The forehead cross has become a relatively common modern tattoo, both in the industrialized west and among some developing countries. However, those who wear it will probably not know that the first record of this design dates back to the sixth century AD. Let us travel through time and space to the borders between two of the three Euroasian superpowers: Rome and Persia the third being, of course, China and await the arrival of the tattooed warriors from the north….
In the late s the Persians and Romans did something very unusual. Rather than fight one another they united in a campaign against a Persian usurper Bahram. In gratitude for Roman help the Persian monarch, Chosroes II sent a number of Turkish prisoners from among the captured enemies. They were Steppe flotsam: nomadic warriors who had been hired as mercenaries to wreak carnage on which ever enemy was paying less.
We do have some passing evidence that eastern Mediterranean Christians tattooed themselves with Christian symbols in late antiquity. It is likely that Maurice was surprised not by the tattoos per se , then, but by the fact that a cross appeared prominently on the body of a people that were not at this date particularly associated with Christianity.
So the emperor enquired what was the meaning of this mark on the barbarians. And they declared that they had been assigned this by their mothers: for when a fierce plague spread among the eastern Scythians, it was fated that some Christians advised that the foreheads of the young be tattooed with this sign. Learn more. Every tattoo is a statement even if it says 'drunken mistake' ; from crosses to butterflies, birds and even punctuation marks.
Aitken-Smith 's new book, The Tattoo Dictionary , documents the rich history behind individual designs - from seafarers to mobsters. In his book he details a selection of the most popular designs and the history and iconography behind them. Whether you have any of these tattoos, or are thinking of getting one, we've handpicked some of the most notable ones to reveal more about their symbolism.
When scanned, they can reveal messages or health details about the wearer. In Russian prison terms, having stars on your chest or shoulders means you're a high-ranking criminal, explains Aitken-Smith's book. The rose is also closely linked to the Virgin Mary. It can be a symbol of freedom through death and self-sacrifice.
It can be seen as a tool of oppression that was used to control the revolutionary word of God through Jesus Christ. More importantly, in this context, it is also a symbol of resurrection and transformation.
Christ died for our sins and was killed by his oppressors, but he was resurrected and the Romans failed in their quest to silence his words. Ultimately, the Roman Empire crumbled and the word of God prevailed. In this sense, the cross is a symbol of not just death and self-sacrifice, but also a prevailing symbol of eternal hope in the face of hardship and oppression.
It is also a symbol of personal transformation too. Just as Christ was resurrected, the cross can bear witness to a personal transformative journey in individuals. The cross holds great importance for those who are dedicated to a cause. In this context, a cross tattoo has profound meaning because it symbolizes self-sacrifice. The outer world may be filled with oppressors, like the Romans, but the cross allows one to draw courage and strength in the face of this hardship. Likewise, the inner world may be full of mental, emotional, and spiritual anguish and pain, but the cross conveys a message of hope that things can change for the better and personal transformation can happen.
The cross is one of the most powerful symbols that we have. Like the circle, the cross is one of the most basic marks that humans make.
These marks, whether they are on ancient cave walls, or on our bodies as tattoos, have powerful and profound meanings that resonate across time and space. There are plenty of reasons why you might want to get a cross tattoo. You may be a Christian and want to express your devotion to the faith. Or, maybe, you are more interested in the cross as a symbol of sacrifice and self-transformation.
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