The Cross Tattoo Culture

The option to get or not get a tattoo is a personal one. Many people have strong feelings about both sides. "Tattoos: The Ultimate In Expression" is better supported because it provides real-world scenarios from real people.

The cross could be interpreted as a positive icon for the Spaniards, yet villainous to the Indians. The focal point the filmmaker might have made, however, was the cross bringing order to a “daunting” people.

Tattoos have been around throughout our history, from Egyptian times to the present day. Many people may say they know the history of tattoos, and where they originate from, but do they really? Does one know that there were reasons that some people had tattoos? There may be people who know the actual history of tattoos and body art and why one would decide to get one; however there are people who do not. To be able to understand the idea of tattoos, one should educate themselves to the history of tattoos. Although tattoos have been considered taboo and a stereotype, history reveals that this particular form of body art has been used for self expression, status and

A tattoo can indicate many wonderful things such as representing a lost loved one or someone who impacted their life tremendously. When someone has gotten a tattoo to help them stay connected to a loved one that they have lost, it’s a reminder that they are still around emotionally and spiritually. A perfect example would be that a woman named Theresa, got a tattoo of a lighthouse and a compass in a storm on her forearm. It’s to show that her late wife that passed away a few years ago leaving her as a widow is still around her and in her thoughts and memories. Theresa’s inspiration was that her wife Kelly, was the “light of her life” all while Theresa was “the light” of her wife’s life. (Holl). Another woman got a tattoo of “a large butterfly with my little sister’s name in the wing” (Wilson) to represent the life and memory of her little sister. Angie chose the butterfly because it also reminded her not only of her sister, but also her best friend. Whom she loved both dearly.

which translates to “of the cross” thus, symbolizing sacrifice and suffering. It is believed that the

For some people tattoos are being used as a known accessory, the reason on why do people make the decision to get them is hardly if ever even questioned. The pain, the stereotypes, and the misconceptions that are often associated with tattoos would pose the question as to why would you choose to get a tattoo. Tattoos can be personal and good way of expressing yourself. Most people, they are shown as different symbols that each have an equal level of significance. The essential of each tattoo have each found the symbolism of them, and their cultural relevance has consistently been a trend found throughout history, religion, and art.

Symbolism expresses the dangers of appearing different than the true image of God is expressed. Firstly, the Fringes follow the same principles as Waknuk but with opposite rules, for if you appear different you will be frowned upon. As advised by Sophie to Rosalind and Petra by saying “You must get rid of that cross… It marks you. We women in the Fringes do not feel that it has served us very well. Then men resent it, too” (176). The cross represents normality because it shows how those who wear it still have faith in God and that He did not betray them. If one was caught wearing the cross, they will be shunned and becomes exiled. Secondly, the deviations are not identified

Wearing this cross shows that a person is “bearing their cross” just like Jesus did when He was being crucified. A lot of Copts, especially those who were born in Egypt and came to the United States, have a cross tattooed on the inside of their wrist. It is more common to find those who were born in Egypt to have this small tattoo because they get it from a very young age, but it is becoming more popular that youth who were born in the United States to get a bigger and more dramatic form of the tattoo when they grow up. This also symbolizes a person bearing their cross but in a different way than just wearing a necklace. I, personally, always wear my necklace but have yet to get a tattoo on my wrist. Also, priests of the Coptic Orthodox faith are required to wear a black tunic at all times and must grow a beard from the time that they become a priest.

It symbolized the taking of the vow. The Cross not only set apart the crusader from the rest of the people but it also showed his status and was a reminder of his vow. The cross also symbolized the power and glory of God and God’s protection of the crusaders, and the power of redemption.2 Another religious manifestation was divine signs. One of the many divine signs was the cross. The cross became a sign of physical sacrifice.

The Cross as the symbol of Christianity was embraced as late as in the fourth century. It is certain that the Rood of Christ was often likened to a tree which can be known when the Rood said, “That was very long ago, I remember it still, that I was cut down from the edge of the wood, ripped from by my roots” (lines 28-30). The Ruthwell Cross, runic characters, being the most striking example of a combination of Celtic artistic tradition known as being interwoven with human and animal figures, biblical scenes and other things that were Christ based later developed into the poem of The Dream of the Rood, all form together to give you an overtly Christian

Different cultures tattoo for different reasons like, protection, rank in society, adornment of the body and coming of age. Regardless of why people are tattooed, they have been tattooing since before the birth of Christ.

From the Stone Age to the present day, the symbols and traditions of tattooing throughout history are fascinating.

The Cross has a variety of symbolic and religious meanings that can be interpreted from a Pagan viewpoint and Christian viewpoint,

The history of tattooing date back to the first man, Otzi, in 3300 B.C. who was found frozen in the Alps (Nat-A-Tat2) and the history piercing date back to different primitive tribes for their beliefs (Tribu). Scientists say that the tattoos he had were for medical reasons. When they found his body, they took X-rays and where there were tattoos was where his bones had started to decay. His tattoos were on his back, knees, ankles, and feet. The ink used on his tattoos was made of powdered charcoal and rubbing it into his cut skin. Many ancient civilizations did tattoos and piercings for example the Egyptians, Greeks, Japanese, Arabian and Siberians. Many mummies have been found with tattoos and are the oldest bodies to be found with gauged or stretched earlobes (Tibu). The Egyptians were also the ones who brought tattooing to Greece and to Arabia (Nat-A-Tat2). In Japan, tattoos were used for beauty, beliefs “and to mark criminals” (Nat-A-Tat2).

There is a long list of cultures that utilised tattoos as a form of decoration and communication (Swami, 2011). That said, within some western societies, that historical connection to the tattoo is not that strong. However the art of tattooing has seen a steady growth of its popularity and acceptance, and since the early 1990s, that growth has accelerated dramatically (Caplan, 2000; Cash, 2011; DeMello, 2000; Swami, 2011). The current estimated incidence of tattooing amongst the populations of North America and Europe is approximately 25 percent (Laumann & Derick, 2006; Swami, 2011), with one researcher suggesting those rates could continue to increase to as much as 40 percent of the population (Anderson, 2006).