Let's make some noise with our nails! Let them remind everyone that on June 19th, 1865, all Black American slaves were finally freed. Although President Lincoln had declared the Emancipation Proclamation two years prior, word hadn't reached Confederate-controlled Texas. When the Union army finally arrived there, people prayed, sang, feasted, and put on new clothes to commemorate their freedom.
Each year afterward, there were celebrations to remember the occasion. June 19th became an official holiday in Texas more than 100 years later and it was finally recognized as a US federal holiday in 2021. That’s why we’re looking at Juneteenth nails for summer this year. We want to remember the past, honor this crucial change, and work for a more just future.
Juneteenth Nail Designs
African Heritage Nails
Juneteenth is a celebration of African American culture and achievements, a day to honor ancestors, and a reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and justice. You’ll see nail art that recalls African heritage and modern struggles, with symbols like Black Power and Black Lives Matter.
Pan-African Colors
Juneteenth nail designs often focus on the Pan-African colors of red, black, and green. Red stands for the blood spilled in the struggle for equality and freedom. Green represents growth and a prosperous future. Black symbolizes the people and their resilience.
Yellow is another popular color in Juneteenth nail art. It signifies the sun and the hope for a brighter future.
Lavis Gel Polish 224 - Scarlet Colors - Pomegranate Red
LDS Gel Polish 103 - Yellow Colors - Sun Shines on My Mind
LDS Gel Polish 138 - Green Colors - Jade
Lavis Gel Polish Super Black
Juneteenth Is More than a Party
The tireless efforts of activists like Opal Lee, the “Grandmother of Juneteenth”, played a vital role in Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday in 2021. Yes, it's a time to celebrate, but it's also a time to remember the dark days that came before. When she was a child, her parents bought a home in a white neighborhood. It was burned to the ground by whites on June 19th. Incidents like that remind us that hearts and minds still need to change.
Free-Ish Since 1865
When people ask, be honest. We are not all free until all of us are. Unfortunately, it often falls on oppressed groups to educate others and advocate for change. Juneteenth nails can be a conversation starter.
Prints, Shapes, and Symbols
Juneteenth decorations celebrate African American history and culture with vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and meaningful representations. For example, Adinkra symbols from West Africa are a popular choice, but you may also see Kente cloth motifs. All of these stylish emblems recall the ancestral roots of Black Americans. Moreover, Juneteenth nail art can include the red and blue Juneteenth flag, or broken shackles. Any way you paint it, nail art like this allows people to connect with and share their heritage. And if you need a larger canvas for your commemorative nail art, we’ve got the best soft gel tips for you.
Build Your Own - Gel X
Summer Juneteenth Nails
French tips are an elegant style for summertime. They just feel refreshing. Combine symbolic colors and patterns with a touch of sparkle for a contemporary yet commemorative twist.
DND Gel Polish - 546 Gold Colors - Golden Gardens, WA
A Royal Heritage
You could also explore Black History Month nail themes for Juneteenth nails. For example, add a crown to remind yourself of your value and honor your heritage. It can be a tribute to your ancestors who paved the way.
Celebrate Blackness
Here, each nail reflects the pride and beauty of Black culture. There are Black women with natural hairstyles and golden jewelry. The crown-like design reminds us of regal heritage, as do the golden nails. And the matte black tips could stand for pride and acceptance.
Symbols for Juneteenth Nails
Black cultural symbols express the history, struggles, and triumphs of the African diaspora. Here are a few symbols that are widely recognized within the Black community:
The clenched fist is an emblem of solidarity, strength, and resistance. It’s linked to the Black Power movement and communicates unity and collective action against oppression.
The crown represents dignity, pride, and a royal heritage. It can also stand for leadership. Then, there’s the Egyptian ankh, the symbol for life.
Adinkra symbols originate from the Akan people of Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. They include Dwennimmen (strength with humility), Gye Nyame (the supremacy of God), and Sankofa (learning from the past). There are also Kente symbols from Ghana. One is Obaakofo Mmu Man that means “one person does not rule a nation.” Another is Abusua Ye Dom, “the extended family is a force”.
On a historical level, Juneteenth art could include references to the date or portraits of Black leaders. It might feature the official red and blue flag with a white star bursting in the middle to signal a new era of freedom.
All of these representations can add even more depth and meaning to Juneteenth nails this summer.
Raised in Remembrance
These 3D nails recall that 1865 was the year that African Americans finally received word of their emancipation. The gradient design with various brown tones is a lovely background to the antique style of the numbers.
Juneteenth Was Almost but Not Quite the End of Slavery
The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, declared slaves in Confederate-held territory to be free, but it did not end slavery in the Union-held Border States. On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Texas and announced the end of the Civil War and the end of slavery, an event now celebrated as Juneteenth. However, the complete abolition of slavery across the entire United States only came with the ratification of the 13th Amendment in December 1865. This amendment made slavery and involuntary servitude illegal, except as punishment for a crime. So, while the Emancipation Proclamation and Juneteenth were significant milestones, the legal end of slavery in the USA only really came with the 13th Amendment.
Conclusion
We invite you to declare freedom and equality while you remember the importance of Juneteenth. Wear your summer manicure with pride. In the same way that freed slaves marked that historic day with new clothes and celebrations, we invite you to decorate your nails with the colors, patterns, and symbols that tell the Juneteenth story.
Take this opportunity to express yourself and be part of living history. To help you bring these designs to life, we’ve got excellent deals on nail art supplies. View our home page to see the latest sales.
Source:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Juneteenth
Slavery is Abolished (nationalgeographic.org)