Super Tattoo Designs
Cross Tattoos

Cross Tattoos - The Symbolic Meaning - Part 2


Non Religious Cross Tattoo Designs

1) The Ankh

The ancient Egyptians believed that the Ankh was the key of life that was used by the Gods of the underworld to awaken those who had crossed the river of death and bring them into the afterlife. The basic shape of the Ankh is like the latin cross that was mentioned earlier, with the top part of the vertical line bent round to form a loop above the horizonal line of the cross.

Ankh tattoos represent infinity and fertility and are an interesting variation of the basic cross design. The symbolism of the Ankh is similar to that of the Christian cross, as in Egyptian mythology the Ankh is closely related to Horus whose death and rebirth is closely related to the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.

2) The Gothic Cross

The design of the Gothic cross was heavily influenced by the German style of ornate wrought iron work that was popular during the Victorian and Edwardian periods.

The Gothic cross is a symbol of the Goth culture and represents the feelings of depression, pain and anger. So when these symbols are incorporated into tattoo designs, they result in dark, mysterious and often disturbing images, such as cross tattoos wrapped in barbed wire. Alternatively, the vertical part of the cross is transformed into a dagger and the tip of the blade is colored in blood.

The Gothic cross tattoo is a good choice if you feel misunderstood or want to rebel from the more popular mainstream styles of tattoo design.

3) The Tau

The ancient Tau symbol has a wide over-arching connection with a number of different cultures and religions including Christianity, Paganism and Judaism. In ancient times the Tau was the symbol of the Pagan God Tamuzz, it was also used to represent the Hammer of Thor, and by all accounts it was the inspiration behind the Latin cross.

The basic design looks like a capital T with the two lines intersecting at the top of the vertical column. Which brings us neatly to the connection between the Tau and the Hebrew alphabet. The Tau is equivalent to the letter T, which is considered to be one of the most powerful letters of the Hebrew alphabets by Kabbalists who believe that each letter has its own unique spirit.

So if you're looking for a cross tattoo that's full of history and a little bit different from the ordinary, the Tau might be perfect for your needs.

Part 1: Cross Tattoos - The Symbolic Meaning

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