The Immortality of the Cross Tattoo

As one of the most widely recognized religious symbols, the cross is not only a representation of the Christian religion; it is also a spiritual symbol for many indigenous cultures. While the modern cross has been adopted by many religions, in truth it likely began as a pagan symbol for father and mother nature, where the crux of the cross is the merging of the material and spiritual worlds.

Crosses within a circle were one of the first representations found in Neolithic Europe on rock or wall carvings. These types of crosses have been found in all parts of the world and are usually taken to represent the rising or setting sun.

Before being adopted by the Christians, the cross was considered sacred by many peoples and symbolized life, immortality, fertility, heaven and earth, the sun and starts. It also represented the four corners of the earth, the elements and the human form.

The Roman or Latin cross is probably the most popular and widely recognized adaptation of the cross, although there are many other types of crosses used by different religions. Curiously enough the Latin cross did not come into use until 300 A.D.

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