Hunter Morrow Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 I've seen a few of them at college and around town lately and I am wondering if the people know what message that sends? I've always associated the inverted cross with anti-Christianity, Satanism in particular. Until I had read on this message board that people will request "crosses that are facing them" I never thought of that as a reason for having an upside down cross tattoo. The only frame of reference I have for that tattoo would be somebody getting a swastika with the justification that it is for good luck and good health. Maybe they are Buddhist or something? Pretty much nobody is going to see a swastika tattoo and think "good luck charm." Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2114-upside-downinverted-crosses-and-inadvertently-offensive-tattoos/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
CultExciter Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 Inverted crosses are just badass, left-hand-path imagery. No more, no less. wulfbaron, Ursula, eisen777 and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2114-upside-downinverted-crosses-and-inadvertently-offensive-tattoos/#findComment-33941 Share on other sites More sharing options...
riot Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 not everyone is a christian. not everyone cares if they offend christians. some people actually delight in it. i'm pretty sure these people with upside down crosses know exactly what they are doing. posterboy7596, Gregor, slave and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2114-upside-downinverted-crosses-and-inadvertently-offensive-tattoos/#findComment-33950 Share on other sites More sharing options...
smiling.politely Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 perhaps they're super into Catholocism, since it's actually supposed to be the cross of St. Peter... he was crucified upside down, which some say he requested since he felt he was unworthy of crucifixion in the same fashion as Jesus. if you know your history of religious symbolism, it's amusing when people try to be "satanic" or something to that effect, when they're really displaying a symbol of humility to Christ. an upside down crucifix (cross with Jesus) has the meaning they're looking for. and i've not seen any upside down crosses in my area as part of the upside-down tattoo epidemic. as said before, they tend to know what they're doing (or trying to do) with that one. as far as swastikas, if they're done in or surrounded by things that give away their intent (be it Buddhist, Native America, or any of multitude of religions that use it), they're much more likely to go down smooth. Tight-Lines and slayer9019 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2114-upside-downinverted-crosses-and-inadvertently-offensive-tattoos/#findComment-33955 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abellve Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 Right, certainly people get St. peter's cross on occasion for St. Peter and inverted crosses for its anti Christian or metal sentiments...but the op is talking specifically about people that get it "facing them"...in their heads it's not inverted at all. Usually. It seems to be girls, not unlike script words on the wrist or forearm...the difference is, when you see "faith" written upside-down, you know it says "faith" and that it's upside-down. It strikes me as odd that people getting crosses in places that are visible and readable to the public get them in such an easily misinterpreted way though. Hunter Morrow 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2114-upside-downinverted-crosses-and-inadvertently-offensive-tattoos/#findComment-33962 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abellve Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 ...as far as swastikas, if they're done in or surrounded by things that give away their intent (be it Buddhist, Native America, or any of multitude of religions that use it), they're much more likely to go down smooth. True. Context is everything and you either have to disambiguate or prepare for people to not "get it". Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2114-upside-downinverted-crosses-and-inadvertently-offensive-tattoos/#findComment-33963 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Morrow Posted April 30, 2012 Author Share Posted April 30, 2012 You said that a lot better than I did, Abellve. After reading around the forums it seems that a Cross tattoo doesn't really mean somebody is a Christian and in many cases might mean the opposite. Just seems to be such a classic and enduring tattoo design. I suppose I am messing up, too. It isn't like every time somebody gets a sparrow or swallow tattoo that the traveled around the world on a boat or got released from prison! Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2114-upside-downinverted-crosses-and-inadvertently-offensive-tattoos/#findComment-33964 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunny Switchblade Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 I have never worried about the message I send to others with my tattoos.....i get them for me and me only! jade1955, BSAjunkie, Abellve and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2114-upside-downinverted-crosses-and-inadvertently-offensive-tattoos/#findComment-33965 Share on other sites More sharing options...
posterboy7596 Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 It's interesting that this was brought up. I've got a fairly narrow spot in the middle of my chest left to fill and have considered a heavy metal/satanic(ish) cross there. My inspiration is in trying to keep tattoos at least a bit scary. Tattoos used to be, and still are to some extent, a middle finger to the world. It's all about being to each his own, and as was stated before there are no doubt people(maybe a lot of them) that couldn't give a shit less what religious people think of their tattoos. JAllen 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2114-upside-downinverted-crosses-and-inadvertently-offensive-tattoos/#findComment-33969 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 Baphomet is so goddamn cool. Upside down crosses 4eva. 4evaeva. lving4today, Gregor and CultExciter 3 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2114-upside-downinverted-crosses-and-inadvertently-offensive-tattoos/#findComment-33976 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CultExciter Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 LaVeyian Satanism is so misunderstood. I definitely hold some of it's tenants dear to me as a moral code. Whatever, do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law... Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2114-upside-downinverted-crosses-and-inadvertently-offensive-tattoos/#findComment-33982 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 There's actually a really nice inverted cross chest piece on Alexander Grim's Instagram profile. I'm not sure if it's the stereotypical satanic reference, but I'm going to guess it's more in reference to St. Peter...cuz well, he's located in St. Petersburg. It's kind of medieval with a dragon framing it. I've no idea how to post an Instagram pic to this forum but his profile is: alexandergrim Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2114-upside-downinverted-crosses-and-inadvertently-offensive-tattoos/#findComment-33988 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuckhead Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 I wonder how many of the (intentionally) inverse crosses are placed on upper arms/thighs/chests where they are covered up so you can be silently anti-. If you really want to freak out the squares, get it tattooed on your forehead. That'll show 'em! Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2114-upside-downinverted-crosses-and-inadvertently-offensive-tattoos/#findComment-33989 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 get a swastika tattoo on your forehead. no one's done that...wait... Ursula 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2114-upside-downinverted-crosses-and-inadvertently-offensive-tattoos/#findComment-33990 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregor Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 LaVeyian Satanism is so misunderstood. I definitely hold some of it's tenants dear to me as a moral code.Whatever, do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law... Its a bit like objectivism with some revenge thrown in right ? Too much Ayn Rand influence for my liking. Jack 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2114-upside-downinverted-crosses-and-inadvertently-offensive-tattoos/#findComment-33991 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CultExciter Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 Haha, that's I why I said "some of it's tenants." I consider myself a bit of a mashup of Buddhism, Nietzsche-ism, and pinko commie scum. kylegrey 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2114-upside-downinverted-crosses-and-inadvertently-offensive-tattoos/#findComment-33999 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perez Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 LaVeyian Satanism is so misunderstood. I definitely hold some of it's tenants dear to me as a moral code.Whatever, do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law... That's actually Crowley by way of Rabelais, not LaVey. Moreover, that quote is super misused/misunderstood, by "what thou wilt" Crowley was referring to the Thelemic concept of one's "True Will" or your "calling." So in essence, what that quote really means is "Find/follow your path," not "Do whatever you want." JAllen, thebadnewshughes and hogg 3 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2114-upside-downinverted-crosses-and-inadvertently-offensive-tattoos/#findComment-34012 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CultExciter Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 @Perez, Right, I was aware that it was a Crowley quote, I was just throwing in a few more sentiments from that side of things. I totally understand that I used it in context with LaVey, so I understand the need to address it. I tend to agree, also, with your interpretation of that line... Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2114-upside-downinverted-crosses-and-inadvertently-offensive-tattoos/#findComment-34015 Share on other sites More sharing options...
riot Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 i (VERY RECENTLY) talked a friend of mine out of getting an upside-down cross on his face right below his eye. i told him it would look a little too gangster. ha ha. really i just thought he'd look like a dufus. Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2114-upside-downinverted-crosses-and-inadvertently-offensive-tattoos/#findComment-34022 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursula Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 I saw a dude get the nazi ss on his thumb a couple days ago. He's pretty heavily tattooed including his face. It did look bad ass but I would never get something like that. Nazi shit is a little too far for me. I don't currently have any super offensive stuff like that. I do however own these pants which get me all kinds of crazy looks. missStark, David Flores, wulfbaron and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2114-upside-downinverted-crosses-and-inadvertently-offensive-tattoos/#findComment-34027 Share on other sites More sharing options...
embers Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 i have 3 on me in my derek noble sleeve (finishing this friday btw) Gregor and RoryQ 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2114-upside-downinverted-crosses-and-inadvertently-offensive-tattoos/#findComment-34030 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CultExciter Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 About 5 or 6 years ago, I saw this incredible sleeve (not something I would wear) but still awesome. I think it was by Chad Soner, but I could be wrong. It was a piece of pizza nailed to the cross and then a bunch of zombies eating Jesus. I wish I could find a pic of that thing, it was bonkers. Ursula, RoryQ and Hunter Morrow 3 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2114-upside-downinverted-crosses-and-inadvertently-offensive-tattoos/#findComment-34033 Share on other sites More sharing options...
riot Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 ursula looks like she only has one leg Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2114-upside-downinverted-crosses-and-inadvertently-offensive-tattoos/#findComment-34047 Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Flores Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 Some people might take offense at this tattoo done by Ashley Howell on my friend and co worker Derek. (rest of front and arms by Ross Ferrie). CultExciter, Lochlan, jayessebee and 6 others 9 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2114-upside-downinverted-crosses-and-inadvertently-offensive-tattoos/#findComment-34048 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CultExciter Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 jayessebee and lving4today 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2114-upside-downinverted-crosses-and-inadvertently-offensive-tattoos/#findComment-34052 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.