Religious tattoos. Religious tattoos: features and varieties

Most often, tattoos reflect the inner world of a person: what is close to him, what he believes in. Drawing on the body is our inner world or part of it, which we are not ashamed of and are not afraid to show people. Religion has always been a huge part of the life of mankind in all countries and on all continents. Religious tattoos, whose meaning varies by denomination, can tell a lot about the wearer and are an additional pillar of faith on which the person wearing them relies.

Religious tattoo: girl with a rose

Religious tattoos in Catholicism: where did it come from?

In the Catholic medieval Europe religion was given great importance: it was the conscience of a people with low morals and the cause of many wars and crusades. Priests who carried the word of religion often branded themselves in the shape of a cross, as a sign of eternal service to God. But they branded not only themselves: for example, during the time of the Holy Inquisition, the church branded those who were suspected of witchcraft, as well as girls of easy virtue.

Currently, there are a lot of believers who, with the help of a tattoo, want to pay tribute to their religion. Most popular images:

• Rosary, rosary
• Crosses
• Image of Jesus wearing the crown of thorns
• Scenes from the Bible
• Prayer texts
• Picture of the Madonna

It is believed that the inhabitants of Latin America are very pious, and it is among the representatives of this ethnic group that you can meet people with Madonna tattoos in their entire backs or a rosary on their wrists.

This tattoo features a heart wrapped in barbed wire and Jesus

Tattoos in Judaism: is it kosher?

Tattoos in Judaism are considered as wrong as eating pork, working on the Sabbath or breaking one of the most important commandments of the Torah, but this is forbidden in the Orthodox Jewish environment. More secular Judaists or people who identify as non-traditional Jews can afford to get a tattoo that relates to their religion and culture. The most common of them are Hebrew inscriptions from the Torah, the Star of David, the menorah, images of other attributes of Jewish culture.

Jesus on the guy's hand

Tattoos in Islam

Religious tattoos in Islam, the sketches of which can vary from the flag of an Arab country to a quote from the Holy Quran, are not prohibited by religion, but they are not allowed either. Since there is no information about images on the body “in official” sources, everyone decides for himself whether to do such a tattoo or not. However, many patriotic men prick designs such as a crescent moon or write surahs from the Koran on the body. However, we would not be in a hurry to classify these representatives of the Arab world as true Muslims. Perhaps such a tattoo, like the Jews, is only a tribute to their native culture.

Sometimes a religious tattoo might look like this

Most tattooed religions

Buddhists, Hare Krishnas and other representatives of Eastern philosophies make religious tattoos, photos of which are very numerous on the net, much more often and more than representatives of other religions. Eastern philosophy is not just a belief, but also a lifestyle, and when you live it, speak openly about it, when religion is present in every day, hour and minute and becomes a part of you, then you decide to put on your body images that have to you have a special meaning.

I am a Hare Krishna, it has become not only my way of life, but also the meaning. Even before meeting Krishna, I was fond of tattoos, but now everything that I do on my body is not meaningless, but very expensive and important for me: I have tattoos of my favorite mantras and, of course, a tattoo with the name of my mentor. And I know for sure that I will continue to make tattoos with meaning in the future. After all, once you start, it's hard to stop

Andrey, Moscow

Religious tattoo in the form of three crosses with a man crucified on one of them

Important! If you want to get yourself a tattoo in Hindi or another language that you do not speak and whose writing is not familiar, try several times to check if the sketch is done correctly.

Pagan tattoos: what symbols did the ancient Celts and Vikings adorn themselves with?

The pagan tribes of the Scandinavians, the brave Vikings, the Celts and the Anglo-Saxons believed in different gods, but showed unanimity in the faith of the elements and the power of symbols. For example, the Vikings decorated their body with tattoos of various runes, depending on their meaning, which brought them good luck in battles, victory over enemies, gave courage and strength in fierce battles. The Celts were a more peaceful people, but they strove for knowledge of the world around them through the forces of nature and the elements. They also had their sacred symbols, which are still popular with neo-pagans today: trikver or the so-called triad, symbols of the moon, month and sun, as well as their own script.

Currently, tattoos are popular among young people as a symbol of their kind and roots, depicting runes and Slavic deities, Kolovrat, the sun and the ancients, like the world itself, gods and goddesses.

Religious Star of David Tattoo

Tattoos of the tribes of Africa and South America

In fact, paganism is not only the ancient Slavs, Scandinavians and Celtic peoples: the tribes of Africa, Australia and the Indians can also be called pagans, as they adhere to polytheism. Basically, they decorated their bodies with tattoos that looked more like an ornament and reflected their beliefs: they believed that they would bring them good luck in hunting, increase their dexterity and endurance.

Do you know? Indian tattoos, which at first glance may seem like ordinary pictures - deer, arrows, bows, triangles and much more - are actually their ancient alphabet, and these pictures are a kind of writing that can tell a fascinating story.

Religious tattoo in the form of praying hands

I am an adherent of paganism and have long wanted to get a tattoo that would bring me good luck, give me strength and at the same time remind me of my faith. For me, it's very personal, and I made it in a secluded place. I don't want to say what this image is, but I feel like my life has changed. A pagan tattoo, the sketch of which I drew myself, in principle, cannot work otherwise. This is not just a drawing on the body, it is a charm.

Daniel, Lipetsk

Video: an overview of religious tattoos

The Bible about tattoos says: “For the sake of the deceased, do not make cuts on your body and do not prick writing on yourself. I am the Lord” (Lev. 19:28). The interpretation of the saying at first glance is obvious: Orthodox person you can't get a tattoo. Why is such an act condemned in Christian religion and is it a sin?

What the Bible Says

Wearable drawings were a hallmark of pagans and barbarian tribes. Tattoos had a sacred meaning for them, served as an amulet, totem and protective amulet from evil spirits. Practically not a single bloody ritual or ritual of sacrifice took place without a public drawing. What does the Bible say about this?

The Bible contains a description of the life of the followers of the pagan deity - the prophet Baal. They tried to enter a trance, piercing the bodies with spears and needles in order to contact Baal and ask him to become more powerful than the Lord.

God bequeathed to the Jews a completely different system of values ​​and wanted to bring the people to a completely different level of consciousness. The commandments of Moses were meant to separate Israel from the cruel pagan culture. God's law also forbade the practice of the occult, idolatry, and self-mutilation. Communication with the dead, a state of trance, demonic possession and possession were considered "an abomination."

Why is a tattoo a sin?

If you are wondering why a tattoo is a sin, refer to the Old Testament - one of constituent parts Bible. Much has been written here about wearable drawings, but people's reading of the Holy Scriptures is not always interpreted correctly. Why is it considered unacceptable to apply tattoos?

At the same time, tattoos can be applied as evidence of faith. So, Coptic Christians living among Muslims put a tattoo on their hand in the form of a cross (this is the so-called Coptic cross).
Thus, the attitude of the Bible to tattoos cannot be called unambiguous. But if you are an Orthodox Christian, it is better for you to refrain from applying a permanent image to the body. Atheists are free to do as they please here.

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I do not think orthodox tattoos something reprehensible, because every person has the right to choose in his life what he wants. Despite conflicting opinions, believers still decorate their bodies with all sorts of symbols. Let's talk about the meaning of such tattoos in this article.

What do religious tattoos say?

If we turn to history, we can find numerous references to how people decorated their bodies with various religious symbols, ranging from ancient texts to images of saints.

By this they showed that they belong to a certain religion, and also protected themselves from external negativity. Therefore, Orthodox tattoos stand apart from all others - they have their own special sacred meaning.

In our time, the most popular options for tattoos:

1. Practically artistic portraits of saints, apostles, great martyrs, angels and even Jesus Christ himself. Usually these are very large images, made with great precision. It is better to contact an experienced tattoo artist who will do the job efficiently.
2. Latin, Celtic and other crosses - indicate belonging to the Christian religion, are a strong amulet, protect their owner from the evil eye and negative energy coming from outside.
3. Texts of prayers and scriptures. They are selected individually for a person, depending on what kind of divine influence he wants to feel more fully in his life.
4. All other religious symbols - from pentagrams to lambs. The meaning differs depending on the chosen Orthodox sign.
5. There is an opinion that it is necessary to depict a cross precisely between the collarbones, on the neck. Some people generally believe that this is the only possible place for any Orthodox tattoo. But in fact, there are other suitable places - wrists, back, for example. The size of the tattoo is selected solely at the request of the person himself.

An interesting fact: in our country, religious tattoos first gained popularity among prisoners who used them as a talisman. The cross symbolized the absolution of sins, and the domes were a symbol of the status "in the zone." The number of domes indicates the number of years spent in prison.

It is also important to know that for the Orthodox, tattoos were amulets, symbolizing protection from evil and the remission of sins. But Christians living in Muslim countries demonstrate their faith in this way.

The meaning of the cross

The most popular religious tattoo is considered to be Orthodox cross. The crosses on the body depicted warriors in order to receive protection from the enemy in battle and return home unharmed. It was believed that the cross depicted on the back, chest, in the zone of the heart and other vital organs protects against deadly weapons.

Now the meaning has changed. The cross can also indicate respect for the Christian religion, and be a symbol of the remission of sins. Even atheists use this symbol simply to decorate the body.

The cross has no gender differences, so both men and women can wear such a tattoo.

Variants of crosses and their meanings:

• Knightly - speaks of a high honor that a person values ​​​​above all, and of his great strength of mind.
• Celtic is the personification of infinity and the understanding that everything on earth is interconnected, that the world is a mirror, and all Lyuli are our teachers.
• A cross with a rosary is a sign of a person's strong piety, his extreme religiosity, practically the rejection of everything earthly.
• A huge cross, depicted on the back or between the shoulder blades, indicates that a person believes in fate, and that all events in his life are destined from above.
• The cross with a stone symbolizes the search for one's destiny, path, mission and meaning in life. He indicates that a person really wants to decide and understand who he is, what can be useful to people.
• The Latin cross is a sign of memory for the dead, a sign of great sorrow.

Video about whether it is possible to make tattoos for an Orthodox person (opinion of a priest):

Popular Orthodox tattoos for men

It is difficult to imagine a believing girl who will make religious tattoos. Although exceptions do happen, the stronger sex does it more often. Consider popular male Orthodox tattoos and their meanings.

Here are the most common symbols that believing men can place on their bodies:

1. The Latin cross is a symbol of all Christianity and Orthodoxy in general. It is believed that this sign on the body brings extraordinary luck and good luck to its owner. It is also a powerful amulet against all evil.
2. The innocent lamb is the personification of Christ himself. A symbol of sacrifice and non-resistance to evil by violence. A person who makes such a tattoo seems to be talking about his humility and acceptance of everything that happens in his life.
3. Anchor depict those who lost loved one. It is a symbol of remembrance for the dead. But in some cases, the anchor on the body is also depicted as a sign of any significant memorable event.
4. - the personification of the Virgin Mary herself, a symbol of purity, but at the same time mystery. According to some sources, the rose is also a symbol of martyrdom.
5. The dove says that a person is completely free in soul and body, he is full of hope and wants to enlist the invisible support of the Holy Spirit.
6. The Jerusalem cross, consisting of five symbols combined into one, is a symbol crusades and has no specific meaning.
7. The cross, which is used in the rites of baptism, symbolizes the immortal soul, as well as its rebirth after death. physical body. A sign that a person feels, understands and realizes: he is only a soul that has a human experience.
8. Cross of Peter - speaks of deep respect for God, if it is used by a believing Christian. But this symbol also has a negative meaning - it is often depicted by Satanists, speaking by this of their resistance to religion and its denial.

Do you have Orthodox tattoos? Or maybe you are thinking about them? Share your opinions on the topic in the comments.

In the middle of the first century AD, Egypt was conquered by the Arab armies. This invasion is not entirely correct to call "conquest", because the invaders did not meet any resistance from the Egyptians.

However, hostility to the new order, which the invaders brought with them, began to appear later. Word Copts the Arabs called the representatives of the local population of Egypt, who by that time were overwhelmingly Christians. Coptic Christianity is one of the most ancient branches of Christianity, basically, this religious branch belongs to the Orthodox Church.

In the heart of old Jerusalem, a Christian of Palestinian origin named Wassim Razzouk, in his own tattoo studio makes tattoos for everyone. The sign of his tattoo studio says since 1300- this means that he is a hereditary tattoo artist who supports the tradition of Christian tattooing, which has a history of more than seven centuries.

The tradition of tattooing pilgrims has deep historical roots.

“My ancestors are Egyptian Copts. For centuries, Coptic Christians have maintained the tradition of tattooing themselves. It is believed that the first Christian tattoos appeared in the XII century from the birth of Christ, when Islam began to spread in Egypt. And at that time Egypt was predominantly Christian. Arab conquerors forcibly tried to convert Christians to their religion. To do this, they came up with a very interesting thing— impose an additional tax on those who did not want to convert to Islam” Wassim says.

The tattoo showed that its owner belonged to the Coptic Church

“One form of resistance to this was that Coptic Christians tattooed themselves on inside wrists - the image of the cross. Over time, such a gesture of intransigence was transformed into a tradition. For a very long time, belonging to the Coptic Church could be proven the only way- presenting a tattoo of a cross on the inside of the wrist of the right hand ".

Pilgrimage used to be a life's work

“My great-great-grandfather came to Jerusalem at the beginning of the 18th century and his craft was tattooing on the skin of pilgrims who came to Jerusalem from all over the world. Today, everything is much simpler - you buy a plane ticket on the Internet and the next day you are already in Jerusalem! But a hundred years ago things were different. They prepared for the pilgrimage for many years - it became the main event of a lifetime! And the tattoo was proof that its owner was in holy places, as well as a proud symbol that it is worn by a Christian..

Wassim says that the practice of pilgrimage tattoos has gained unprecedented popularity these days - “Sometimes there are queues of 50 people lining up for me! People are ready to wait for hours to take away the symbol of Jerusalem. And there are even those who come to Jerusalem every year, and every time they make themselves a new tattoo..

From the grandfather there were stamps carved from an olive tree

Not all pilgrims welcome the practice of tattoos, but they do not want to lag behind the more daring brothers in faith. For such cases, in the arsenal of a tattoo artist there are cut out olive tree stamps depicting Christian motifs. He got them from his grandfather, who was not only a tattoo artist, but also a carpenter, as well as a wood carving master.

Wassim Razzouk does not consider himself a member of the modern tattoo movement

Wassim Razzouk a very famous figure in the world of Israeli tattoos. He takes part in many exhibitions, collaborates with leading museums, but he does not consider himself a member of the modern tattoo movement: "This is not my world" he briefly explains. “I am not a tattoo artist in the modern sense of the word. My clients are pilgrims, monks, priests, the elderly.”.

“I am very surprised when someone starts to say that this or that religion forbids tattooing. Regardless of what these people say, the demand for pilgrimage tattoos in the holy land of Jerusalem is growing year by year!”

Man, according to the plan of the Lord, is a two-part being. He has a spiritual non-material substance - a soul and a material body. The body is also a co-heir of the soul in the Kingdom of God - in the new mountain city of Jerusalem (see Revelation of St. John the Theologian, ch. 21).

After all, the present death, which separates the soul and the body, is not the end yet. At the Last Judgment, when our Lord Jesus Christ, together with the angels and saints, will judge each of us, we will appear before God in all the fullness of our nature, that is, not only spiritually - soul, but also bodily. The dead, for example, will be resurrected in such a way that their structures and members will gather, the soul will enter into them, and the person in his full nature will stand before the Judgment of God (see the Book of the prophet Ezekiel, 37:1-14). And also mentally and physically, after the final over him Doomsday will enter forever either hell or heaven.

Therefore, the Church has always very carefully and reverently treated the body as a co-heir of the soul in the eternal future life of the eighth day. Hence such a reverent attitude towards the bodies of the dead in the Orthodox rite of burial of the dead. That is why the Church has such a negative attitude towards cremation.

Unnatural body jewelry is also undesirable: tattoos, piercings, nail polish, makeup and hair dyeing. After all, man is the image and likeness of God. The Lord initially created it as a beautiful self-sufficient microcosm - the whole Universe. Therefore, it is, of course, a dubious practice to "modify" one's body unnecessarily. It is as if we do not trust God and build our own tower of babel trying to fix the Creator. Such behavior can lead to nothing good.

This does not exclude the natural care of your body and the treatment of diseases such as disabilities.

In addition, often a young guy or girl does not understand the true meaning of tattoos - their historical significance. In the ancient pagan world, where there were no printing technologies, tattoos could, among other things, be something like a seal or a passport. They carried information about a person: belonging to a particular tribe, clan, clan, social status.

There is another subtext here. A modern young man sometimes imagines that a tattoo is a kind of symbol of his personal freedom. But in the pagan world (where its origins come from) - this is a symbol of the exact opposite. There, a tattoo is often a symbol of submission, a sign of belonging to someone or something. So, for example, it is still happening in closed subcultures such as army units or bandit formations.

Sometimes a person, when applying a tattoo, does not even think about what informational meaning this or that symbol carries. After all, a tattoo is not just an ornament, it often has a philosophical or religious background. And a person running away from reality into a fictional dreamy world (where he often tries to “drag” his body, including with the help of tattoos), can, without realizing it, revive neo-paganism, and after it (if you call things by their own names) idolatry and service to demons.

What's more, it's scary Orthodox Christian. Since the holy supreme apostle Paul said about us, Orthodox Christians: “Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and the Spirit of God lives in you? If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will punish him: for the temple of God is holy; and this temple is you” (1 Cor. 3:16). That is, we are a living church, a temple. Each of us.

An Orthodox Christian has one belonging - to Christ. And the symbol of this has long been pectoral cross on the neck. God blesses such a person, and the holy angel protects. And with a tattooed person, everything can be diametrically opposed. Those who have inflicted frankly pagan tattoos on their bodies, of course, should confess this sin, and the Lord will surely forgive them and restore the lost spiritual and bodily harmony.

Priest Andrei Chizhenko
Orthodox Life

Can tattoos be done on the body?

Question:

AT Old Testament there is a place where it is said about the prohibition of drawing images and inscriptions on the body (in the book of Leviticus). Can this passage be correlated with the current tattoo? That is, is it a sin? And are there other places in the Bible that talk about this?

Priest Afanasy Gumerov answers:

“For the sake of the deceased, do not make cuts on your body and do not prick writing on yourself. I am the Lord” (Lev. 19:28). This prohibition is repeated twice more: Lev.21:5; Deut. 14:1. In the above verse, indeed, it is forbidden to apply images to the body by piercing or rubbing paints, as was common among pagan peoples. The attitude to the body in the God-inspired Old Testament religion is fundamentally different from paganism. The miraculous connection of the body, soul and spirit forms a single person, created in the image of God.

Virtues bring good not only to the soul, but also to the body: “A meek heart is life for the body, but envy is rottenness for the bones” (Prov. 14:30). Human body testifies to the wisdom and omnipotence of the Creator. The Bible speaks of the damage of human nature by sin, but does not express a single disparaging word about the body, as God's creation. Plato called the body "the dungeon of the soul", and St. the apostle Paul speaks of "the redemption of our body" (Rom. 8:23). Therefore, the Law of Moses forbade the adoption of pagan customs. The special disfigurement of the body created by God is an insult to the Lord. “For you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's" (1 Corinthians 6:20).

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