Religious Tattoos and Symbolism

The Meaning of Religious Tattoos and Symbolism

From the beginning of the trend of people marking their own body, religious tattoos and symbolism have been in existence.  There has always been a spiritual element linked to the practice of such body modification.  Religious tattoos and symbolism wove early man into being a part of the larger universe, even before organized religion erected everywhere.

Early cultures used totems and animal images to wake power from the worn animal’s spirit for protection and success in their hunt.  In fact, in Borneo, the Kayan tribesman wore tattoos on their shoulders that were hand-tapped, to guarantee their departed soul a safe passage over the dreaded River of the Dead.

The Rise of Christianity

Moving to more modern times, a small cross tattoo was worn on the hand of the Crusaders to ensure them a Christian burial if they happen to be killed in foreign land during battle.  In North America today, approximately 20 percent of pieces done are for religious tattoos and symbolism.  It is suggested that the wearers believe that their body art is a way to proclaim their faith and get closer to God. See Religious Tattoos!

Popular Religious Tattoos and Symbolism

• Crosses – Some of the most popular religious tattoos are those of crosses.  Whether they are large or small, they work alone or as part of a bigger piece, the cross is the most recognized symbol in the world.  Crosses are often created as a Celtic or Tribal design or they accompany another religious tattoo.

• Angels – These can range from cherubs to quite elaborate renditions of seraphim.  Angel tattoos are often holding other items such as a cross, trumpet, harp, etc.  Some people prefer to simply get angel wings rather that the whole being.

• Portraits – Some individuals chose to have a portrait of Jesus inked on their body or something even more in depth like the Last Supper.

• Quotes and Scripture – Next on the list of religious tattoos and symbolism are quotes and scripture.  Words have seen a sudden explosion in ink popularity over the past few years so it only makes sense that bible scriptures would be chosen as inspiration.

• Doves – Most people translate doves as being a peaceful bird but as far as religious tattoos and symbolism goes, they are a representation of the Holy Spirit.

• Praying Hands – Thanks to Albrecht Durer, a German artist from the 15th century, the picture of praying hands has become highly recognized, both on canvas and on the body.

Although a passage from Leviticus 19:28 does not allow marking of one’s body and some religious people hold true to this scripture, most Christians have managed to escape the prohibition.  Since there is such a large assortment of Christian tattoos and symbolism, be sure to research your tattoo design first and choose something that is meaningful to you.

Robert Downey Jr Tattoos

The Story Behind Robert Downey Jr Tattoos

While there are only two known Robert Downery Jr tattoos, they are meaningful pieces that have resulted from his colorful life.  There are few actors who have been in the tabloids as much as Downey but perhaps that is because even at his darkest times, viewers, fans or not, saw a potential there that he could not see himself while he was on his downward spiral.

There are not too many people who would have the ability to get locked up as an actor but come back as a superstar.  The world may never forget Downey driving his Porsche naked down Sunset Strip, throwing imaginary rats out of the window because he was so high but he certainly is proving that there is life after drugs and rehab.  Downey’s first Iron Man movie alone brought in $186 million at the box office, not even including the pandemonium that the second one created.

Susie Q

The first of the two Robert Downey Jr tattoos is the word Susie Q on the upper part of his left bicep.  In 2003, when Downey met producer Susan Levin, his checkered past of drugs and arrests seemed to magically turn around.  He met Levin on the Gothica set.  He said that she was motivated, grounded and a really hard worker.  While he may have fell in love with her, Levin would not marry Downey until he gave up all of the drugs for good.

Susan Levin sure must have been something special.  Downey changed his life around, married her and introduced her to the world as his new wife on the Oprah Winfrey show.  She landed a place in his heart and on his arm as one of the meaningful Robert Downey Jr tattoos.


The second of the Robert Downey Jr tattoos is a tribute to his son Indio.  It is a peculiar tattoo that must hold some type of meaning that no one has yet to unveil.  His son’s name, Indio, is written on his right bicep, surrounded by some type of hanging picture frame and a blue head that seems to be watching over it.  It is sweet and intriguing yet somewhat dark and mysterious.

His ex, former model and singer Dobroah Falconer, is the mother of Indio and although they have a good relationship now, things were not always so pleasant.  They married six weeks after they met in 1992, bought a house in Malibu and in 1993, Indio was born.  That should have been enough to ground Downey but at the time, it was just another reason to party. For more see Tattoo Meanings!

While fans are overjoyed that Downey turned his life around and can now almost be thought of as a role model, that you can get off drugs, the question still remains about this Indio piece.  This one of the two Robert Downey Jr tattoos is an unsolved mystery, one that all of his fans hopes he will one day reveal.

Shia LaBeouf Tattoos

The Life Inspired Shia LaBeouf Tattoos

At such a young age, not only has he become one of the most famous actors in the world, the Shia LaBeouf tattoos continue to stir up an assortment of questions.  He literally began his performing career at the ripe age of 4 and launched his first major acting debut when he was 12 years old.  He played on Even Stevens, a Disney Channel series and then was cast in Holes, his first movie, in 2003.

Although he started to really expand his target audience with the movie Distrubia, it wasn’t until his lead role in Transformers that his popularity exploded.  This is where some fans say that can catch a glimpse of one of the Shia LaBeouf tattoos.  By 2010, he has made Revenge of the Fallen, New York I  Love You and Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.

While he may still be young, LaBeouf is on top of the world.  He had a bit of a rocky childhood where drugs were always around him but he never became a victim.  This history and strength has inspired a couple of the Shia LaBeouf tattoos.


The first of the Shia LaBeouf tattoos are the numbers 1986 – 2004 that are found on the inside of his right wrist.  He says that most people that he knows that have been in the business for a long time say that they forget their childhood.  These dates are to represent the years of his childhood and to act as a reminder.

LaBeouf lived in poverty and his parents were hippie artists that he describes as being weird people yet he loved them.  LaBeouf said his father grew cannabis and during a flashback of the Vietnam War, even pointed a gun in his direction.  He never lost love for his family and takes care of them to this day so they can spend their lives creating art.


The second of the Shia LaBeouf tattoos is the paw print on his left shoulder.  It is said to be a tribute to his dog that died.  The fact that he is such a dog lover is just another reason for fans to love him.


The most talked about of the Shia LaBeouf tattoos is the large piece found on his side.  While from first glance, most people think that it is the barrel of a gun, it’s definitely not.  The tattoo is an art piece that LaBeouf had seen many years prior that always found a place in his mind as a visual.

See more at Tattoo Meanings!

The tattoo is of a left hand that has a shackle around it.  He felt inspired by this piece and decided to add it to the collection of Shia LaBeouf tattoos because he thought the artist was drawing his own prison.  It is about life and it is a message of entrapment.

Sun Tattoos

What do Sun Tattoos Mean to You?

You will find that as a rule, always quite unique individuals get sun tattoos.  Aside from the fact that they are an excellent choice in all black or in an abundance of vivid colors, this is one very powerful symbol.  One simple sun with a slight variation either in design or color can take on a whole new meaning so it only makes sense that they offer a deep amount of mystery to the wearer.

Sun tattoos can be delicate and lovely or dark and angry.  They are popular in a tribal, Aztec or Celtic designs and they virtually can be placed anywhere on the body.  Sun tattoos are meaningful for males and females and they look great as small or large pieces.

For the ancient ancestors who were the first to witness the unparalleled beauty of the sun rising and setting, humanity became deeply enchanted by this warm, bright ball.  In many parts of the world, the sun has been revered not only as a symbol but worshiped as a deity.

Symbolism of Sun Tattoos

Of course, sun tattoos today do not necessarily mean that you literally worship the sun, but rather that the symbol has a powerful meaning to you.  Sun tattoos represent the principle of self-hood and that it is crucial to participate beyond your immediate perimeter.  The sun is a representation of the centralizing force that sustains and offers design to your individual existence.

Sun tattoos symbolize personal power, vitality, dignity, strength and leadership.  The sun represents eternal renewal and can signify a soul rising to heaven.  The sun is mysterious and untouched.  It is one place that humans will never really figure out. Also see Religious Tattoos!

Black Sun Tattoos

There has been some controversy through the years over black sun tattoos.  Keep in mind that your ink choice will influence how you are perceived and you do want to be sure that you are sending out the message you intend.  Some people have chosen a sun design to find out later that the tattoo they received was a Wewelsburg sun, a Nazi symbol.  It is always important that you research the design you choose if you are unfamiliar with it.

Less controversial and more popular black sun tattoos are tribal designs.  They incorporate a sun shape, either traditional or stylized into the graphic and curved tribal pattern to form one phenomenal design.

Sun, Moon and Stars

One of the most intriguing and  symbolic sun tattoos is that which is paired up with the moon and stars.  The sun and moon are the ultimate yin yang.  Without the sun, permanent darkness would descend and every living thing would perish.  The sun is yang energy and it is masculine in nature.

The moon is yin.  It provides feminine energy and its phases also have direct pull on earth as the tides are controlled by her gravitational force.

The number of stars and points also hold meaning as they are deities of divine power, offering light to the darkness.

• 5 Points – This symbolizes earth, air, fire, water and spirit.

• 6 Points – This represents the interaction between God and the human race.

• 7 Points – This offers a mystical symbol of luck.

• 8 Points – A symbol for rebirth and regeneration.

• 9 Points – A symbol of achievement.

Angel Tattoos

The Spiritual History of Angel Tattoos

Angel tattoos can be appreciated by individuals of nearly any religion.  These spiritual beings fulfill important jobs working as messengers, protecting faith and making the gap between mankind and the afterlife a little smaller.

It is no surprise that angel tattoos are so popular for both men and women since they represent beauty, love, protection, faith, peace and innocence and of course, they keep evil away from the wearer as well.

Angels are anthropomorphic, meaning they are believed to be human-shaped and winged.  They are personified in almost every religion as messengers and in the Christian bible, they are capable and allowed to deliver both protection and punishment as they are told.  Individuals who practice the Christian religion believe that angels take direct orders from God to carry out his will for mankind. See Religious Tattoos!

In the Catholic church, some of the most intellectual spiritual beings are the Guardian angels.  They are designated their chosen ones on Earth and are expected to protect, care for and guide them.  It is their responsibility to fulfill their mission of assisting their assigned individuals to achieve eternal salvation.

Appearances and Associations

Angel tattoos are inspired by the most recent interpretation of what their appearance is believed to be.  Although some characteristics have changed through the years, artists have held true to depicting them as winged, mystical creatures.  They are traditionally clothed in white robes and seen drifting carelessly on fluffy clouds, suffused in blinding light. Also see Wing Tattoos.

There are many items that are associated with these beings that are often incorporated in the design of angel tattoos.  Harps, trumpets, swords, wands and crosses have all found themselves displayed with an angel at one time or another, whether they are all believed to actually be held and used by the angels or not.

In history, angels were typically portrayed as young men who were winged, wearing a halo.  It wasn’t until the Renaissance Era when brilliant artists offered a different representation of them being babies or young children, giving birth to the image of cupid.

Angel tattoos are most often worn as a symbol of spirituality, faith, devotion, guidance and protection however, there are also the dark versions of these subjects as well.  Fallen angels and the Angel of Death are often inked on the skin of individuals for their own reasons too.  Angels have been a part of the world’s religions throughout history so it only makes sense that angel tattoos would be so popular in many parts of the world.

Religious Tattoos

The History of Religious Tattoos

Historically, religious tattoos were some of the first ones ever created.  Even mummies that have been revealed from thousands of years ago with tattoos raise the question of if they were worn as a tribal symbol or as part of their religion.

The ritual of receiving a tattoo and submitting to the pain was a way to connect spiritually with one’s religion.

Even before organized religion became popular, widely recognized symbols displayed on tattoos were clearly meant to be representative of religion.  It is obvious that they were intended to serve some type of purpose far beyond self-expression.

Animal images and totems were used in many early religious tattoos to provide the wearer with protection, success for hunting and the power that was represented by that particular animal.  These are tattoos with deep meaning that were meant to be much more than just decoration.

Fast forwarding many years, the crusaders wore cross tattoos on their hand.  This was to ensure that they would receive a Christian burial if they happened to be killed in foreign lands while they were at battle.  Even believers of many different faiths wear religious tattoos representative of their personal beliefs to ensure proper burials according to their religion.

History of Different Religious Tattoos

• Christian – A recurring them with religious tattoos in Christianity is with the afterlife.  For tribes such as the Maori, Sioux and Iban, tattoos served the purpose of being able to pass through to the afterlife.  Tattoos could guarantee favor from various deities or could help those on a long journey find their way safely home.  In addition to the crusader wearing cross tattoos, pilgrims who succeeded their travels to Jerusalem would often receive a tattoo so that they could show it off when they went home.  It symbolized strong faith. See Celtic Tattoos.

• Buddhist – It is suggested that Buddha himself was not a fan of religious tattoos however, Buddhism is quite rich with symbols such as the Buddha image, bodhi tree, lotus flower, dharma wheel and om.  Buddhist monks actually work as tattooists during the March festival in Thailand.  These religious tattoos bring strength and ward off injury to the wearer.

• Jewish – Many Jews are strongly opposed to religious tattoos because they believe that you should  not mark your skin.  However, there are plenty of others of the Jewish faith that wear the Star of David.  This is a symbol that represents the interaction between the moral and divine.

• Hindu – There is a long history in this culture of tattooing.  Traditionally, individuals receive a series of circles or lines on the cheeks, forehead and chest.  Also, some temple girls in history would wear sacred symbols on their breast and shoulder to guarantee salvation of their souls.

Lower Back Tattoos

Thank the 90s for Lower Back Tattoos

Do you ever wonder who or what was behind the sudden popularity of lower back tattoos?  It is unknown who the genius was behind realizing the prime real estate that the lower back offers but it is clear that the 90s were the birthing years.  The 70s gave the world disco, the 80s produced big hair and the 90s granted lower back tattoos which in return meant shorter tops and lower pants.

Close to 40 percent of females have a tattoo between the ages of 18 and 50.  Of this number, over 20 percent display lower back tattoos.  Even the most innocent looking, girly girls and white collar business women are all wearing these tattoos, otherwise known as the famous and fun name of tramp stamps.

Why They are Popular

Lower back tattoos are really ideal for anyone of any age for a number of reasons.

• Space – This is a large portion of skin without a lot of curves which makes it a prime area for a detailed piece.  There is room for the tattooist to work, allowing them the freedom to really treat the space like a canvas.  It is also really easy to center stencils by following the spine.

• Hidden  -One of the biggest reason lower back tattoos are so popular is because they are so easily hidden.  Regardless of your age or your job, you do not have to worry about being frowned upon because they are hidden in your normal clothes without any extra effort, regardless of the tattoo size.

• Stability – Even with age and many fluctuations in weight, including pregnancy, the lower back does not see much change.  Because of this, tattoos placed here can retain their appearance without being stretched out or shrunk.

• Sexy – Even if you have to hide your tattoo at work, you can certainly show it off at night.  They are easily displayed when you choose and they demand attention. Even if only the slightest bit of skin is revealed, it makes the viewer wonder what the tattoo is of. See Cute Fairy Tattoos.


Lower back tattoos are not without their disadvantages, the biggest one being the pain level.  They are some of the most painful tattoos that you can get because there is generally not a lot o flesh there and it is so close to the bone.  The good news is, if you can handle getting your lower back done, you will be able to breeze through another one somewhere else.

Another downfall is that they are really common so when choosing your tattoo, try to be original.  Pick something meaningful that best represents you.  Also, they are often a bit more expensive than one you would get on your ankle or wrist.  Since this is a large piece of skin a lot of people choose a design that is a little larger and more detailed which will cost a bit more money.  Of course, the finished product is always well worth any pain or expense.

Kanji Tattoos

The Detailed History Behind Kanji Tattoos

It was sometime in the 4th century that the inspiration for Kanji tattoos was born.  It was then that pictograms were borrowed from the Koreans and Chinese and literacy was created in Japan.  While the Korean and Chinese people called these symbols hanzi, the Japanese referred to them as kanji.  This term means han characters.  Kanji symbols have survived through history as the tradition of the writing system for Japan.

It is true that the Japanese adopted these unfamiliar symbols from the Chinese however, they did not understand the language. Chinese and Japanese dialects are completely different.  For the reason, the Japanese people had to creatively take these symbols and make them their own.

Kanji tattoos are adored for the way that one strong symbol can represent an idea, feeling or an object. The Japanese also found a way to incorporate two different alphabets being hiragana and katakana into the symbols.  That being said, to actually be able to read Japanese properly, you have to have the knowledge to differentiate between three different writing systems.

Pictorial ideals are represented in kanji tattoos. They provide the meaning of verbs, nouns and adjectives.  As beautiful as kanji is, it is also very difficult to learn and requires a very skilled tattooist to correctly provide these types of pieces.

In fact, it is so difficult that well over 1,000 symbols are needed just to have the ability to read the morning newspaper.  By the sixth grade, children in Japanese schools are required to learn basic vocabulary which may be a good reason why they are depicted as being so brilliant.  Over 2,000 symbols can be used by one individual on any given day.

While you may think that kanji tattoos must be extremely popular in Japan, they’re not. They are actually barely even heard of there.  It is the Westerners that find expressing a multitude of objects and feelings with a mysterious symbol so incredibly intriguing.  Kanji tattoos have become so popular that they actually account for 20 percent of tattoo designs searched on the internet today.

The people that started the trend of wearing kanji symbols felt that they could identify them with Eastern philosophy. Kanji tattoos are expected to remain one of the most popular choices to wear by people of any age and sex because of the beauty and mystery behind them as well as the courage that it takes to wear the unknown.

Wing Tattoos

The History of Wing Tattoos

Many people look at wing tattoos and see whatever their eyes are trained to see. For religious individuals, an angel usually comes to mind, while for Wiccan practitioners, they may automatically see a raven. Wing tattoos have a multitude of meanings because they are one of the oldest symbols that have been used in history. They are a universal representation of flight, regardless of where you may live on the planet.

Angel Wings

It is interesting to note that the Western bible never actually spoke of all angels wearing wings. They were depicted as being quite close to human form, traveling to the Earth to deliver messages to people from God.

Brilliant artists simply began incorporating wings on angels some time during history. Because of this tradition, it is nearly impossible to think of an angel without large, powerful, magical wings. After all, they needed some means of transportation from the skies down to Earth.

Historical Wings

Archeologists have actually revealed mummies from around the globe with wing tattoos which proves they have been a strong symbol used in many cultures. Unfortunately it is impossible to know why exactly these people from past times wore them.

In the ancient world, speed and power were represented by wings. In fact, images and statues from civilizations of many years ago depicted animals of speed such as horses or lions with wings. Many gods were often winged as well, suggesting that they were more than capable of flying through the air. Hermes, a Greek god, wore wings on his ankles and Mercury, the Roman god, was displayed in quite a similar way.


Wing tattoos have been worn throughout time by people of all culture and every religion for their simple representation of flight. They can signify an escape from an earthly existence or represent limitless freedom. Wings that are associated with mythological creatures such as unicorns, griffins and dragons hold the same meaning as flying animals of the planet such as butterflies, bees and birds. They are all free to move about freely as they choose.

Wing tattoos have also been worn by some individuals in history as a representation of transformation in those that study magic. The very presence of wings allows for various combinations of the four elements, fire and wind, sky and earth. Individuals that wear wing tattoos to celebrate Mother Nature’s powers traditionally choose ravens, hawks and falcons. They can symbolize strength and freedom as well as paganism, voodoo and black magic.

Kanji Symbols

A Detailed Look at Kanji Symbols

While some tattooists embrace the opportunity to complete kanji symbols, others completely reject the idea. Kanji is not something that you can simply master without a substantial amount of dedication and practice. Those who are very good at it are very talented and highly respected artists.

Kanji symbols are part of a very complex system that is based on pictographs rather than alphabetical letters. Every symbol requires up to 30 individuals strokes from the pen. Many symbols are complex, offering up to 10 different interpretations which means that it takes great skill to have the linguistic knowledge that is needed to accurately analyze what the kanji symbols mean. Therefore, if Japanese is not your native tongue, you cannot be guaranteed of the exact meaning of your tattoo unless you fully trust your tattooist.

Despite the risk that comes with wearing a permanent display of the unknown, kanji symbols account for a large portion of tattoos received everyday. Why? Simply because they have unique, mysterious, bold and beautiful qualities all rolled into one symbol.

Types of Kanji Symbols

There are a few types of kanji symbols that are seen more in tattoos than they are in everyday use. Kaisho is one that you are probably familiar with, characterized by the bold angular black script. Kanji is also commonly written in gyosho, which is semi-cursive or sosho, which is full cursive. The style chosen is usually based on how the client accepts the flow of the symbol. Some people prefer a soft and loose look while others like the look of a tight, neat symbol.

Choosing a text style for kanji symbols should always be a choice of personal reflection and never forced by the artist. After all, tattoos are about self-interpretation. Some masters of the dialect even suggest that you don’t necessarily need to know the meaning of a symbol, some people are drawn to one for whatever reason and the meaning usually ends up fitting them well.

The Difficulty of Kanji Symbols

When writing kanji symbols, every one of them demands an exact order of brush strokes. This can never be altered. For a tattoo artist to draw these symbols and complete them precisely the way that they are meant to look is extremely difficult. It is also rare to find someone with such talent to do so.

It is advised when you decide to get kanji tattoos to take the time to research your tattooist. Look at their portfolio and experience in the related field. If you want to feel completely confident in the meaning of your symbol, there are trusted and respected stencil that you can purchase online to take to your tattooist to use.