Click here to check out Chopper Tattoos awesome range of cross tattoos!

The Many Meanings Behind Cross Tattoos

One of the most easily recognized symbols in the world is the cross and because of the religious and spiritual significance of the symbol, cross tattoos are popular with many different types of people. Some individuals use cross tattoos to signify their spirituality while others use a cross tattoo as a permanent memorial for a loved one that they have lost. Cross tattoos have been used in different cultures throughout history for various different reasons.

In ancient cultures, the cross was a symbol of power or prestige within the tribe in many parts of the world. These tribes viewed the symbol of the cross as infused with the power of the gods and believed that marking the symbol permanently into their bodies would transfer some of that power to them. In some cultures, the cross tattoo was added to the body of the tribe member when they reached maturity, in other cultures, the tattoo was not received until the person was made a tribal chief.

When Christianity adopted the cross as a symbol of its religion, the cross tattoo began to gain in popularity among Christians. In some areas where Christianity was forbidden or at least frowned upon by the ruling parties, the symbol of the cross was buried within a larger image to avoid the anger of the leaders of the area. These tattoos with hidden crosses were often intricate and highly detailed so that the image of the cross would be apparent if someone was looking very closely.

In ancient Roman times, being a Christian was viewed as very bad and many Christians were sent to the Roman Coliseum to be eaten by lions and other exotic animals in front of crowds of thousands of people. As Roman influence began to wane and Christian influence began to rise, cross tattoos became more acceptable and began to decorate more members of the population. Today, the Christian cross is one of the most requested tattoos in the world.

Many other cultures used cross symbols in their tattoos to reflect their pride in their nation or to honor their gods. For example, the ancient Egyptians used a modified cross symbol, called an ankh, as one of the most important symbols in their culture. The Celtic culture used a symbol incorporating a cross and a circle as one of their most easily recognized cultural images.

Many people choose different types of cross tattoos for different reasons. If you are interested in getting a cross tattoo, most reputable tattoo shops will have a number of different styles to choose from. Individuals may also choose to look on the internet for a cross tattoo design that appeals to them, as most tattoo artists are capable of turning that image into a tattoo and place it where the customer wants.

The price of the cross tattoo will depend on the size of the tattoo and the intricacy of the design. Although the tattoo can be done in a number of different colors, the most common colors for a cross tattoo are black or blue. Most of the designs feature simple lines and minimal embellishments to create a powerful statement with one of the most powerful symbols in the world.