I studied Indian culture pretty extensively for my orientation period.

You know it’s only a “Henna tattoo” in the sense that it’s made using the henna plant. The art of applying henna to the skin to dye it is actually called “Mehndi.” It’s not a tattoo since there are no needles involved.

But it’s an elaborate ceremonial art form that has been passed down through generations since ancient Indian cultures invented it. It started as a wedding tradition: brides would be ornately decorated with Henna paste on their hands and feet. Often the patterns would include the name of the groom. Even today Mehndi is one of the most important pre-wedding ceremonies of a young Indian bride’s marriage.

Yeah, I do know a lot about it. I had to watch a video that was almost 20 minutes long before the mall kiosk would let me start painting it on people. Now where do you want your pot leaf?

Wear this shirt: Before your own Indian wedding.

Don’t wear this shirt: To Holi. Definitely go to Holi; it looks awesome. But wear something you don’t mind getting stained.

This shirt tells the world: “If your culture can’t be succinctly printed on a shirt, I don’t have time for it.”

We call this color: Don’t fall for any of those “black henna” or “neutral henna” cremes.

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