Friday, January 27th, 2012...5:08 am

Tattoos Of Crosses – What Do Tattoo Crosses Mean

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Cross tattoos really are a preferred option if you want a design that’s iconic and abundant with symbolism. However the origin of the tattoos of crosses design is unidentified. The cross is one of the oldest and most basic designs known to humans. Many experts have used to beautify many things such as pottery and fabric so long as people could remember.

In olden days the cross was used as a part of the Aztec, Egyptian, Greek and Norse civilizations for many centuries. The symbol of the cross was also utilized by various pagan religions that pre-date Christianity by thousands of years, and as a consequence cross tattoos are nearly as old as the cross design itself.

Eventually, due to the increase of Christianity and the cross being a sign of execution by crucifixion, it started to be a symbol of Jesus’s death and following resurrection. The Christian cross (a vertical line intersected at right angles approximately one third from the top) is used by enthusiasts to profess their faith and the clergy to give blessings. These days Christian tattoos are usually an exceptionally preferred way for men and women to express their Christian faith

So why are tattoos of crosses so popular?

The cross design has a wide variety of functional benefits. To begin with, it is broadly recognised and socially acceptable in the majority of places. But beyond that it can be scaled to almost any size, placed anywhere on the human body and can be combined with virtually any tattoo design.

Last but not least, as mentioned previously they express an array of meanings to a wide range of people. Nevertheless, cross tattoos are not only a sign of religious faith. As a result of number of symbolic meanings which can be held by the wearer of a tattooed cross, a single person may use it to represent their religious beliefs while another person could like the design. Nevertheless, for the functions of this article, we will think about the principal types of religious cross tattoo designs.

1) The Latin Cross

The design of the Latin cross is among the most instantly recognisable in the world. It consists of a vertical line that is intersected at right angles with a shorter horizonal line about one third of the way from the top, and as such is the design most tightly associated with Christianity.

This easy cross design is a great option for a first time tattoo. The look can be scaled to any size, it’s socially acceptable, it has a great deal of religious and spiritual meanings and it can be added to by further designs in the future. As an example, if you have a simple latin cross, you could include a dove to the design to represent peace, you could include a shamrock to represent the Irish culture, or you could add the name and date of death to pay tribute to special someone who has died.

2) The Celtic Cross

Celtic cross tattoos are probably the greatest looking and a lot of symbolic designs available. The basic design involves a standard latin style or Christian cross with a Celtic knot placed over the area where both lines overlap. Additionally the border of the cross is flanked by a series of Celtic knots.

These Celtic knots were created in such as way that the strands of the design have no beginning and no end. This simple and elegant style is taken as a powerful symbol of the endless nature of human life, while the knot itself represents the joining together of the physical and religious worlds.

The Celtic cross makes a great tattoo design and thanks to its long and symbolic history it is extremely popular among people from Scotland, Ireland and Wales who have pride in their Celtic history.

3) The St. Andrew’s Cross

The St Andrew’s cross is different from the standard style of cross as it is formed similar to an X than a T. History states that the St Andrew’s cross came to exist after St Peter (who sensed he was not worthy of a similar death as his Lord) was crucified inverted. St Andrew followed the same belief and so the altered cross became associated with his name.

So these tattoos of crosses are great in order to be slightly different from the remainder of the crowd. And as St Andrew is the Patron Saint of Scotland, these cross tattoos are fantastic for people with Scottish links who want to pay honor to their forebears.

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