslims in the 6th century CE. Henna traditions were long established in Arabia, and henna was used by Mohammed and all of his wives. As Islam expanded quickly into other countries, eastern Mediterranean henna traditions followed. Henna was grown and used in Spain, by Christians, Jews and Moors from the 9th century AD until 1567 when the Spanish Inquisition outlawed it. Muslims worldwide continue to celebrate the “Night of the Henna” and regard henna as a beautiful and suitable ornament for women to the present day.

There has been a revival of mehndi among Christians from the Middle East and South Asia. The concept was certainly derived from pagan rituals but became an important part of the Judeo-Christian culture. The symbols used can vary from those used by other faiths and include those mentioned in Song of Solomon:

• Rose of Sharon,
• Lily of the valleys,
• Pomegranate, and
• Gazelle.