Catholic Tattoo Meanings
Apart from showcasing one’s religion, Catholic tattoos can represent quite a few concepts.
They represent one’s devotion and faith in the catholic church. These tattoos carry specific meaning depending on the element you get, such as Mother Mary, Jesus, the cross, nails, or a rosary. The cross signifies sacrifice and love, while Mother Mary may represent holiness and an unwavering belief in God. The nails may signify going through a struggle and the rosary symbolizes one’s faith. One may also get the crown of thorns as an homage to Jesus’ suffering. Some may even go deeper into the Bible with elements like a fig tree, Mount Sinai, the tablet of the ten commandments, the two loaves of bread and five fish, and more. Most people prefer to get the tattoo inked on an easily visible body part so they can share their story with others. It is a clear indication of your spiritual connection.
Catholic tattoos are rich in history and they have been there since early times. While some people go for the popular designs like the Mother Mary statue or the Holy Cross, others get to the depth of the religion with Biblical verses. Even those who like historical tattoos can have a liking for Catholic tattoos. If you are drawn towards spiritual and historical tattoos, here are some exclusive designs to keep you attracted.
8 Beautiful Catholic Tattoo Ideas
So, now that you know how meaningful Catholic tattoos are, nothing can keep you from getting a unique design inked on yourself. Here are some tattoos you can draw inspiration from. Read on to know them all!
1. Catholic Religious Tattoo
Mother Mary is among the most popular tattoo designs. It represents your devotion to the Catholic faith and an unwavering belief in God. You can choose to get this tattoo inked using different art styles. This black and gray design is perfect for those who like simple tattoos with a clear message. The color palette is suitable for all skin tones. You can also scale the tattoo according to your liking.
2. Mexican Catholic Tattoo
Mexican Catholic tattoos have a different fanbase. The most popular design is Mother Mary drawn in a Chicano art style. Our Lady of Guadalupe is a powerful symbol in the Mexican faith and is associated with almost everything including social justice and feminism. You can get the tattoo inked in a realistic style like this to really pack a punch or in a simple traditional art style to focus on the story of your faith.
3. Traditional Catholic Tattoo
One of the most common Catholic tattoos to get is that of a traditional cross. Here the design features a cross as seen on most stained glasses in old school churches. This religious tattoo is a clear sign of one’s belief in Christianity. The cross by itself stands for sacrifice, love, or going through a particularly tough period but coming out victorious.
4. Guardian Angel Catholic Tattoo
A guardian angel tattoo represents faith, protection, and a source of courage. The color and shading makes the design look like a statue you see in old churches. The background of the angel is like the stained glass windows you see in traditional churches. You can add colors to the tattoo if you like or leave it with its old-school charm. Elements like the cross or a verse from the Bible can also be added to make the tattoo look more authentic.
5. Irish Catholic Tattoo
The most popular Irish Catholic tattoo is a Celtic cross. It is drawn using knots and has been creatively adapted by tattoo artists to make designs unique and different from each other. You can choose the placement of the tattoo based on the size you want to get it in. While some go the traditional black and gray outline look, others choose to color the tattoo to add a more glamorous appearance.
6. Catholic Tattoo For Females
When it comes to feminine tattoos, nothing speaks to women more than Mother Mary herself. Not only did she believe in God completely, but she also made Jesus perform his first miracle ever noted in the Bible. She is THE symbol of faith in the Catholic belief. You can add more meaning to the tattoo by adding a Bible verse or a date that means a lot to you.
7. Catholic Forearm Tattoo
Forearms are always a great place to get a tattoo, and even when it comes to a detailed topic like Catholic tattoos, it is just perfect. You can get a colorful baby Jesus tattoo on your forearm, done in the American traditional tattooing style. There is no bar on how colorful you want the tattoo to be since the shades bring the design to life, making your story of faith even more captivating.
8. Roman Catholic Tattoo
Another common Catholic tattoo is a cross paired with flowers. The cross signifies Jesus’ sacrifice for mankind and the flowers symbolize the beauty of the story of his death and resurrection. Some of Jesus’ female followers would go to his grave with spices and flowers before he resurrected, showing their complete devotion to him and his message. The intricate design and bright colors really bring this tattoo to life.
