Cross tattoos are a popular choice if you’re looking for a design that’s iconic and rich with symbolism. But the origin of the cross design is unknown. The cross is one of the oldest and most basic designs known to humans. It has been used to decorate all manner of things including pottery and cloth for as long as humans can remember.

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

Eventually, due to the rise of Christianity and the cross being a sign of execution by crucifixion, it became a symbol of Jesus’s death and subsequent resurrection. The Christian cross (a vertical line intersected at right angles approximately one third from the top) is used by followers to profess their faith and the clergy to bestow blessings. These days Christian tattoos are an exceptionally popular way for people to express their Christian faith

So why are cross tattoos so popular?

The cross design has a number of practical advantages. To begin with, it’s widely recognised and socially acceptable in most places. But beyond that it can be scaled to almost any size, placed anywhere on the body and can be combined with virtually any tattoo design. For example, it could be used in conjunction with flowers, words, animals etc to add greater meaning and individuality to the design. For these reasons a cross design is a popular choice of first tattoo with millions of people.

And finally, as already mentioned they convey a wide range of meanings to a wide range of people. However, cross tattoos are not only a sign of religious faith. Due to the number of symbolic meanings that can be held by the wearer of a tattooed cross, one person may use it to represent their religious beliefs while another person may just like the design. However, for the purposes of this article, we’ll consider the main types of religious cross tattoo designs.

1) The Latin Cross

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

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

2) The Celtic Cross

Celtic cross tattoos are one of the best looking and most 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 cross over. Alternatively the border of the cross is surrounded by a series of Celtic knots.

These Celtic knots are designed in such as way that the strands of the design have no beginning and no end. This simple and elegant design is taken as a powerful symbol of the never ending nature of human life, while the knot itself represents the joining together of the physical and spiritual 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 heritage.

3) The St. Andrew’s Cross

The St Andrew’s cross differs from the traditional style of cross as it is shaped more like an X than a T. History says that the St Andrew’s cross came about after St Peter (who felt he was unworthy of the same death as his Lord) was crucified upside down. St Andrew followed the same belief and so the modified cross became linked to his name.

So these cross tattoos are great if you want to be slightly different from the rest of the crowd. And as St Andrew is the Patron Saint of Scotland, these cross tattoos are ideal for people with Scottish links who want to pay tribute to their ancestors.

Thinking about a new tattoo? Find out everything you want to know about cross tattoos from Gustavo Gomez at SuperTattooDesigns.com

Post from: Tattoo Designs And Ideas

Cross Tattoos – The Symbolic Meaning Of Religious Designs

You do not have to be particularly religious to have a cross design tattoo. However, many people do have spiritual beliefs and the cross often symbolizes those beliefs for them. Whilst many of us see the cross in only one way, it has actually been redesigned over the years and different beliefs use it in a different way. So, if your intention is to have a cross design tattoo for yourself, make sure that you learn a little more about them beforehand in order to get the right type of tattoo for you.

Non Christian Crosses

If you are looking for a non traditional, non Christian cross tattoo design, there are actually many to choose from. It all depends upon your beliefs or your own individual taste as to which ones you actually finally decide upon. Some of the most popular non-Christian crosses include:

The Greek Cross

This design in particular dates back quite a while. It is supposed to symbolize the sky and the God ‘Anu’ and it has also been linked as a sun worship symbol throughout the years.

The Tau Cross

Whilst this is widely used for non-Christian designs, it is still used in Christian designs too. The T shape in the design is used to symbolize the hammer of Thor and in some ancient Mayan inscriptions, there are people captured worshiping with a T-shaped cross and a bird perched on its horizontal arm. As well as that, this cross has also been used to represent the God ‘Tammuz’.

The Chinese Cross

Many people love the Chinese tattoo designs and the Chinese cross is certainly no different. The cross itself is associated with the Chinese ideogram for the word ‘earth’. Some Chinese people go by the old saying that ‘God fashioned the earth in the form of a cross’ and that is where their cross tattoo comes from. Many people who are not Chinese themselves, like the way that the Chinese think about this type of cross and that is what spurs them on to get one of their own.

Gothic Crosses

The Gothic cross has become more and more popular as time as gone on. There are many fans of the Gothic theme and Gothic crosses have fast caught up with Christian crosses as people like the way that they look. The cross itself is generally dark colored and it is designed in a Germanic style. They are associated with Anne Rice’s New Orleans tales.

Overall there are a large range of non-Christian crosses and the ones listed above are some of the most popular. So, if you are thinking of using a non-Christian cross as a tattoo design, ensure that you find out the true meanings behind them before rushing ahead and having one done regardless.

Search our huge database of over 3500 tattoo designs in 40 categories. Browse leisurely without pressure. Zero in on the design of a lifetime. Artwork is printable. Visit our Online Tattoo MegaGallery

Post from: Tattoo Designs And Ideas

Cross Tattoo Designs