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The symbol of the cross is one of the most world wide recognized symbols. As a tattoo, cross tattoo designs have been used for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. There are many different types of cross patterns that come from various cultures; each cross has its own specific meaning. Some of these patterns are especially popular as religious cross tattoo designs. The following information contains a brief description of cross tattoo designs and their meanings.

The Latin cross tattoo design, which looks like a lower case t, is symbolic of religion; this religious cross tattoo design is often enhanced by doves, flowers, and other religious symbols such as angles and saints. The Gothic cross tattoo design looks a lot like the Latin cross, but the Gothic cross is thicker, darker in color, and usually contains such images as thorns, red roses, blood, or barbed wire. The Latin cross tattoo, and the Gothic cross tattoo, are some of the more popular cross tattoo designs.

The Celtic cross tattoo has been rising in popularity in recent years. The Celtic cross design contains intricately knotted patterns, a circle in the middle, and is very detailed in its design. The Celtic cross has pagan origins and was believed to symbolize the sun, thus it is sometimes called the sun cross. The Celtic cross has also been used, more recently, as a symbol of Christianity.

Some of the lesser known, but no less beautiful, cross tattoo designs include the Maltese, Lorraine, and Ankh cross. The Maltese cross design has four equal arms, each arm ending in a V shape. The eight pointed Maltese cross design originated from the Knights of Maltese and each point represents aspects of character, like virtue and loyalty, which were important to the Maltese Knights. The Lorraine cross was used as a symbol of Joan of Arc and French patriotism; the Lorraine cross tattoo design is often combined with the French flag. The Ankh cross , also known as the Egyptian cross, was originally an Egyptian hieroglyph that symbolized life and immortality; the design of the Ankh cross looks like a capital T with a circle at the top.

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Surprising as it is to some folks, the Christian cross tattoo is extremely popular and well-liked.  Christians get tattoos also, especially the Christian cross tattoo. It represenst a unique and personal way of keeping Christian iconography and religious imagery near.

Unlike the Jewish faith, Christianity does not have any rules or guideline against tattooing, except to caution young people to be modest with regard to the image they embody in the world.

Provided that it is stylish and suitable, Christian cross tattoos are a potent symbol that resonates with a lot of the Christian youth.

The Christian Cross Tattoo

A great variety of Christian symbols have been turned into tattoo images, none more so than the cross. Christian cross tattoos that portray a variety of the cross are always abundant; after all, it is the most appropriate and most familiar Christian image of all.

Some cross tattoos show Jesus on the cross, while others show the cross, often with realistic wood graining, and a crown of thorns hung over one arm. Other cross tattoos consist of crossed nails such as big, rough looking ones like those that were used to hang Jesus on the cross.

Other popular Christian cross tattoo images include the Celtic cross (probably one of the most popular Christian tattoos of all), the Russian cross, and the Egyptian ‘ankh’, a cross with a circular shape on top, the ancient Egyptian symbol for ‘life’.

Besides the cross, there are other Christian images that are often used in Christian cross tattoos. The fish symbol is a great illustration based on assorted biblical references, a stylized fish symbol is frequently used as a symbol of Christ. This is a compact, but quite prominent symbol that lends itself well to tattooing, especially in black.

However, there are also other tattoos that may be gang related such as the Hispanic Christian Cross Tattoos.

They are an interesting sub-group. If you know anything about their traditions, you won’t be too surprised to learn that most Mexicans and other Hispanic people, even though they are involved in gangs or other criminal activities, are deeply religious and rely on their Christian symbols to both identify and protect them.

These Christian cross tattoos are rather complex, many involve a tattooed image of a saint, Jesus, or the Virgin Mary. The Hispanic christian cross tattoo often has words, as well, usually a Bible verse, perhaps accompanied by a loved one’s name.

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