Christian Tattooing

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By relache


Jesus and Mary tattooed sleeve


Doesn't the Bible forbid Tattoos?

In the Leviticus section of the Bible, you will find a passage that sometimes says something about not making marks on the flesh, and sometimes outright says "no tattooing." It will depend on the modernity of the translation. However the idea is pretty much the same, and it's a seriously debated point amongst those who are strongly religious.

However, in the world of tattooing, there is a very strong presence of Christian symbolism and designs and it seems to have always been a part of Western culture. Portraits of Jesus and Mary abound, as do renderings of the Last Supper, backpieces of the Rock of Ages, and more. Crosses, in endless variation, are one of the most popular tattoo designs presently.

A wide-range of modern Christians now feel that the passage in the Bible speaks only to emblems not of their own faith, and take no shame in wearing skin art that illustrates their beliefs. Some people feel the imagery is a constant reminder of the divine and makes them feel closer to God. Others have gotten religious tattoos as symbols of healing or re-birth.




Soccer and Spirituality

The winged cross on the neck of soccer star David Beckham.  His back is tattooed with a large cross and his right upper arm has a large tattoo of an angel on it.
The winged cross on the neck of soccer star David Beckham. His back is tattooed with a large cross and his right upper arm has a large tattoo of an angel on it.

Religious Rant About Tattoos

Christian Symbols in Tattooing

Angels - Tattooed angels range from cute little cherubs up to elaborate renditions of Seraphim.

Cross - supposedly way back in the Crusades, Christian knights had little crosses tattooed on their hands so that if they fell in battle, their wish for a Christian burial would be known. Whether large or small, ornate or plain, on public view or hidden, a cross emblem is probably the most popular Christian tattoo.

Portraits - Many people commission their tattooist to do a portrait of Jesus, Mary or their patron saint.

Religious scenes - These can be renditions of Bible scenes or reproductions of famous paintings that are Bible-oriented. One extremely popular tattoo image isn't from the Bible at all: it's the Rock of Ages, showing a woman clinging to a rock in the midst of stormy seas.

Quotes and scripture - Some people have Biblical passages tattooed on them, and others just have the book and chapter numbers tattooed.

Robert DeNiro in CAPE FEAR (with director Martin Scorsese)

DeNiro's character, convict-out-for-revenge Max Cady, was covered in tattoos, many of which taken from Biblical imagery.  Scales of justice were rendered as a cross-themed full-back tattoo with multiple Bible quote tattoos on the chest and arms.
DeNiro's character, convict-out-for-revenge Max Cady, was covered in tattoos, many of which taken from Biblical imagery. Scales of justice were rendered as a cross-themed full-back tattoo with multiple Bible quote tattoos on the chest and arms.

What do you think about Christian tattoos?

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Maddie Ruud profile image

Maddie Ruud  says:
17 months ago

"If your body is a temple, why wouldn't you want to decorate the walls?"

livelonger profile image

livelonger  says:
17 months ago

Ha ha! Great quote. I'm a tattoo fan, too. I've had my arm tattoo for 11 years now. :)

lc_customs  says:
16 months ago

anything one does to there body could be considered descration. tattoo's dont change peoples beliefs or make you a better or worse person. its a form of art that people should and can enjoy!

red23 profile image

red23  says:
15 months ago

Christian Tatooing. I would have never guessed.

Thanks.

Adam Griffin  says:
14 months ago

Galations 6 : 17

From now on let no one couse me trouble, for I bear on my body the mark of Christ Jesus. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Chist be with your Spirit.

Patty Inglish, MS profile image

Patty Inglish, MS  says:
14 months ago

In the New Testament, Paul says that Christians can do anything at all, but should be prudent in choices that might lead others to harm. So, I think from there it is a matter of personal judgment/choice. While I don't care for tattoos myself, I respect a couple of people in the shop on Miami Ink VERY much, because they are professional and take thier work seriously as an art and a service to people that will help them memorialize loved ones and events. (In the Old Testament, Leviticus 19:28 says, 'Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves.I am the Lord." -- tatoos were made for superstituous beliefs at someone's death to frighten away evil spirits. God said that was not necessary, to have those superstitions any more.) Nice HUB!

relache profile image

relache  says:
14 months ago

What a lot of people don't realize is that the word "tattoo" didn't come into the English language until the Europeans discovered Tahiti and their word "tatu" so whatever was really said in the OT was something different and the use of tattoo there is just a modern translation.

Patty Inglish, MS profile image

Patty Inglish, MS  says:
14 months ago

relache, that's exactly right! I'll have to ask a Hebrew professors I know about the original language. I can't remember what I read about it long ago - seems that the word meant something like 'tribal marking cut into the skin", but I I could be wrong. Anyway, peoplE with the Christian tattoos here look like living stained glass to me - AMAZING!

Christian Tattoos  says:
13 months ago

My tattoos are a witness to others of what I believe in. I'm a girl with a lot of tattoos and people cannot believe I'm a Christian but I sure am!

Why shouldn't we be able to paint our bodies as a Sign of love to The Lord while others can paint paintings as a sign of their love?

LOTLMCgod

jaymz profile image

jaymz  says:
10 months ago

My mom is uber-religious and finds my tattoos unnecessary and against the bible. I have newly found religion, and believe not that she's wrong, but that it's ok. I can't remember the line in the Bible, but I believe there is a quote saying that body art is ok in the eyes of the Lord. But, again I don't realy recall...

I believe that God gave us all a canvass to live with and he gave us all the choice to do with it as we will. So, one can either go through life with a blank canvass or go through life decorated. And, it's a personal choice.

Truth_Seeker7 profile image

Truth_Seeker7  says:
8 months ago

Besides God doesn't look at the outward appearance but at the heart and the flesh is corruptible and will expire someday anyway. I have considered having a tattoo one of my favorite place and the scripture Numbers 6:24 which is one of my favorite scriptures. Great info here :)

solarshingles profile image

solarshingles  says:
6 months ago

Every one is her/his own master...enjoy it, if you like it

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