Manicure in Ancient Egypt: how nails were painted thousands of years ago

Ancient Egypt was renowned for its beauty rituals. People believed that taking care of the body strengthened their connection with the gods and aided their journey into the afterlife. Even the appearance of fingernails held significance. Egyptians turned the process of creating a manicure into a full-fledged ritual.

Nails as a social marker: from pharaohs to slaves

In Ancient Egypt, a manicure indicated one's social status. Henna was used as a dye, and the richer the colour, the higher a person’s position in society. For instance, pharaohs and members of their families would colour their nails with bright red henna, often mixed with gold dust or frankincense. This custom highlighted their divine origin, as red was associated with Isis, the goddess who protected both the living and the dead.

Ordinary Egyptians also used henna, but their manicures were more modest, usually a single, less vibrant shade. Slaves and labourers often only dyed the nail beds, which helped protect their hands from cracking and infections.

Henna as an antiseptic

Aside from its aesthetic use, henna also had practical value. Egyptians noticed that it prevented fungal infections and strengthened nails. Modern research confirms that henna contains lawsone, compounds with antimicrobial properties. This explains why Ancient Egyptian workers, who often came into contact with sand and clay, used henna on their nails.

Manicure for the afterlife

The Egyptians believed that the body had to be perfectly prepared for the journey to the realm of the dead: Duat. During mummification, the deceased's nails were dyed with henna. This ritual symbolised eternal life: red was associated with the sun, which, according to Egyptian belief, was reborn each morning.

Ancient Techniques: how they created a “manicure”

The George Ebers Medical Papyrus, dating back to 1550 BC, mentions various ways henna was used. For strengthening the nails, a mixture of henna, honey, and crushed eggshell was recommended. Nail dyeing recipes were passed down through generations. The process could take several hours: a paste was applied to the nails, the fingers wrapped in linen cloth, and later rinsed off. The result could last up to a month.

The legacy of Ancient Egyptian manicures today

The tradition of dyeing nails with henna has survived to this day. Some beauty salons offer this type of natural manicure. Egyptian patterns have also made their way into modern nail art. Spirals, geometric shapes, and solar symbols can all be seen in the work of today’s nail artists.