The Cross Tattoo - A Symbol of Faith
The cross has long been seen as a symbol of religion and of faith in God but in ancient times before there really was religion, the cross was viewed in other ways. Its personal interpretation is why the cross tattoo is very popular among the people seeking out their very own inked skin art. In fact, for the last two hundred years, the cross has featured prominently in tattoos inked on Latin Americans as well as sailors, firemen and service people in the military.
Representation of the T Shape
The cross has been featured prominently in many cultures and time frames including the Neolithic period. Carvings on rock and cave paintings showed cross-like shapes representing the seasons or even the four basic directions of the wind. While your cross tattoo may not be chosen because of this ancient tie, it gives you an idea of how long ago the shape came into being.
It was not until around the 4th century that the Christian cross you know today was adopted and accepted by the Church because of its homage to the crucifixion of Christ. While this is the most popular form of the cross, there are countless others that are represented and representative of many things.
Not Your Average Christian Cross
Ancient Egyptians had the ankh hieroglyph which symbolized renewal and looked like a cross with a loop at the top. This symbol was adopted by others and even used in various subjects like astrology and biology and of course depicted as a cross tattoo. Anchor tattoos with the top in the shape of a cross have been popular with seaman and were often seen as a symbol of hope in harsh times.
Old Germany can be given credit for the iron cross, which resembles the shape of a square only with strategic cut-outs to make the shape look like a strong, thick cross shape. A cross tattoo that is favored by the firemen in the world is the Maltese cross as it is a symbol of protection for those who wear it.
The Celtic cross tattoo has been appearing on people's skin more and more in recent years because of its intricacy. This type of cross incorporates a number of Celtic braids and appears as if the lines are never-ending, adding to the artwork's mystique. Of course, there are a number of other renditions of the cross tattoo with swirling ribbons, vines and much more surrounding it. The choice is entirely yours when it comes to your own cross tattoo as it will be a personal reflection of your tastes and feelings.
