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