| Cross tattoos are a popular choice if you're | | | | vertical line that is intersected at right angles by a |
| looking for a design that's iconic and rich with | | | | shorter horizonal line about one third of the way |
| symbolism. But the origin of the cross design is | | | | from the top, and as such is the design most |
| unknown. The cross is one of the oldest and | | | | closely connected with Christianity. |
| most basic designs known to humans. It has been | | | | This simple cross design is a good choice for a |
| used to decorate all manner of things including | | | | first time tattoo. The design can be scaled to any |
| pottery and cloth for as long as humans can | | | | size, it's socially acceptable, it has a wide range of |
| remember. | | | | religious and spiritual meanings and it can be added |
| In ancient times the cross was used as part of | | | | to by further designs in the future. For example, |
| the Aztec, Egyptian, Greek and Norse cultures for | | | | if you have a basic latin cross, you could add a |
| many centuries. The symbol of the cross was | | | | dove to the design to symbolize peace, you could |
| also used by various pagan religions that pre-date | | | | add a shamrock to represent the Irish culture, or |
| Christianity by thousands of years, and as a | | | | you could add the name and date of death to |
| consequence cross tattoos are almost as old as | | | | pay tribute to someone special who has died. |
| the cross design itself. | | | | 2) The Celtic Cross |
| Eventually, due to the rise of Christianity and the | | | | Celtic cross tattoos are one of the best looking |
| cross being a sign of execution by crucifixion, it | | | | and most symbolic designs available. The basic |
| became a symbol of Jesus's death and | | | | design involves a standard latin style or Christian |
| subsequent resurrection. The Christian cross (a | | | | cross with a Celtic knot placed over the area |
| vertical line intersected at right angles | | | | where both lines cross over. Alternatively the |
| approximately one third from the top) is used by | | | | border of the cross is surrounded by a series of |
| followers to profess their faith and the clergy to | | | | Celtic knots. |
| bestow blessings. These days Christian tattoos | | | | These Celtic knots are designed in such as way |
| are an exceptionally popular way for people to | | | | that the strands of the design have no beginning |
| express their Christian faith | | | | and no end. This simple and elegant design is |
| So why are cross tattoos so popular? | | | | taken as a powerful symbol of the never ending |
| The cross design has a number of practical | | | | nature of human life, while the knot itself |
| advantages. To begin with, it's widely recognised | | | | represents the joining together of the physical |
| and socially acceptable in most places. But beyond | | | | and spiritual worlds. |
| that it can be scaled to almost any size, placed | | | | The Celtic cross makes a great tattoo design and |
| anywhere on the body and can be combined with | | | | thanks to its long and symbolic history it is |
| virtually any tattoo design. For example, it could | | | | extremely popular among people from Scotland, |
| be used in conjunction with flowers, words, | | | | Ireland and Wales who have pride in their Celtic |
| animals etc to add greater meaning and | | | | heritage. |
| individuality to the design. For these reasons a | | | | 3) The St. Andrew's Cross |
| cross design is a popular choice of first tattoo | | | | The St Andrew's cross differs from the traditional |
| with millions of people. | | | | style of cross as it is shaped more like an X than |
| And finally, as already mentioned they convey a | | | | a T. History says that the St Andrew's cross |
| wide range of meanings to a wide range of | | | | came about after St Peter (who felt he was |
| people. However, cross tattoos are not only a | | | | unworthy of the same death as his Lord) was |
| sign of religious faith. Due to the number of | | | | crucified upside down. St Andrew followed the |
| symbolic meanings that can be held by the | | | | same belief and so the modified cross became |
| wearer of a tattooed cross, one person may use | | | | linked to his name. |
| it to represent their religious beliefs while another | | | | So these cross tattoos are great if you want to |
| person may just like the design. However, for the | | | | be slightly different from the rest of the crowd. |
| purposes of this article, we'll consider the main | | | | And as St Andrew is the Patron Saint of |
| types of religious cross tattoo designs. | | | | Scotland, these cross tattoos are ideal for people |
| 1) The Latin Cross | | | | with Scottish links who want to pay tribute to |
| The design of the Latin cross is one of the most | | | | their ancestors. |
| instantly recognisable in the world. It consists of a | | | | |