Any cool Christian tattoos?

[shinobi]

I don't know about you guys, but I sometimes struggle to find

a Christian themed tattoo that really excites me, and I'm a bona fide

Jesus freak.

Don't get me wrong, Rock of Ages is cool and all, but other than that

crosses and praying hands don't really excite me.

Do you guys have or know of any cool Christian Themed tattoos?

[gougetheeyes]

Can't go wrong with an icon tattoo.

[David Flores]

The virgin de guadalupe is pretty powerful imagery, and all the secular interpretations people have come up with are pretty entertaining. I think the problem these days is people who get christian tattoos just want to get script lettering of bible verses.

[Shaun1105]

I think the problem these days is people who get christian tattoos just want to get script lettering of bible verses.

That's exactly what I was planning to get for my first tattoo! I was even in the process of rereading the New Testament with a highlighter looking for good options to fit on my left chest. Luckily the Internet saved me and taught me about good tattoos. I would be quite upset now if I had used up my chest on text!

I will post a pic of what I did end up getting when I can get to my computer.

[reverend1]

That's exactly what I was planning to get for my first tattoo! I was even in the process of rereading the New Testament with a highlighter looking for good options to fit on my left chest. Luckily the Internet saved me and taught me about good tattoos. I would be quite upset now if I had used up my chest on text!

I will post a pic of what I did end up getting when I can get to my computer.

Yep, you dodged a bullet.

[Roca53]

The virgin de guadalupe is pretty powerful imagery, and all the secular interpretations people have come up with are pretty entertaining. I think the problem these days is people who get christian tattoos just want to get script lettering of bible verses.

I really don't understand the long literary tattoos and for some odd reason a lot of people think they look good. When it comes to art to me images are more powerful than words.

[tatB]

sacred hearts and jesus heads are solid classics. i want one of each even though i'm not all that religious. i just think they are powerful images that make great tattoos.

[CultExciter]

You can't go wrong with a Sacred Heart, it's just classic. I'm particularly fond of the one on this H20 album cover, done by @Scott Sylvia himself, 15 years ago? Shit, we are getting old.

[David Flores]

I am sure there is a wealth of imagery that could be created from the stories in the bible, but I don't think a lot of people want tattoos of the lesser know characters in the bible, it's really all about Jesus and Mary and of course the tattoo of St Michael that people get keeping the devil out of heaven with his staff, pitchfork thing. If you are Catholic I there are probably more options, as there seems to be a lot of depictions of different saints. Depending on what the saint stood for or maybe what saint you were baptized under that could be an option.

[Graeme]

Like pretty much any other tattoo design, what makes a tattoo exciting or not isn't the design itself but rather how the design is conceived and executed. Look into Freddie Corbin. Steve Byrne and Tony Hundahl have done a lot of great Christian tattoos. Robert Ryan too. Look at Freddie Negrete's tattoos. I'm not into photorealism but Nikko Hurtado's religious tattoos are stunning.

[shinobi]

Good stuff!

Hey, this guy specializes in Christian tattoos:

Life After Death Tattoo | Tattooing for the Glory of Jesus

Used to work at Sid's in Santa Ana in SoCal.

Also does some skateboard graphics.

I like how he still uses cool images like skulls and webs in is work.

Manages to make Christian tattoos have that edgy look that I like.

[Shaun1105]

This is the tattoo I ended up getting instead of a verse done in text. Hebrews 6:19-7:2 would be the reference. When I thought of it I didn't really realize that anchor tattoos were so common, but I realize it's a classic image so I'm glad I went with it anyway.

Done by Chris Lombardi at Hand of Doom Tattoo in Buffalo, NY.

Edited December 28, 2012 by Shaun1105
added artist info + link to verse

[shinobi]

This post has me looking heavy at getting a sacred heart on my forearm.

I think I know just the guy to do it too..

[SStu]

Randy Muller

[David Flores]

Good stuff!

Hey, this guy specializes in Christian tattoos:

Life After Death Tattoo | Tattooing for the Glory of Jesus

Used to work at Sid's in Santa Ana in SoCal.

Also does some skateboard graphics.

I like how he still uses cool images like skulls and webs in is work.

Manages to make Christian tattoos have that edgy look that I like.

If you are in Costa Mesa, you need to be going here. Artists « Gold Rush Tattoo

Let's put it this way, If i was in the market for a tattoo, religious or otherwise in Costa Mesa this would be the place to go.

[chrislj54]

This is mine. Traditional but also Christian. Done by Matt Howse Spider Murphy's. I also have a St. Michael on my back.

[shinobi]

If you are in Costa Mesa, you need to be going here. Artists « Gold Rush Tattoo

Let's put it this way, If i was in the market for a tattoo, religious or otherwise in Costa Mesa this would be the place to go.

I've seen their studio before in Newport-Mesa.

That Jesus piece by Joel Bones looks serious. I'll check em out.

[Dan S]

Man, I just gotta be a troublemaker! Seriously, I'm not tryina bust anyone's stones here, just curious as to how others view this. I'm not a christian, so my feelings about the subject come from a different angle.

"Even among many Christians the once-forbidden tattoo is welcomed with open arms (and legs, and necks, and backs, et al). Not surprising the major perpetrator of the Christian tattoo is the Christian rock music community. And fast following their Christian rock idols, thousands of Christian young people are getting "marked for Jesus" with the tattoo. Among the fastest growing trend in the tattoo industry is the Christian tattoo shops."

TO TATTOO OR NOT TO TATTOO

So, there seems to be many different viewpoints in christianity, but the more "traditional" views, especially of the hardshell variety, seem to be more or less inline with those offered on the site referenced.

C'mon you sinners, whattaya think?!?!?!?!?

[else]

Oh geez! Did you read the rest of the pages?!?

I only read the next two The Mark of Blood and The Cup of Devils but apparently we're all going to spend eternity in the fiery pits.

- - - Updated - - -

"Take a tour of most tattoo shops and morbid scenes of death, demons, serpents, and hell will engulf you! Grim reapers, flaming skulls, snakes crawling through skulls, demons, Satan, pornography, blasphemy, naked flames of hell – every satanic scene of hell is glorified. Who do you think is the "master artist" painting such hellish scenes in the minds of the tattooist? You know as well as I do who’s the real "master tattooist". . ."

A big part of my family growing up was hardcore pentecostal. My great grandmother regularly spoke in tongues, the devil was lurking EVERYWHERE to tempt the weak. I was even exorcised once as a teenager (a TERRIFYING experience). I really hate all of this stuff. Super anxiety provoking. In my current life filled with people who are very inclusive in their beliefs I often forget that this kind of thing is out there.

[Lochlan]

I've seen their studio before in Newport-Mesa.

That Jesus piece by Joel Bones looks serious. I'll check em out.

You just need to walk-in set up an appointment and get tattooed at Gold Rush. There will be no regret unless you over think it. Listo, Todo, No mas.

[Graeme]

Oh geez! Did you read the rest of the pages?!?

I only read the next two The Mark of Blood and The Cup of Devils but apparently we're all going to spend eternity in the fiery pits.

I guess the people running that site wouldn't dig my little Baphomet tattoo?

[Dan S]

Oh geez! Did you read the rest of the pages?!?

I only read the next two The Mark of Blood and The Cup of Devils but apparently we're all going to spend eternity in the fiery pits.

- - - Updated - - -

A big part of my family growing up was hardcore pentecostal. My great grandmother regularly spoke in tongues, the devil was lurking EVERYWHERE to tempt the weak. I was even exorcised once as a teenager (a TERRIFYING experience). I really hate all of this stuff. Super anxiety provoking. In my current life filled with people who are very inclusive in their beliefs I often forget that this kind of thing is out there.

Once I started I had to read through the whole site. I spent two years in a "youth home" in Missouri as a teen, lotsa Pentacostals, Hardshells, and like that around. In latter years, I even ran across some snake-handlers..to each their own, but I want no part of it.

[Hogrider]

C'mon you sinners, whattaya think?!?!?!?!?

I'm so disgusted and ashamed :-(

Well, since I'm already damaged goods, I guess I'll just go get another tattoo!!

That article proves the Mark Twain saying, "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits."

[Dan S]

I guess the people running that site wouldn't dig my little Baphomet tattoo?

I'm guessing not, and I won't even start with my picture of Wotan on his throne!!!

- - - Updated - - -

I'm so disgusted and ashamed :-(

Well, since I'm already damaged goods, I guess I'll just go get another tattoo!!

That article proves the Mark Twain saying, "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits."

Down on your knees and repent if you please!

I guess the part that has always interested me is the dichotomy that exists within the "christian" community. I was raised catholic, and left when I could no longer reconcile words and deeds. Took me till I was 12 or so. That said, I always thought that if you are a member of a club, and publicly identify yourself as such, then you should follow the rules of the club. If I tell people "the bible says it, I believe it, and that's that!", then I for sure should be hewing to the word, right?

Ah well...just idle speculation on a cold morning. No offense meant to anyone, nor denigration of any religious belief intended.

No icons were injured in the production of this post.

[else]

I spent two years in a "youth home" in Missouri as a teen

I spent a year in a "youth home" in Georgia as a teen. It was something.

It definitely contributed to making me the person that I am today (but probably not exactly in the ways they intended).