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Cross Tattoos

Cross tattoos represent a multitude of meanings and not all of them are based upon religious beliefs. Although meaningful to most, many people choose crosses as purely decorative designs which can easily be incorporated with many other pieces of tattoo art: rose tattoos, banner tattoos, sun tattoos and bird tattoos to name a few. Cross themes have been requested in tattoo studios worldwide for as long as 100 years. Even today, top tattoo artists still incorporate cross tattoos in many of the tattoo flash sheets they create, particularly when designing "In Memory Of" tattoos — popular selections among those wanting to remember loved ones. 

Religious Cross Tattoos
Christian religion and the crucifixion of Christ is by far the most recognized use of the cross as a tattoo.

Cross tattoos commonly feature a wooden or stone cross adorned with other highly symbolic items in the Catholic faith: vines and thorns, fire and water, halos of light, and angel-like wings. Cross tattoos often feature portraits of Christ, angels, praying hands or banners with scriptures. In contemporary times, the cross is a reminder of God and his sacrifice at Calvary — an object of Christ's victory over sin and death and the instrument of salvation by which Jesus saved the world. It took 300 years after Christ's crucifixion for the cross to go from an instrument of death and murderous torture to a more pleasant meaning for which Jesus died. The first crucifixion scenes in Christian art did not appear until the 7th century.

The original cross symbol was in the form of a Tau Cross, named for the letter "tau" or the modern day letter "T."Some theorists say that the Church may have taken the symbol from the Pagan Druids who formed these crosses by joining two limbs of an oak tree. Christian history shows that later the Tau Cross became the Roman Cross that we know and use today.

Celtic Cross Tattoos
Celtic cross tattoos are very ornate and intricate designs. They are an interlacing pattern of knots and spirals that show neither a beginning nor an end, encompassing a circle containing the cross's four arms. Over time, the circle has been believed to

have several different meanings. One meaning dates it back to the Pagans, claiming it to be a Pagan sun or a moon while Catholics claim the circle to be Christ's halo representing God's endless lovve.

In various cultures and traditions, the four arms of the Celtic cross are interpreted as the four elements of earth, air, fire, water, or the four directions of the compass: north, south, east, west. Others have interpreted it as the four parts of man: mind, soul, heart and body. Today, in relation to contemporary tattoo designs, Celtic crosses are generally selected as decorative pieces of body art rather than meaningful.

The earliest versions of the Celtic cross appeared centuries ago as stone-carvings positioned flat on the ground many of which can still be seen in the British Isles today. Similarly, modern Celtic stone carvings are still adorned with the same intricate patterns and details as they always have been, however, they evolved into upright and freestanding crosses that are frequently seen as gravestones in both Churchyards and war memorials over much of Ireland, Britain and Wales. Today, the Celtic cross is widely seen as a Christian symbol but, as its name implies, has a history that pre-dates its adaptation by the Christians.

Ankh Cross Tattoos
The ankh cross, recognized by a loop at the top, has several meanings: fertility and life, energy and zest, male and female, and life and death. According to the ancient Egyptians, the ankh was used as an interpretation for the word “Ê¿ná,” meaning life, and was commonly referred to as the Key of Life. As a hieroglyph, the ankh was used as a symbol of reproduction and sexual union while the walls of Egyptian temples bared it to protect the deceased. Many Egyptians carrying ankhs were believed to be seeking immortality from the Gods. Today, anyone possessing the ankh is believed to have been bestowed immortality and life energy.

The loop at the top of the ankh also has a multitude of meanings. One belief is that it represents the soul, which has neither a beginning nor an end. Another belief is that it represents the female womb with the cross at the bottom symbolizing the male penis.

Inverted Cross Tattoos

According to tradition, the inverted cross is the cross of St. Peter, an early missionary, who co-founded the Church of Rome. Nero, the Emperor of Rome, saw this new church as a threat and, in an attempt to eradicate the church,

imprisoned, tortured and finally crucified St. Peter. Feeling unworthy to die the same way as Christ, Peter was crucified upside down at his own request; hence, the inverted cross becoming a symbol of humility to the Christian faith. His brother Andrew, also sentenced to death, requested that a cross different to Christ's be used for his execution. His request was also granted which created the "X" shaped cross known today as St. Andrew's Cross. To the Catholics, the Pope is said to be a successor of St. Peter, and the inverted cross is often used in connection with the papacy, being seen on the papal throne and in papal tombs.

Inverted cross tattoos most commonly seen today are generally chosen by Satanists expressing their opposition to Christianity. Danzig, Necrodeath, Armageddon, Eminenz, Slayer and Venom are only a few of today's popular music bands that display symbol of the the inverted cross.

Celebrities with Cross Tattoos

Justin Timberlake: has a cross tattooed on his shoulder                                                                      

Britney Spears: has a black and pink cross tattooed on her hip.                                                             

Nicky Hilton: has cross tattooed on the back of her neck.                                                                   

Tupac: had a cross tattoo with the inscription “Exodus 18:11.”                                                       

Stevie Ray Vaughn: had an Ethiopian cross tattoo.                                                                             

Drew Barrymore: has a cross tattooed on her ankle.                                                                                 

Lenny Kravitz: singer with a cross on his arm.                                                                                               

Eva Longoria: Desperate Housewives actress with a Celtic cross tattoo on her lower back.                                           

Dennis Rodman: basketball player with a cross tattoo.                                                                       

Mickey Rourke: has a cross on his biceps.                                                                                           

Christian Slater: has a cross with and lions on his right shoulder.                                                       

Jenna Jameson: has a cross tattooed on her back.                                                                            

Mary J Blige: has a cross tattooed on her thigh.                                                                                       

Boy George: has cross tattooed on his shoulder.

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