Religious Tattoos
Ever since the time tattooing began, religious tattoos have existed in the world. In fact, the very first tattoos that the pagans used on their skins were religious in nature ¨C they were used to affiliate them to various communities. These were the very same communities that were the precursors of religions in a later world. There were certainly times when tattoos became taboos. Even Christianity has seen times when tattoos were abhorred. In religions like Islam and Judaism, tattoos are taboo even today. At the same time, there are religions such as Buddhism in which tattoos are part of their religious symbolism.
However, times are changing. Religions that were once quite reticent to any kind of body art are now accepting these as a sign of the changing times. Today, religious tattoos have largely become fashion accessories. No, they haven't lost their cultural and religious significance at all, but they have certainly gained in popularity.
Out of all the religious tattoos in the world today, the Christian Crucifix, the Islamic religious symbol, the Jewish Star of David, the Japanese Yin-Yang symbols, the Egyptian Ankh and Eye of Horus and the Hindu Om symbols are very popular. Out of these, some symbols are used by people of the same religion that the symbols belong to, and are used to show a kind of solidarity with the religion they profess. But many of them, such as the Christian Crucifix, have been widely accepted by people of all religions. Such symbols are also used in vastly different and unconventional ways, and there are people who look upon them as purely fashion accessories and do not attach any religious affiliation with it.
Today, most religions would not mind people of their own faiths and even people of other faiths sporting some of their religious symbols as tattoos. However, there are certain parameters. Everyone who wears a religious tattoo must wear it on a respectable part of the body. Most religious tattoos can be used as a fashion accessory, but they should not be used for titillation. Also, it is highly important that the wearer of the tattoo knows the religious significance of the tattoo.
If you observe most modern tattoo galleries, you will find that the artists are using the actual religious symbols only for inspiration. Most of the religious tattoos today are not blatantly religious, but they incorporate elements from the religious symbol and come up with some innovative designs. This keeps controversy away and also brings a new touch to the religious symbol.
If you know the meaning of the religious symbol and if you wear it in a respectable place, you will find no problems sporting it. But you must remember that tattoos are permanent, and if you want to remove them there will be several problems, including scarring of the skin. Hence, you must think well before deciding on any religious tattoo.
