Are you getting sick of me mentioning the heat in Texas yet? Well, it is hot! We have had temperatures easily reaching and passing 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) this week and the only way for me to cope is to spend more time at the pool (well, that and A/C and cold smoothies and fresh watermelon). Lucky for me I have a pool close-by. I can go swim a few laps during my lunch break or hang out for a few hours on the weekend. And thanks to all my pool time, I have noticed a new trend: religious tattoos in general and Christian cross tattoos in particular.
Tattoos are much, much more prevalent in Texas (maybe in the US?) than in Germany. While I was used to seeing the occasional artsy tattoos on a lady’s lower back, a small tattoo on a shoulder or ankle (predominantly women), and a tattooed band around the arm (men usually) in Germany, I was surprised that here in Texas tattoos are much more common. Lots of people have tattoos and it’s all about showing your individuality. This summer at the pool I have noticed that more and more people shy away from Chinese symbols, animals, and the like in favor of a religious tattoo. I’ve seen hands folded in prayer, Jesus, the actual words of a prayer, and many, many crosses. I guess it’s just one more way to affirm your faith, but I’ve never seen this many religious tattoos anywhere else. Everybody seems to have them these days. Little cross on the ankle or wrist of a cute, blond freshman. Back-covering face of Jesus on a burly guy. Huge cross covering the calf of a guy.
I have kind of gotten used to the fact that religion in Texas is much more public than in Germany. People here talk about which church they go to, last Sunday’s sermon, and that they can’t meet on a Wednesday night because of their church group. Here in Texas, I know which of my friends are religious and how serious they take it. In Germany, I know my direct family member’s religiousness (or lack thereof), but that’s about it. Your faith just isn’t something you usually talk about. People do as they please and nobody asks. So, in that light I guess it makes sense that people here more prominently display their faith on their bodies. It still kind of throws me off when I constantly see it at the pool though… I guess I really haven’t gotten used to religion being that public.
Have you seen many religious tattoos and Christian Cross tattoos where you live?
I haven’t found the courage to walk up to people at the pool to ask permission to take pictures of their religious tattoos, but here are a few I found on Wikimedia Commons and Flickr. They kind of look like the ones I see here as well.
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I had a cross tattoo on my arm, but had another tattoo done over it to cover it up. The new one is a massive Our Lady of Guadeloupe — solely because I like religious iconography, not because I am particularly religious…:)
That’s interesting! I always thought “religious tattoo = being religious”. It had never occurred to me that one could just like the religious iconography. You live and learn
I love religious iconography as well. It can be very powerful. But the people in Texas do mostly for religious reasons. It is interesting.
I think you are right. This is bible belt after all. They probably don’t do it just for the iconography here. Other places probably more so.
I suppose capturing tattoos might be slightly more challenging than mullets
. Meanwhile, I’m anxiously awaiting a future mullet post!!!
I thought of you when writing this and how you need to send your friend to visit me
Seems like a contradiction to me:
Leviticus 19:28: “You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord.”
Proverbs 8:36: “But he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death.”
Philippians 3:2 “Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.”
I read about these quotes when I googled religious tattoos. Apparently it’s a big controversy and most say it depends on why you get a tattoo (to attract attention to yourself or to re-affirm your faith). I also read that the first quote is about pagan rituals as opposed to tattoos in general… Who knows?!
I am with you, I can get used to religion being so public and even a conversation topic. To me, it’s private. Each to their own, as they say, right?
I agree! It was really shocking at first here when people even at work starting bringing up who they saw at church, who goes to which church, etc.
Interesting trend, I always think it’s the “rebels” that get tattoos, not religious people. When I lived in the U.S. (Maryland) I was also really surprised at how much more religion was than in Canada as well. And come to think of it, t, you’re right I haven’t seen that many tattoos in Germany.
In Germany I think the majority of people would still see tattoos as somewhat rebellious. Maybe Canada and Germany are quite alike?!
Oh, Texas. I’ve actually seen quite a few of these in California as well… and of course don’t forget the ones that show up on the usually hysterical “Ugliest Tattoos” blog.
No kidding! I’m actually pretty sure that some of the ones I have seen here would fit right in on that blog
They seem to be big west and south, though I wonder about the actual religious/Christian affinities of those who sport them. Of course, it could be that I’m just too old to “get it.”
Cheers.
Old or not… I don’t get it either
But as one of the commenters above pointed out, these tattoos might just indicate that the “owner” likes the iconography and not did not choose it to portray his/her faith. Even though, here in West Texas, it probably is the latter.
Hi Sabrina,
I am actually in the US for the 4th of July and I have to say I am having a little case of reverse culture shock. And one of the main things that is really sticking out to me is how many people have tattoos. It seems like tattoos have become much more prominent in the last several years since I have lived in Germany. There was the guy at Dairy Queen who had one on his neck to every single employee at the apple store having one. I also notice that is is no longer small tattoo or the typical tramp stamp. It is a full sleeve, neck and even face tattoos.
I’m with you. The new tattoos are so large here! Hope you’re enjoying your visit in the US and have great plans for the 4th for July!