Catholic tattoos?

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Is it wrong for a Catholic to have a tattoo of a Christian image, Crucifix, Cross etc?
Any comments welcome including history of Catholic tattoos often seen on gangsters.
Could a true Catholic have one if they felt compelled to teh idea?
Thanks
 
In and of itself it’s fine. What needs to be taken into consideration are prudence, modesty, and temperance. i.e. No face tattoos, and perhaps nothing purposely ugly. Aside from that, tattoo away.
 
Years ago, when flogging was a common punishment for sailors, some sailors had a portrait of Christ, the Blessed Mother or a Crucifix tattooed on their back. This would cause the Master at Arms of the ship (the flogger) either to refuse to do the flogging, or not to hit so hard.
I can’t speak for anyone other than sailors, but I never met a sailor who was a Protestant that had religious tattoos.
I have never heard anything against having such skin adornments as long as they were respectful and not on intimate parts of the body.
 
It all depends on whether a tattoo is considered a mutilation of the body or a morally licit adornment of the body. I’m not aware of any Church teaching declaring which category tattoos fall into.
 
Thanks for those comments, I would see it as an act of dedication/permanence and sacrifice as in the pain but I have understand there is a tradition of Catholic tattoos on individuals of seemingly ill repute Mafia etc. I wondered if anyone had any knowledge of this history. It would be better to find out any negative conotations sooner rather than later…
 
Thanks for those comments, I would see it as an act of dedication/permanence and sacrifice as in the pain but I have understand there is a tradition of Catholic tattoos on individuals of seemingly ill repute Mafia etc. I wondered if anyone had any knowledge of this history. It would be better to find out any negative conotations sooner rather than later…
To my knowledge, no one is going to associate you with the Mafia for having Catholic-themed tattoos.

As far as the Church’s position on it, here’s what Jimmy Akin has to say. Basically, don’t get a tattoo that’s scandalous or transmits an immoral message, be sure that the process is safe (licensed artist, clean equipment, et c.) and is legal where you live (or are getting it done, at least), and make sure it’s something you won’t eventually regret (girlfriend’s name is generally the classic example).

Above all, make sure that you’re doing it to glorify God and not for attention. A modest-sized tattoo located in a place normally covered by clothing is often a more powerful example of dedication in its modesty than a flashy arm sleeve of tattoos or something crawling up your neck. That said, there’s nothing inherently sinful about having arm sleeve or neck tattoos.
 
Thanks again for all the comments.
After a little research I have learned that the Coptic Christians used tattoos to demonstrate thier faith. These were often on the wrist. A small Cross slightly to the front of the wrist could be a powerful sign and reminder to the wearer and all he/she interacts with…whislt I would choose a simple standard Christian cross and not the Coptic one, I understand that Coptic Christianity is in communion with Catholic Church, please let me know if otherwise.
Thanks
 
When I was in the marines a lot of the jar-heads would get tats while drunk, and then regret it. One “gun-bunny” got a tat that said “Breech Block”…what a block head! 😃
 
hahaha, yes it says something about an indiviual what ‘tat’ they choose, even if under the infuence at the time. I suppose I’m under the influence of Christ. I know He doesnt mind much either way but I want to show my dedication by a mark.
 
Here is a question of concern. I recently was discussing how I’d be bothered if my girlfriend got tattoos, piercings, dyed her hair. Mainly in the past she has stated she has no problem with getting a lower back tattoo. She would never wear anything revealing it. She is very modest. And she said she wouldn’t obviously show it to anyone. As well she has expressed that she has no problem with getting piercings in her brow, a small bolt in her nose, and dying her hair once or twice a year in vibrant colors. She said she is not trying to look cool, she is not trying to draw attention (she said if she was the last person on earth she would still do it because she thinks its artsy and she herself is an artist), and I guess I feel uncomfortable about all of this but am wondering if I shouldn’t. Is what she saying about doing these things wrong? She knows what connotations things have, but she doesn’t care what other people think, and she feels as long as she is being modest that its okay.
 
You cant stop her from getting the tattoo or piercing my friend as your actions will not be appreciated. These decorations are so fashionable these days I’m afraid we are stuck with them. If your girlfirnd is Catholic the answer could be to suffest a Catholic tattoo.
I got my tat, its a plain large cross on for-arm and already I have found myself speaking about my beliefs more than ever before. Im not sure what I have let myself in for but so far its been an evangelical experience.
 
Last summer, at the Defending the Faith Conference in Steubenville, I saw a deacon w/ a gorgeous tattoo of St. Francis on his leg.
 
I know a guy who isn’t particularly devout, but has a tattoo of St. Jude on his arm because he claims that he made it to the US from Cuba through St. Jude’s help.

I’ve often considered getting a tattoo of John Paul II’s coat of arms, though just the cross and the M (not the entire thing). I like it because it would be a cross and an M for both Mary, my heavenly mother, and for my earthly mother (Maria).
4.bp.blogspot.com/-GFcUEVd040w/T2j2_STR68I/AAAAAAAAAEw/7YdeEgoz-m0/s1600/JPII+Coat+of+Arms.png
 
There is nothing uglier then an old faded tattoo on an old body, and it doesn’t make any difference if it is Catholic or not. I am in the medical field, and see many people go through many procedures to try and get rid of them amd it isn’t any fun for them.

Just my probably unwelcomed 2cents
 
Is it wrong for a Catholic to have a tattoo of a Christian image, Crucifix, Cross etc?
Any comments welcome including history of Catholic tattoos often seen on gangsters.
Could a true Catholic have one if they felt compelled to teh idea?
Thanks
Personally, I’m not a fan of tattoos, whether they’re Catholic or otherwise. My take is that if God had wanted us to have these body alterations, we’d be born with them. Also, like you said, they can be misconstrued as gang symbols. The most important tattoo is the one on your heart, created by Baptism.
 
Dear Bothers and Sisters in Christ.
These are all valid and good comments.
Tattoos are a personal thing, some love and some hate them,the important thing is that there is nothing in scripture or in Catholic church doctrine that says you should not tattoo yourself in priase of God.
Its true to say that there are no instructions to do so either, we therefore conclude its a personal thing, One thing worth mentioning is
Leviticus 19/28’ which states - - Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.’’
This passage is often referred to as a prohibitor to tats. The verse is talking about a pagen practice at funerals where pagen mourners would mark themselves in the belief that they would gain favour with thier false gods and the deceased.
No mention anywhere about tottoos in praise of the Lord.
Lets not start a mad global Catholic tattoo craze but if it helps you evangelise (as it does me) go ahead…
Peter
 
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