Henna was used throughout the Islamic world for both everyday and ritual ornamentation. In passage ceremonies it marked and protected participants. It was used as well on holidays and at times of joy—most prominently in prewedding ceremonies. Jewish communities adapted henna to their own purposes, creating novel rituals and ceremonies. Today, henna ceremonies have become popular again among Sephardi/Mizraḥi Jews in Israel and France.
1. Botany
Henna (Ar. al-ḥinnāʾ , Pers. ḥana) refers to…