What are the origins of painting fingernails?

Answer 1

It began 5000 years ago. In India, henna was used for manicure. Painting nails with pictures, or symbols, was a religious practice carried out by both men and women.

The earliest reported usage of nail polish appears to originate in early China (around 3000BC). Finger nails were grown as a mark of aristocracy and were admired and envied by everyone. Only people who were very wealthy could grow long fingernails and this then became a status symbol. Colour has always been used to represent social class. Gold and Silver were the colours worn by royalty in the Chou Dynasty (600 BC). After that the royals were usually seen to be wearing black or red on their nails.

The Ancient Egyptians would also indulge in a spot of nail painting. Again royalty had their own colours that they used. Cleopatria, the most famous ruler of Egypt would always wear a rusty red colour on her nails. This colour was therefore reserved for her and her alone. Anyone else caught wearing this colour would have been executed!

Answer 2

The ancient Egyptians painted their fingernails with henna, also the palms of their hands and soles of their feet, for festive occasions. Like all other cosmetics, henna had a religious function as well as a hygenic one.

This was happening as early as the time of the Great Pyramid, or about 2900 BC. As far as I know, this is the first instance of someone "painting their fingernails."

Answer 3

accidents.

Answer 4

Africa