Religious and Spiritual Tattoos - Symbolism and Meaning
Thursday 29th of January 2009 02:04:51 PM [Add To This Article]
Religious and Spiritual Tattoo Designs:
Spiritual Reflection on Canvases of Flesh A History
"We are not human beings on a spiritual journey. We are spiritual beings on a human journey."
Stephen Covey
Perhaps it is the alienation that people have begun to feel in this age of machines, robots, computers and technologies. It could be the new global connection that this technology has founded. Whatever it is, American spirituality is on the rise and this religious and spiritual movement is taking place in people, places and fashions that we might find a bit surprising. All of the world's faiths, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, the New Age movement, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, all are finding new converts, and a greater acceptance in places before unheard of. At the Methodist Church down the road you can take Yoga on Thursday nights. Senior centers across the country are offering transcendental meditation. Psychics and spiritual advisors abound. And in the midst of it all, religious and spiritual tattoo designs are thriving.
Overcoming Prohibitions
Perhaps the most surprising rise in religious and spiritual tattoos has occurred in the three main branches of popular monotheism Christianity, Judaism and the Islamic faith. What makes this increase surprising isn't so much who is getting it done, but what they're getting it done in spite of. All three of these religions share one thing in common religious texts that condemn the practice of body mutilation or markings. But today, these prohibitions are being heeded less and less.
In all three faiths, the younger generations are branching into new experiences, awakenings and interaction with different cultures and religious faiths. And while they aren't trying to compromise their faith, they are finding ways to assimilate other practices and absorb them into their faith. Religious and spiritual tattoos are just one of the ways that this is happening. It's also occurring because of books, movies, movements and forums.
There is a certain unique individuality about a tattoo. It's a sacred image, which people choose to brand themselves with for eternity (or laser surgery, whichever comes first). This individuality and spirituality is what makes tattoo a great way to reflect your spiritual paths.
The radical youth of the three major monotheistic religions are creating a new religious tradition, and it will be up to time to tell whether this new trend with have deeper roots.
Other Religions and Their View of Tattooing
While it would be easy to assume that most other cultures have had a favorable view of tattooing, you'd definitely be wrong. Even in Japan, a country that has produced some of the most amazing horimono style tattoos, the practice is still considered fujo, and is frowned upon by most of their religions, including Buddhism, Confucianism, or even the local folk traditions. However, it's important to note that the Japanese have been tattooing themselves for an incredibly long time, and their disapproval of tattoo dates back to the beginning of the Chinese cultural influence that took root in their society.
It should also be noted that, when it came to closely associating tattoo with religion (having religious texts or pictures tattooed) some Buddhist monks would use this method to bear witness to their way, tattooing scriptures on their bodies as their promises to Buddha.
Are you thinking about getting a religious Hindu tattoo? Check your motives first! True Hindus are wary of young men and women (especially meat eaters, etc.) who wear their religious mantras, images and sacred words on their bodies and fail to meet the measure of the faith. Also, be careful as to where you place a sacred Hindu religious tattoo. According to Hinduism, it is very disrespectful to wear any sacred symbol below the waist. Henna tattoos are also a tattoo form favored in the Hindu regions.
However, the world isn't completely populated with cultures that prohibit the art of tattoo. As a matter of fact, there are many places where tattoo has survived centuries, even millennia, of adversity. The Pacific Islands, Central and South American tribes, Native American tribes, Celtic druids, Egyptians, pagans of all forms and the Maori tribes of New Zealand have all made tattoo a large part of their daily and spiritual lives. To some Polynesians, it is believed that the tattoo on your body also bleeds through to connect itself with your soul, and gives you passage and privileges in the world beyond this one. Spouses, families and sects are all tattooed with special clan like designs to help them find one another when they've crossed over the veil.
What's Available?
With the modern tools, creativity and technology, there are virtually limitless possibilities when choosing a spiritual or religious tattoo. You can search through flash galleries for ideas, tattoo magazines, original artwork, or create your own ideas and locate a tattoo artist or parlor who can work with you to design it.
A few of the more popular spiritual and religious tattoo designs include:
Crosses. Celtic and Latin; tribal or traditional. Stand alone, or as a crucifix, the cross has many forms and variations. The choice of "materials" - additions like a crown of thorns or rays of light -s really leaves all sort of creative doors open for you.
Angels. From the infant angels of the Middle Age masters to the terrifying, ferocious warriors of Heaven, the number of angel tattoo variations number higher than the stars in the sky.
Gods and goddesses; nymphs and satyrs, now even fairies and pixies. All sorts of characters from myth and religious history appear on tattoos across the globe.
Icons. Crosses, statues, chalices, sacrificial knives, magic wandsall sorts of religiously significant icons, idols and tools are appearing as the subjects in recent ink. This includes amulets and lucky charms, or things like incantations or invocations.
Religious Symbols. Whether letters of the Greek alphabet, or Kanji terms, maybe something with Cabbalist flair that is so popular in Hollywood these day religious symbols take on many forms; some are even shared between surprisingly different faiths.
Religious and spiritual tattoos can often wind up in strange places. Hands and foreheads are not uncommon; the thigh is also tattooed frequently in the Christian history. Backs can be transformed into beautiful stained glass creations; the music to your favorite hymns scrolling along. Whatever you want, if you can imagine it, and capture it in two or three dimensional form, it can be yours!
What image will you choose to lead you through your spiritual journey?
