If you’ve ever wondered what having a tattoo would be like but didn’t want to commit to going under the needle – or love the look of traditional Indian wedding tattoos – a henna tattoo is for you. Made from a plant-based ink or paste, henna tattoos are completely painless and naturally fade over time. Henna comes in shades of red, orange, brown, or blue-black and looks striking on various skin tones. Keep reading to discover the most beautiful henna tattoo designs that are popular right now.

1. Henna Leg Tattoo

Leg tattoos are becoming more and more popular among women. That’s because they are eye-catching, 𝓈ℯ𝓍y, and feminine. You can show them off when you wear a dress or shorts. If you’re toying with the idea of getting a permanent leg tattoo, try testing out the design in henna first.

2. White Henna Tattoo

A white henna tattoo is ideal for those with deep skin tones – or who want an eye-catching twist on traditional henna. White henna contains no part of the henna plant and does not bleach, discolor, or stain the skin. Instead, a mixture of surgical-grade adhesive and skin-safe body paint is applied. It has the same texture as real henna and can be used similarly, but it doesn’t last as long – it will wash away in three to ten days.

3. Henna Tattoo with Meaning

One of the most meaningful henna tattoos is the bridal mehndi in Indian culture. Henna tattoos allow the wearer to receive blessings when inked on the palms. Swan tattoos represent success and beauty, while the lotus flower is a sacred Hindu symbol. It’s associated with the gods Vishnu and Brahma and symbolizes eternity, and divine purity.

4. Henna Flower Tattoo

Traditionally, flowers represent happiness and joy, while vines and leaves symbolize devotion – making these plant-based designs very popular for wedding henna tattoos. Creating any flower tattoo design with henna is possible using any art style. Flowers look feminine and beautiful and are even better when combined with other natural symbols like birds, butterflies, and dragonflies.

5. Black Henna Tattoo

Opt for a jagua-based ink if you want your henna tattoo to appear very dark, rather than the usual red, orange, or brown. Jagua is made from the juice of a South American fruit, and jagua tattoos are traditional in some Caribbean and indigenous American cultures. Some products labeled ‘black henna’ are made from a toxic dye called p-paraphenylenediamine (PPD). This ingredient is not skin safe and can cause severe illnesses and scarring.

6. Small Henna Tattoo

Small tattoos are quicker to apply and ideal for trying out henna for the first time. They are also an excellent option for a matching group tattoo. Like regular tattoos, simple henna designs look better when smaller in size. These tattoos look best when placed on the hands, fingers, or inner wrist. Try a nature-inspired tattoo or geometric patterns and shapes.

 

7. Sun Henna Tattoo

The sun, moon, and stars are another traditional henna tattoo design. It represents a love that is as endless as the sky. Many people choose henna ink for a tribal-style sun tattoo. However, the final look can be as straightforward or as complicated as you want. It’s also striking when combined with a matching moon tattoo.

8. Henna Finger Tattoos

Henna looks striking when applied to the fingers as the color stands out against many skin tones. Popular designs include drops, dots, leaves, and the full-color ‘dip-dye’ look. Like other hand tattoos, henna finger tattoos will always be fully visible. Therefore, choosing an experienced henna artist to apply these tattoos is essential.

 

9. Henna Wrist Tattoo

Henna looks especially good when applied to the wrists and hands. Your henna wrist tattoo will stand out from a compact bracelet-style design to plants and flowers. One henna wrist tattoo that is trending at the moment is a mandala lotus. It combines the sacred Hindu symbols of eternity, divinity, and purity to create a beautiful final look.

 

10. Henna Sleeve Tattoo

A sleeve tattoo is a single design or a collection of tattoos that stretched from the shoulder to the wrist. If you want to test out the look of a full sleeve without the commitment, try a henna sleeve tattoo. The temporary nature of the design allows you to experiment with different designs and decide if the bold, eye-catching look of a sleeve is right for you.

• 

11. Henna Shoulder Tattoo

The shoulder is an ideal placement for a traditional-style henna tattoo. Frequently, shoulder tattoo designs involve the circular mandala symbol. The mandala represents the universe and divine harmony. Because it radiates outwards, the design fits perfectly with the curves of the shoulder.

12. Forearm Henna Tattoo

To show off your henna tattoo, have it drawn on your forearm. You can see your forearm tattoo any time or easily cover it up with a shirt. It’s the ideal placement for long, winding designs like leaves and vines, which are traditional in Arabic henna body art. Alternatively, you could try geometric shapes like lines, grids, or a written message.

13. Henna Thigh Tattoo

The thigh is a trending tattoo placement for women. Not only is it a 𝓈ℯ𝓍y area for your body art, but it also provides you with plenty of space for a bigger, more complex design. Your henna artist can also use their s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s to the full effect, with no space limitations. Perfect for the warmer months, a henna thigh tattoo will take your bikini or beach outfit to the next level.

14. Henna Ankle Tattoo

Henna ankle tattoos are slightly more subtle than other placements because they can be easily covered. They are completely painless, while regular ankle tattoos are some of the most painful. Henna ankle tattoos are often designed to look like anklets and foot jewelry. They have a beautiful feminine look and pair well with heels or sandals.

15. Henna Foot Tattoo

Foot tattoos are very traditional in Hindu culture. That’s because the feet are part of the body that is in contact with the Earth. Tattoos on this body part represent our connection to the natural world. Popular designs include peacocks, paisley, and mandalas. However, you can choose something less traditional if you wear henna as a fashion statement.

16. Henna Tattoo Eyebrows

You can use henna to tint your eyebrow hairs and create a temporary brow tattoo. Many women try out this method before they commit to microblading. Because it dyes your skin and hair, the henna eyebrow tattoo can create a different brow shape and give you a thicker, fuller look. It also includes extra pigments, so your brows won’t appear red or orange.

17. Cute Henna Tattoos

As stated previously, henna tattoos don’t have to be traditional to be eye-catching. You can choose any design that you want, just as you can with a regular tattoo. For young people with a playful personalities,  animals, cartoon characters, and food are popular cute tattoo choices.

18. Simple Henna Tattoo

Traditional Indian henna tattoos are intricate and complex – and take hours to apply. However, henna ink can also be used for simple tattoos. In North Africa, shapes like squares are commonly included in designs. The only limit is your imagination. Whether you want geometric shapes, a symbol, minimalist art, a quote, or a number, a henna tattoo will give you the desired result.

 

19. Henna Hand Tattoo

Among the most popular locations for henna tattoos are the hand. Unlike permanent hand tattoos, these pieces are not controversial but are symbolic and have great cultural importance. They are used in religious ceremonies, like weddings, and are believed to allow the wearer to receive blessings. The placement is also said to have a calming effect.

20. Dragon Henna Tattoo

If you love the idea of tattoos but want something less permanent, henna is a great alternative. The dragon tattoo is symbolic of mysticism, power, wisdom, and fearlessness. It also has different symbolism in the West and East; the mythical beast represents greed and sin in the West while bringing luck and prosperity in the East.

21. Henna Face Tattoo

Henna tattoos are believed to bring good luck and prosperity in marriages and have great cultural significance. It is often placed on the arms and legs and can also appear on the back, neck, and collarbone; however, the placement on the face is less common. For someone who wants a design that demands attention, a face tattoo is appealing because of its visibility.

22. Elephant Henna Tattoo

Elephant tattoos can be an incredibly powerful choice, and for Hindus, they are considered sacred animals. Incorporating this majestic beast into your henna tattoo can be done in several ways, including adding intricate patterns and details. Depending on your preference, your design can be created big or small, but you may want to choose somewhere to show it off, such as the hands and arms.

 

23. Henna Neck Tattoo

Henna can be placed on the neck during important ceremonies and is associated with good luck and prosperity in the marriage. Unlike standard neck tattoos, which are incredibly painful and controversial, these pieces are beautiful and detailed and do not have the same stigma attached to them.

24. Men’s Henna Tattoo

Traditionally henna tattoos have been worn by women, but now that the art of henna has become mainstream, it is being created in various designs for both men and women. Your piece can include geometric elements or could be of animals or flowers. You may also want to opt for a more traditionally masculine design.

 

25. Rihanna Henna Tattoo

Perhaps one of the most famous examples of henna becoming mainstream is when Rihanna showed off an intricate and mandala-style henna design on her hand. Rihanna is considered one of the world’s most fashionable women, and although her inking is permanent, it has been inspired by traditional henna tattoos.

• 

26. Rose Henna Tattoo

Traditionally henna is created in mehndi patterns, but floral designs like a rose tattoo will look pretty and feminine. Flowers are associated with beauty and growth, so they are also deeply symbolic in addition to looking beautiful. There are several meanings for roses, and the bloom can also represent the balance between pleasure and pain and good and evil and is a reminder to be wary of who you trust.

 

27. Henna Necklace Tattoo

A henna necklace tattoo can make for a statement design that draws the eyes to one of the most flattering parts of the body. It can be concentrated on the neck only or could also cover the collarbone and part of the chest. There is a wide range of designs to choose from, letting you get creative. And the best part? There is no pain involved in the process.

 

28. Henna Back Tattoo

Back tattoos in henna are an excellent option and can be worn by the bride on her wedding day. The back is an appealing location for any body art because it is large enough to allow for creativity, letting you create beautiful, intricate patterns without having a limit on space. The back is also versatile, and because henna lasts at least two weeks before fading, you can easily cover it up.

29. Moon Henna Tattoo

Moon tattoos are beautiful and symbolic, representing female power, transition, mythicism, and growth. It is an appealing symbol for women to get inked because of its visual beauty and meaning. A moon design can be inked small and simple or part of a larger, more detailed design. You may also want to match it with a sun tattoo.

30. Henna Erotic Tattoo

Body art has long been used for decorative and symbolic purposes, so some people choose to adorn their bodies with designs. They can be placed anywhere on the body, including in more intimate locations, for seductive body art that can celebrate female power. There is some controversy about this, though, as some consider using henna when it is not for traditional practices to be cultural appropriation.