Sacred Ink: A Brief History of Religious Tattoos Across Cultures
- Joshua Chatwin
- Nov 22, 2025
- 6 min read
Despite what most folks ponder on about religion, the damned fact is that for thousands of years people have been practicing various forms of religion and marking their bodies with symbols of faith, protection, and rebellion. Crosses adorned pilgrim's wrists, Buddhist mantras etched by monks, Norse runes scrawled by raiders—you name it, someone believed it was holy enough to bleed for. The act of blood-letting through tattoo can be sacred and cleansing, even today–if you'd just shut the zuckerjob's box off and Be Here Now.
And for the non-believers? Don’t worry, there's no such thing! Non-belief is only misdirection and into social "religions" and causes with all the same hallmarks of traditional religion. It's just how our meatbags are wired...but if you really want to practice tongue-in-cheek satire, hold onto your poopy britches because at the end we'll take a trip to the olde Olive Garden.
Christianity: Pilgrim Passports and Sacred Hearts
For Christians, tattoos are both taboo and tradition. Leviticus 19:28 is the verse every tattoo-hating aunt cites, but history says otherwise, and you're Budweiser tipping auntie agrees with history..Just a few examples:
"You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord” -Leviticus 19:28
Coptic Christians in Egypt still tattoo tiny crosses on their wrists to show faith and identity.
Medieval pilgrims in Jerusalem tattooed the Jerusalem Cross as proof of their holy journey.
Sailors carried crosses, anchors, and Sacred Hearts across oceans as protective charms.
Faith isn’t just in your heart—it’s on your skin, and sometimes that’s the same damned hing.
Studio Spotlight: Razzouk Tattoo in Jerusalem has been tattooing pilgrims since the 1300s. Holeeeeee Shit. Their archive of hand-carved wooden stamps is basically a living museum of Christian tattoo flash.
The Jerusalem cross represents Christ and the spread of the Gospel throughout the world, with the five crosses holding several layers of meaning. It is also known as the Crusader's cross, as it was adopted by the Crusaders who captured Jerusalem in the 11th and 12th centuries.
Symbolic meanings of the five crosses
The five wounds of Christ
One of the most common interpretations is that the five crosses represent the five wounds Jesus received during his crucifixion.
The four smaller crosses symbolize the wounds on his hands and feet.
The large central cross signifies the wound in his side from the soldier's spear.
The four Gospels and Christ
Another popular interpretation is that the five crosses symbolize the New Testament.
The four smaller crosses represent the four Gospels as delivered by the evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
The large central cross represents Jesus Christ himself.
Judaism: Prohibition, Memory, and Rebellion
Tattooing is technically forbidden in Jewish law, but modern practice is complicated.
Leviticus ban (yup that same damned verse): Historically kept Jews from tattooing.
Holocaust tattoos: The forced numbering at Auschwitz makes tattoos deeply loaded symbols of trauma.
Reclamation: Some descendants now tattoo their grandparents’ numbers as memorials. Others ink Stars of David, Hebrew letters, or pomegranates.
613 Mitzvot (Commandments): A common Jewish tradition teaches that the pomegranate is said to have 613 seeds, which directly correspond to the 613 commandments found in the Torah. A tattoo could represent a commitment to or a deep connection with these sacred obligations.
Islam: Forbidden Ink, Sacred Henna
Most Islamic scholars call tattoos haram (forbidden), but that hasn’t stopped everyone.
Henna is widely used in Muslim cultures as a spiritual and festive body art. Obviously not permanent, so this skirts religious law like you're Pabst loaded uncle pulling a french exit from the barbecue in his '72 Barracuda Hemi.
Underground tattoo culture exists in many Middle Eastern cities, with designs ranging from sacred geometric art to crescents.
The crescent in Islam primarily signifies the beginning of new Islamic months, which are determined by the sighting of the new crescent moon, or hilal. This marks important dates like the start and end of Ramadan and the Eid festivals. Beyond its practical use for timekeeping, the crescent also symbolizes renewal, unity, and faith.
Tattoos of text from the Qur'an? Controversial, often offensive–scratch that, generally offensive.
Remember, no image of the prophet Muhammad should be made in any art from, including tattoo. The primary reason Muhammad cannot be depicted in Islam is to prevent idolatry, ensuring all worship and focus remain solely on God (Allah). The prohibition, rooted in Islamic tradition (Hadith) rather than the Quran, aims to avoid creating physical objects that could become revered or worshipped instead of God.
Don’t Screw This Up: If you’re traveling in Muslim-majority countries, visible tattoos—especially with religious content—can get you in serious trouble.
Hinduism: Om, Lotuses, and Devotion in Ink
India’s tattoo tradition is one of the richest on earth.
Ramnami sect tattoos the name “Ram” across their bodies as lifelong devotion.
Om, lotus flowers, and Shiva’s trident are common Hindu symbols in tattooing.
Tribal and folk communities have used tattooing for protection and identity for centuries.
In Hinduism, tattooing isn’t rebellion—it’s devotion carved in skin.
Sacred Placement: In many Hindu traditions, sacred symbols like Om should not be tattooed below the waist.
Buddhism: Magic Spells and Monastic Ink
Sak Yant tattoos in Thailand are etched by monks with bamboo or steel rods.
Designs like the Hah Taew (five lines) or Gao Yord (nine spires) are blessings of protection.
Lotus flowers, Dharma wheels, and Bodhi leaves are common motifs.
Buddha portraits? Risky. In many countries, visible Buddha tattoos are considered disrespectful and even illegal–and never below the waist
Studio Spotlight: Wat Bang Phra temple outside Bangkok is the epicenter of authentic Sak Yant tattooing.
Japan: Bodhisattvas, Dragons, and the Irezumi Tradition
Traditional Japanese irezumi has always been spiritual but has a solid historical link to Japanese gangs (Yakuza) and can be frowned upon in general society. Don't expect to be welcomed in a bath house with visible tattoos.
The Yakuza are members of transnational organized crime syndicates in Japan, involved in activities like gambling, extortion, and drug trafficking. Though not outlawed, they are regulated by police who officially refer to them as "bōryokudan" or "violent groups". Yakuza members are known for elaborate tattoos and, traditionally, for practicing yubitsume (chopping off a finger) as a form of apology.
Fudō Myō-ō and Kannon dominate full-body pieces.
Dragons and waves symbolize divine protection and balance.
Tattoo masters (Horiyoshi III) still apply designs with tebori hand-poking, maintaining the old religious aesthetic.
Pagan, Norse, and Celtic: Sacred Runes and Spirals
From Norse raiders to Celtic mystics, pagan tattoos connected warriors and wanderers to the divine and undoubtedly made them more fucking intimidating to their enemies.
Runes, Thor’s hammer, and Yggdrasil (world tree) are classic designs.
Celtic spirals and knotwork symbolize eternity and interconnection.
Māori tā moko and other indigenous traditions tie ink directly to ancestry and spirit.
MUST KNOW: Some Norse symbols (like the Valknut) have been hijacked by extremists, primarily the Aryan Brotherhood and other white supremacist groups. Know the context before you wear it.
Atheists: Holy Icons of Science and Satire
No gods? No problem. Atheists and agnostics have their own tattoo canon to poke fun or exhibit their own secular belief structures and ideology.
Darwin fish (evolution’s clapback to the Jesus fish)
Atomic symbols and periodic tables
Carl Sagan quotes or “No gods, no masters”
Flying Spaghetti Monster for the satirical crowd
The Flying Spaghetti was created in response to the Kansas State Board of Education's decision to allow the teaching of intelligent design alongside evolution. Bobby Henderson, who is described as the "prophet," demanded equal time in science classes for "Flying Spaghetti Monsterism" to highlight the arbitrary nature of adding intelligent design to the curriculum. Monsters always make gnarly tattoos, and this one comes with all you can eat breadsticks.
Satire painting of the Flying Spaghetti Monster
Historic Studios Keeping the Faith
Razzouk Tattoo (Jerusalem, est. 1300s): Pilgrimage tattoos with centuries-old wooden stamps, highlighted above-
Tattoo Ole (Copenhagen, 1884): Oldest tattoo shop in the world, born out of sailor religion and superstition.
Tattoo Peter (Amsterdam, 1955): Netherlands’ oldest shop, heavy on sailor crosses and Sacred Hearts.
Wat Bang Phra (Thailand): A Buddhist monastery, not a tattoo shop but home of Sak Yant blessings.
Final Word: Faith, Flesh, and Forever Inking Religious Tattoos
Religious tattoos aren’t just “designs.” They’re living prayers, curses, devotions, and rebellions etched indelibly into flesh. They are a fucking statement, exclaiming one's faith or lack there of to a modern screen-cold world is an act of bravery. Whether it’s a cross, a lotus, or a Flying Spaghetti Monster, tattooing is how we human meatpuppets make our beliefs permanent and open to the world. If you’re ready to wear your faith—or your lack of it—on your sleeve, stop in and let's make it happen. All are welcome and treated the same, just don't be a dick.
Further Reading
Joshua Chatwin, tattooing since 2010, owns Fox & Sparrow Tattoo with his wife and fellow tattooer, Samantha Chatwin. They live in and love Muncie Indiana with their daughter, Olivia, and two Papillon dogs, Honey Bear & Maple Wolf. Give him a good book, a good cigar, and about 30 in the sauna and he's happier than a pig in shit.
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