| Religious tattoos and the symbolism of the | | | | These are good points to ponder on before going |
| various religions have strangely become popular to | | | | out to get yourself one of those obviously |
| secular society. Crosses and pictures of Jesus and | | | | religious tattoos:o Does it have meaning for you?o |
| praying hands or the sacred heart have been | | | | Will it offend someone else's beliefs?o Are you |
| seen gracing the biceps of clearly non-religious | | | | aware of its history and true meaning?o Are you |
| individuals. | | | | prepared to become identified with a certain |
| This is partly because any and all kinds of | | | | group by virtue of your tattoo?o Are you |
| symbolism in the field of tattoo art have been | | | | prepared to defend your choice? |
| appropriated and assimilated into the mainstream | | | | If you have read all these questions and still want |
| culture. This is true not only of one religion but to | | | | to go ahead with your chosen tattoo design, then |
| all systems of belief. It is why a person can have | | | | noone is stopping you. If, after reading these |
| a mix of Celtic crosses, tribal tattoos, Buddhist | | | | words, you come across some doubt in your |
| imagery, Chinese characters, Japanese symbols, | | | | mind, then stop first and think deeply about it. A |
| and all kinds of religious tattoos all mixed up in | | | | tattoo is a permanent body ornament and a very |
| one. Aside from Christianity, Celtic, and Buddhist | | | | visible statement. |
| thought; there are also images from Hindu, | | | | It would be presumptuous for us, however, to |
| Islamic, Maori, and tribal culture. | | | | assume that all bearers of religious tattoos have |
| The phenomenon of the secularization and | | | | appropriated it from somewhere else. Some of |
| subsequent popularity of religious tattoos might be | | | | the avid tattoo enthusiasts out there do have |
| due to the breakdown of the walls of meaning in | | | | themselves pierced with images from their own |
| the information age. As all the symbols and their | | | | religions. This then functions as a sacred reminder |
| meanings have become readily and easily available | | | | of a person's faith, and a symbol of their |
| to us, we have arbitrarily appropriated them in | | | | spirituality. Inasmuch as the original act of |
| any manner that we see fit. The meanings have | | | | tattooing the body was part of a sacred ritual |
| then obscured as the images spread from | | | | enacted in rites and ceremonies, so these modern |
| believers to non believers. It is why this mishmash | | | | tattoos could also function as such once again. |
| is found to be acceptable in contemporary times. | | | | |