Henna is a deciduous plant that flourishes in warm climates. Regarded as sacred by communities across Northern Africa and the Middle East, its leaves are gathered twice annually, allowed to dry, then milled and prepared into a paste. The exact ingredients and methods used to make the paste differ depending on the intended purpose and the country. Henna paste is widely applied by women for beautification, such as colouring hair and fingertips or decorating hands and feet. Representing happiness, it is used in daily life as well as during festive occasions including births and weddings. Henna branches, leaves and paste are likewise used in handicrafts and for medicinal applications, including the treatment of certain skin conditions. Its use is often accompanied by oral traditions such as chants, songs, proverbs and poems, and is connected to centuries-old social customs and traditions. This embraces knowledge associated with cultivating and caring for the henna tree and with preparing and applying the paste. Families and communities pass down these traditions through observation and practical experience. Today, organizations, beauty centres, universities and the media also support their transmission. A central element of traditional celebrations, henna rituals strengthen social connections and encourage communication.