Cross Tattoos
Flexible in there design, bold and striking, it is not uncommon to see modern cross tattoos merged with several other adornments such as flowers, barbs, twisting vines and countless other visual embellishments, all of which allow for the individual to personalize established and ancient symbolism into a funky and modern take.
Whether you perceive the Cross as a symbolism of Christianity, a proclamation of Celtic heritage, or simply as a bold and meaningful fashion statement. Cross Tattoos are increasingly popular Tattoo choices for much of Europe and the Americas.
Celtic cross tattoos in particular rate as popular choices due to them often containing intricate and complex weave knots, spirals and mazes throughout much of their symbolism, interlacing tessellated and repetitious patterns, said to signify the complexities of nature.
Celtic style crosses also have no visible beginning or end, and are representative of the ever-flowing circle of life.
Nordic and Celtic artwork in particular have been traditionally influenced by one another due to the cultural exchanges from trade between countries and the back and forth conquests taking place over the last centuries.
Mixing cross tattoos with other embellishments is becoming popular
It is also becoming more and more common for people to amalgamate Cross Tattoos with several other embellishments such as barbs, animals, names and places.
All of the above adornments ensure that Cross Tattoos remain one of the most flexible of tattoo designs as well as one of the most endearingly popular to this day especially tribal cross tattoos.
The Cross as a Christian symbol became established In the 4th Century as Christianity was being spread by the Church throughout the British Isles, at a time when the majority of the populace maintained Paganism beliefs and culture.
Yet long before it was embraced as a ubiquitous Christian emblem, The Cross was one of the most significant symbols in mankind’s history.
Cross tattoos originates from the cross symbols which can be traced back far back in time
From ancient Greece, Africa and India to right across Europe, Crosses can be found in all manner of locations and guises dating as far back as the Stone Age. From cave walls in Egypt, to jewellery in Bronze Age Scandinavia.
Throughout all of these countries, The Cross was used as a symbol of protection as well as a representation of differing – but overall coherently spiritual – rather than religious concepts.
Although likely to be forever associated with Christianity, the once ubiquitous religious connotations of the Cross-have now evolved to encompass a wide range of personal symbolization’s and meanings – often without specifically religious overtones.
Without doubt, cross tattoos are as popular today as they ever were and cross tattoo designs continue to be a mainstay in the tattooists repertoire.
