Drawing on the body in ancient times was performed to demonstrate a person's belonging to a particular tribe, faith or status.
What do religious tattoos mean?
Today, tattoos in almost every case are of an aesthetic nature and are made to decorate body parts. But nevertheless, many conclude in them a certain semantic load.
Religious tattoos are applied by people who belong to a particular faith, they are usually performed not only for decoration, but also to protect a person from dark forces, to influence fate.
Each religion has certain symbolic signs that make it stand out from the rest.
Tattoo history
Tattoos on a religious theme originated in antiquity. Ritual drawings were a peculiar mark of the religions of Palestine. In Christianity, this was banned, but this did not lead to the extinction of tattoos in faith. The pilgrims still practiced tattoos, which were applied by Coptic priests and performed in the form of drawings of the Mother of God with Jesus, St. Peter. Icon tattoos could often be seen on the human body. Muslims adorned themselves with tattoos dedicated toMecca and Medina. The symbol of the drawings was cleansing after death.
Facts have been discovered about the controversial practice of this kind of tattoos, which were applied in the Balkans. Bosnia and Croatia were characterized by peculiar ethnic tattoos, but during the period of Muslim raids they acquired a different color. At this time, the warring parties left drawings on the bodies of women, showing their belonging to the opponents.
Religious symbols are of particular importance among believers, they apply tattoos to be closer to God, but not all religions are characterized by a change in the body. Religious tattoos have reached the level when they began to be considered a separate direction in tattoo practice. Such drawings are incredibly difficult to perform, and only an experienced master should be trusted to apply them. Sometimes a tattoo with the image of a Saint can be done for quite a long time, but in the end you get an incredible and unique picture.
Tattoos are a way of repentance
However, religious tattoos are not always applied by believers, since faith is primarily an internal state. Such drawings can often be found on the body of criminals who resort to them for the purpose of repentance. As a rule, these are all kinds of crucifixes, crosses, domes and other religious symbols.
Christianity, both before and at the moment, cannot accept tattoos of religious themes, but also completely reject them. There is a quote in the Bible that explains this: "Do not make incisions for the sake of the deceased onyour body and do not wear impaled inscriptions".
One thing is known for sure: tattoos related to religion are very relevant today. They are a means of protection from misfortune and evil forces. In any case, whether to draw on the body or not is the choice of everyone. But before you apply anything, you need to study the meaning of the tattoo, because it will be with you for life.
