The most obvious symbol of cross tattoo maybe a religious one, there may be a lot of different meanings. It is mostly associated with the Christian religion. Although it is often the case, these popular designs can also have other meanings. Here is a rundown of some of the most common reasons why people get cross tattoos.
Christian and Catholic symbolism is not the only basis for cross tattoos, it is a very important one. Many Christians and Catholics feel very strongly about their religious convictions and find this is a good way to express faith by placing permanent declaration of it on their body.
Christian and Catholic cross tattoos usually feature the Latin cross. It has three equal spokes pointing up and to each side, and one long spoke pointing down , like a lower case letter T. Some Catholic tattoos feature a crucifix, which depicts Jesus being crucified on the cross.
The Celtic cross is often a combination of two different symbols: the Latin cross, and a circle. The circle is usually centered over the place where the two lines in the Latin cross intersect.
Celtic tattoos combine religious and mystical symbolism from two very different cultures. The obvious one is the Christian concept of being saved from damnation. However, the circle also represents the ancient concept that is sometimes flippantly referred to as the circle of life , the notion that life and death is cyclical and eternal.
The Maltese cross has become a popular symbol of courage and sacrifice in today's culture. Firefighters wear the Maltese design as a sign of their dedication to their job. This dates back to the Crusades, when the Knights of St. John, who were from Malta , fought to save their comrades from a new weapon that burned the troops alive.
The iron cross is a cross symbol that is infamous for its connection with the German military.It has four equal prongs that flare out at each end, was first used by the German military in 1870. Although it was only a symbol of the armed forces back then, over time the iron cross was used as a military decoration during times of war. As a result, these designs are now strongly associated with military valor and German history.
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| Iron Cross |
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| Celtic Cross |
