There are many popular body art themes that remain a favourite with many tattoo enthusiasts throughout the years as other trends come and go, however religious tattoos continue to grow in popularity and are still in great demand around the world.
These designs cover a variety of different faiths so there is something to suit every religion as well as individual beliefs and philosophies. So what constitutes a religious body art design? Of course, many of these designs are requested by those who are faithful to the Catholic Church as well as those who wish to openly express their devotion to Christianity however each religion has its own individual symbols, signs and images that are synonymous with its specific beliefs. Any image or archetype that conveys an idea or a moral, that teaches or brings the wearer closer to their God (or gods), would come under this category. These include the obvious images such as the cross or crucifix, Christ or the Virgin Mary as well as Buddhist or Hindi icons, Hebrew text and even more obscure emblems like those used in the Chinese Yin-Yang philosophy or Ancient Egyptian symbols. However, the one thing they all have in common is that they are chosen by the individual to pay homage to their faith and beliefs.
When it comes to religious tattoos, there are a variety of favourites that are popular with Christians both young and old which allow these individuals to use their body art to display their beliefs with pride. However, these as well as letting the world know how you feel about your faith, these also serve as a reminder of one’s individuality as well as their faith while giving them a sense of identity that is unique to them. From images of praying hands and cross designs to written biblical quotes and numerical scripture references, there are a wide variety of these designs to choose from. These include other popular images associated with Christianity such as angels, doves and Jesus fish designs while those who want a tattoo that expresses their devotion to Catholicism also have a huge choice. These would include the Madonna and child, a crown of thorns, Christ on the cross and sacred heart designs however many tattoo enthusiasts may even combine several of these images together for a larger more individual take on a popular theme.
Perhaps one of the prettiest and most intricate designs of this nature is the Catholic Rosary beads which are often inked around the wrist and hand or ankle and foot in a bracelet design and also around the neck for a realistic full-scale version of the real thing.
There are many other designs for religious tattoos that may suit those whose beliefs are more spiritual. These include Buddhist images like the Lotus Flower the Bodhi Tree, the Dharma Wheel or even Buddha himself. Hindu deities and symbols are also popular including the images of gods such as Shiva and Ganesha, and the Om which is perhaps the most important religious symbol of all to Hindus. This is made up of three Sanskrit letters, representing the three worlds of earth, atmosphere, and heaven; the three major Hindu gods.
