Tattoos have been around for centuries and thanks to innovative tattoo artists there is no limit to how unique and beautiful tattoos can be seen nowadays. In the midst of all the new and unique designs, you will surely have seen the cross tattoo design.
Surprisingly cross tattoo design is one of the oldest tattoo designs which is still popular in current times. The cross is a symbol that is not unknown to the world, being closely related to the religion Christianity. But that doesn’t mean only Christians wear the cross tattoo. Over the centuries there have been other religions that have some significance with the cross in their beliefs! The cross may also mean various things which are why despite someone’s religious beliefs anybody can have the cross tattooed on their body.
So what does the cross tattoo mean? Let’s dive in deep to explore the meaning of the magnificent cross tattoo!
Key Takeaways
- The cross sign carried a negative meaning and it existed before Christianity came to be. After the crucifixion of Christ on the cross, the cross became a symbol of religious faith.
- Cross may bear various meanings depending on which body part it resides in or what design or shape it has.
- There are also different types of cross tattoos that have their own meaning behind them.
History of Cross Tattoo
You could say the cross tattoo is a timeless tattoo that has been around for centuries and it never gets old! The cross sign existed way before Christianity came into existence. Before associating with Christianity, heinous criminals used to get executed on the cross as it meant a shameful way to die. Particularly for the Romans of classical antiquity, it was an object of horror. Simply put, the cross was something negative.
After the crucifixion of Christ which happened on a cross, the cross became a symbol of faith and much more. No longer it was a sign of shame or anything negative. The cross became a symbol of faith, devotion, eternal love, forgiveness, and more.
Back in 1095 – 1291, crusaders started to use the cross tattoo as a show of devotion to their religion. Christian crusaders would get the cross tattoos on their arms as a symbol of faith and unity. They would look at the cross tattoo whenever they felt low in morale or felt hesitant in their holy war. So you could say the crusaders brought the tattoo into popularity. As time went by more and more people started to get this tac.
Thanks to the modification of the design the meaning of the cross tattoo became more than just a show of faith.
There has been always a debate on if getting a tattoo or a cross tattoo is sinful or not. But history says the debate never stopped anyone from getting one. And the number of cross tatts only increased over time.
General Meaning of Cross Tattoo
Nowadays cross is not just limited to the meaning of faith. The tattoo can mean various things now depending on the design. You can modify it according to your personality to give it a unique twist and a unique meaning. For example, you can include a name on your cross tattoo to show respect to deceased ones or add a rose to the cross to show purity and joy.
Here I will list the most popular meaning of the cross tattoo and later I will dive into the details.
- Spirituality
- Peace
- Forgiveness
- Unconditional Love
- Sacrifice
- Life & Death
- Sacrifice
- Rebirth
- Faith
Cross Tattoo Placement & Their Meaning
A cross tattoo that has the same design may hold different meanings depending on which body part the tattoo resides in.
Here I am listing the most common places people get a cross tattoo and what meaning they hold:
Cross tattoo on hand meaning
Many Christians especially Coptic Christians of Egypt get the cross tattoo on their right hand. They usually get it around the right wrist. It used to show unity among the Christians who went through hard times in the past. But now the meaning has changed a bit, now the tattoo means resistance.
It may also mean masculinity, strength, justice, etc. That is why it is quite common for young Christian men to get a cross tattoo on their right wrist.
Cross tattoo meaning on the face
You may not see this tattoo every day, because it is quite limited to a certain group of people. Mostly criminals or people who are serving in jail get a cross tattoo on their face. It means rebelling against society, standing out from the norm, and intimidation.
That being said, you can go for a cross tattoo on your face but make sure to modify it so it can bear a beautiful meaning instead of what it is mostly used for.
Cross tattoo under the eye meaning
This one is not so popular nowadays but back in the day cross tattoo under the eye was moderately popular. Christians living in Muslim dominant land used to get this tattoo. It means reverence and defiance depending on a personal point of view.
Cross on the chest meaning
A big cross on the middle of the chest means Prince of thieves. This tattoo is worn by Russian prisoners and whoever gets this tattoo is considered someone special and honorable.
That being said, a small cross on either side of the chest can be worn by anyone and it simply means your Christianity is close to your heart and you are a devoted Christian.
Cross on the neck meaning
It means your religious belief is strong and you are not shying away from it. You are bold and won’t hesitate to make a tough decision for the sake of your belief.
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16 Types of Cross Tattoos and Their Meaning
Over time cross tattoos got many changes and modifications hence changing the meaning. Here I will list the most popular form or design of cross tatts and their meaning. Who knows, maybe one of them could be something that you could be rocking in the future!
1. Three Cross Tattoo
As the name suggests this cross tattoo contains three crosses. Depending on point of view it can mean two things.
Firstly, the father (God), son (Jesus), and the holy spirit. And the second meaning is Jesus Christ, Gesta, and Dismas. If you don’t know Gesta and Dismas are the other individuals who got crucified along with Christ.
2. Rose Cross Tattoo
Usually rose cross tattoo has a big rose and a cross in the middle. This tattoo also has two meanings. In Christianity, the rose is a sign of joy and purity. So Christians believe the rose cross tattoo symbolizes happiness, purity, and martyrdom.
For English people, it carries a different meaning. English flag has a cross and the rose is the national flower of England. So the rose cross tattoo means a show of patriotism for the English people.
3. Cross with Wings
Wings are associated with angels. So the cross with wings tattoo can mean the wearer of the tattoo has their guardian angel or the deceased loved person watching over them. It may also represent the freedom one feels after embracing Christianity.
People may associate the cross with other things so to make sure people understand some use the face of Christ on their cross tat. It is a bold and strong move to show everyone the Christian symbolism the wearer carries.
4. Cross Tattoo with The Face of Jesus
Many even modify and adds more meaning to it. Such as adding a halo to mean resurrection, blood drops to mean suffering, etc.
5. Cross with Flower
In Christianity flowers such as roses, iris, lilies, and jasmine represent mother mary.
You will notice plenty of flower designs in churches, weddings, and even at funerals. So adding a white flower such as this may mean purity and cleanness.
6. Tiny Cross
If you are shy to get a vibrant and big tattoo, then feel free to go with a tiny cross tat. As a tiny tattoo can be placed anywhere on your body while also reflecting your religious belief.
Most people get these tiny crosses on their wrists so that they can see them whenever they want.
7. Vision of Crucifixion
You can get a tattoo that shows how Christ was crucified, this tattoo means self-sacrifice for the good of others. It can also mean true freedom can achieve by death.
8. Cross with heart
Cross with a heart is one of the most popular body art among Christian men who are to be married. The tattoo means to love and faith. It doesn’t have to be romantic necessarily. As many believe this artwork to be the ultimate love of god.
You can modify it by adding a crown of thorns that shows the pain Christ felt during the crucifixion.
9. Maltese Cross
The Maltese cross is not very popular so you can go for it as a unique cross tac. If you look into the history it dates back to the 16th century. It means valor and dauntlessness.
10. Tribal Crosses
Tribal cross tatts are mostly done in black ink, but as you know there are no set rules when it comes to tatts. People choose to get this popular tattoo in various colors instead of any other tribal tattoo. You don’t have to worry about being in a particular tribe as most people get this tattoo for the design rather than which tribe they belong to.
A tribal tattoo that shows one’s faith in Christianity! Not to mention it gives a masculine vibe that fits well with men. No wonder the tribal cross is one of the most famous tribal tattoos.
11. Ankh Cross
The Ankh cross belongs to the Egyptians. More so than a cross, this was key in the Egyptian beliefs in the shape of what became a cross later on. The Ankh is the Egyptian word for life and the Ankh cross symbolizes life itself as a result! Many people get it to signify the importance of life or after a life-changing event.
You could have an Ankh cross with designs inspired by ancient Egyptian gods, hieroglyphics, or even ancient Egyptian structures!
12. Unique Cross
Unique cross gives you the freedom to include your own personality or what you want to be in your tattoo. If you want to be courageous and ferocious you can put a tiger on your cross.
You can take inspiration from the Bible and use an ox, eagle, and lion which respectively represent St Luke, St John, and St Mark.
13. Irish Cross
You can call this body art an ancient one as it is more than a thousand years old. The design is not very complex, basically a Celtic-style cross with defined rings. An Irish or Celtic cross tattoo may mean eternal life, eternity, a halo, and unconditional love.
Even though it is most popular among Irish and Celtic Christian men, anybody who holds Christianity close to their heart can wear this tattoo.
14. Name in Cross
This is probably the most used and respectable way to honor a deceased person through a tattoo. You can simply use a deceased person’s name combined with a cross which is simple yet such a strong way to honor the dead. This tattoo is mostly used by army men to show respect to their fallen comrades.
Now there is another meaning of this tac. It can also mean someone very precious to you. So a father can tattoo his children’s name in a cross tattoo to show love and closeness.
15. Dove Cross Tattoo
You can simply put a dove around your cross to get a dove cross tattoo, quite simply. Dove is used as a symbol of calmness or peace. So when you use dove with a cross it means your faith is pure and calm and your heart is at peace with your belief.
You can play around with the design and go for a dark theme like a bent cross with a dark or sickly dove.
16. Halo Cross Tattoo
Halo is not something new for Christians. The halo sign means holiness. But when you put a cross and a halo together you should include a name too, it is a way to remember deceased loved ones or someone special who is not with you anymore.
FAQs
How old do I have to be to get a tattoo?
Depends on the country you are living in. In the United States according to federal law, you have to be at least 18 years old to get a tattoo.
Is it a sin to get a cross tattoo?
The debate of whether it’s a sin or not has been going on for decades. Still no conclusion to the debate, so you have to listen to your heart. If you believe it would be a sin then don’t bother getting a cross tattoo, if you believe it will help you stay strong to your religious belief then go for it.
Can anyone wear a cross tattoo?
Yes, anyone can wear a cross tattoo provided that it is not defamatory or depicts gore or any aspect. As long as it is respectful, you can wear any type of cross tattoo you would like.
Final Thoughts
The cross tattoo is not only ancient but also one of the most used tattoos in the world. Two peculiar reasons for this is it is a symbol of religious belief and it can be modified to bear various meaning depending on one’s personality. For example, a simple cross shows your devotion and faith towards Christianity and just adding a simple rose to the design can mean purity and happiness along with your faith. Anyone can get a cross tattoo but be sure to find out the meaning behind a tattoo such as this. The meaning could change and you wouldn’t want to offend anyone’s beliefs with a misinterpreted cross tattoo!
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