Religious Tattoos - Religious Tattoo Designs

Religious tattoos have become one of the hottest sectors of the tattoo industry, accounting for nearly 20% of the total number of tattoos currently being created. Once condemned by the church as “a form of deviltry,” religious tattoo designs have now become a great way for modern-day Christians to express a commitment to their faith in a new and radical way.
 
Religious tattoos in the western world can be traced back to the days of Anglo Saxon culture. Getting a religious tattoo became so prevalent during this time that time that the council of Northumberland in 787 A.D. had to pass legislation to prevent its widespread practice. This of course didn’t stop crusaders who were entering the Holy Land to get crosses on their hands so people would know they wanted a Christian burial. And in Egypt, the first country to adopt Christianity as its official region, a visit to the holy land was considered to be invalid without some form of religious souvenir.

Today religious tattoos are extremely popular with both evangelical Christians and people of more secular beliefs as a way to make an outward statement of their faith. Of these, Angel tattoos and cross tattoos seem to dominate the Christian tattoo market, with many varieties of each being available. Some in the church community point to scripture in the book of Leviticus that says ‘Do not put tattoo markings on yourself.”  But many will counter that the verse directly before that one says we shouldn’t shave…and nobody considers not shaving a sin. (Well at least we hope nobody does.)

Of course religious tattoos aren’t limited to those of a Christian nature. Self mortification has long been an important element of religious doctrine, and many of the tattoos of the East and Pacific Islands are created because of the religious significance they possess. Whether it be Maori tribes in New Zealand who believe the tribal tattoos on the face allow them to be recognized by spirits in the after-life, or Lakota American Indians who believe that an owl woman inspects their body after death for a tattoo, and if not found will deny them admittance to the spirit world.

What is clear is that getting a religious tattoo isn’t simply a charm or a decorative device, but for many is an outward sign of belief and a way to get closer to their chosen representation of God.