Getting a Tattoo – Cross Designs

When you decide to get a tattoo, the possibilities are endless. Depending on personal preference, you may want words, designs or even pictures but only you can decide. A popular choice because of its versatility is the cross. Cross designs can be any size or colour and can be tattooed pretty much wherever you want. There are thousands of cross designs out there to choose from and here we explore just a few of them.

Celtic Cross Designs

Because of its intriguing Celtic knots, the Celtic cross is an extremely fashionable choice. The standard cross has a circle around its middle which is embellished with Celtic knots for a striking design. You can choose to have the cross tattooed in many different colours and it’s a popular choice for an armband tattoo.

Christian Cross Tattoo

Religious people might use the cross design to symbolise their faith as the cross is a strong symbol within the Christian faith. The Latin cross is a common design which consists of a vertical link that represents the divine and a horizontal line that represents the world. Where these two lines cross in the middle shows the union of the two. These crosses can be any size but a lot of people opt for a subtle, small design on their wrist or arm.

If you choose to have a crucifix tattooed on your body (a depiction of Jesus Christ on a wooden cross), this is a very strong religious symbol.

Gothic Cross Tattoos

Although Gothicism isn’t recognised as an actual religion, a lot of Gothic fans like to sport religious symbols, especially the Catholic cross. The Gothic cross is generally a very intricate design commonly consisting of barbed wire or knives. The design is typically done using a very dark ink so that the finished result looks like it’s made out of iron. The inspiration behind many Gothic cross designs stems from Germanic influences.

Choosing a Cross Design

Above are just a few designs that you could choose from if you are considering getting a cross tattoo. As with any other tattoo design, it’s always wise to fully understand the meanings behind these designs and what they represent. Crosses hold special meaning for a lot of people so it’s important to remember that some may be offended by your tattoos. This is not a reason to avoid getting a tattoo, but if you would rather avoid such situations, it’s best to get your design somewhere not immediately obvious to passers-by.

It’s also worth remembering that tattoos are a lifelong choice. Yes, you can opt to have them removed but this can be time consuming and sometimes expensive. It’s far better to choose something you are absolutely certain about. You may also find that tattoos can be a complication in daily life, for example in applying for jobs. Some employers have strict rules about body art so if this might affect you in the future, make sure your designs are easy to cover up.