Tattoo "Virgin Mary"
The Mother of God is considered one of the main symbols in the Christian religion. Jesus, the son of God, was born as the fruit of the virgin birth. The mother of Jesus symbolizes the purity of faith, which is reflected in the tattoos. More often, there is a tattoo of the icon of the Virgin in the classic version. But non-canonical sketches are also allowed for use.
Meaning
Ancient Christians used to wear drawings of the image of the Mother of God as a symbol of their religion. Religious tattoos were especially widespread during the time of the Crusades. The presence of the image of the Mother of God on the knight's chest was evidence that he visited the Holy Land.
The appearance of this tattoo is also associated with the time of the appearance of the corresponding icon, that is, it is dated approximately to the XIV century. People put on their bodies the image of the Blessed Virgin in an effort to avoid the evil eye and protect themselves from evil spirits.
Of course, the clergy never encouraged to decorate the body with drawings. Even if they were copies of icons. In this regard, church-themed tattoos have lost their popularity for a long time.
The surge of interest in the "Virgin Mary" tattoo happened in the 40s of the twentieth century. Holy face tattoos were applied to the skin by American criminals. In particular, these were representatives of the Latin American people and other gang members.
And among the Russian criminals, a tattoo depicting the Virgin Mary and a baby was more common. Members of criminal coalitions stuffed the Mother of God on the body as a protective amulet.
Sometimes the drawing was supplemented with phrases with a religious meaning. Such tattoos were often done relying on fate, as if recognizing God as the only judge of their own actions.
Usually, the tattoo had nothing to do with the religion or piety of the criminal. Russian culture represented a tattoo with the Mother of God as a symbol of a person's loyalty to his caste, or it meant that its owner embarked on the criminal path very young.
In our time, such a tattoo on the human body is still a manifestation of devotion to Christ. The image of the Mother of God is still applied, counting on the support of the Saint.
Basically, the meaning of a tattoo with the Virgin Mary depends on the individual. Everyone sees their meaning in it, choosing a sketch according to their own taste and discretion. It has absolutely nothing to do with faith.
The meaning of a tattoo in the form of an icon of the Mother of God is interpreted in different ways.
- Since ancient times, such a tattoo has served as a reflection of humility, the Orthodox faith. This is especially true of the image with a baby in her arms.
- The image of the Virgin is perceived as a strong amulet. A tattoo, as it were, clears a person's thoughts of everything empty and vicious.
- Another meaning of a tattoo is holiness. If the Mother of God is depicted with hands raised up, then the plot is interpreted as a prayer for peace.
If such a Mother of God is applied to the body by a woman, she declares by her act of purity. But at the same time, you cannot flaunt the drawing. On the contrary, only the closest person should see the tattoo.
If an ordinary man makes a tattoo, the icon of the Virgin is for him a manifestation of love and affection, respect for his mother. So he wants to show his religiosity and faith in God.
The Virgin Mary with the baby is a symbol of innocence and purity of the soul and fidelity to friendship, love, duty. Here we are talking about truthfulness and chastity. This interpretation is associated with the innocence of the Mother of Jesus Christ.
According to some other sources, a tattoo with the Mother of God is endowed with a different meaning. She can symbolize femininity, tenderness, convey a craving for beauty, talk about pure love.
Some people put a deeper meaning in the tattoo of the Virgin Mary. For example, they express humility before God in this way. Often, the one who transfers the icon of the Mother of God to his body strives for a sinless, honest life.
Tattoo sketches options
Plots can be presented in different forms:
- Mother of God with a cross;
- Face against the background of church domes;
- Madonna and newborn Jesus;
- praying Mother of God;
- a crying image in a moment of sorrow.
In addition, sometimes the Blessed Virgin Mary is depicted in a caricature version. But this is more of a rarity than a trend.
As for the drawing of the plot in the male and female versions, the following can be noted.
In women, the tattoo of an icon is quite rare. But, having decided on such a bold step, color performance is preferable. The image of the Mother of God with a baby in her arms, complemented by flowers at the bottom of the sketch, looks unusually attractive. A graceful floral frame just as well complements such a plot. From such a pattern comes tenderness and true femininity.
It is highly undesirable to decorate the icon with stars or hearts, as well as all such attributes. They will look completely out of place in a drawing with a religious symbol.
If we talk about tattoos for men, this option is very useful for them. He will emphasize decency and masculinity. To give the image a more masculine character, it is recommended to decorate it with inscriptions in Latin. And also additional elements can be ribbons, rose thorns and other brutal details.
The image of the heart on the breast of the Mother of God is made as a manifestation of the infinite love of the Blessed Virgin Mary for all of humanity. This is a kind of evidence of her kind-heartedness and mercy, her desire to protect not only the righteous, but also sinners from troubles.
If the Mother of God in the picture has her hands folded in supplication, this means that a person is looking for protection and support from the patron saint.
The Mother of God also defends those who apply a tattoo of her image together with the baby. In this case, the baby symbolizes not just Jesus himself, but the owner of the tattoo, who is vigilantly guarded by the virgin.
The images of the Virgin have always been given importance as a symbol of purity, light and holiness. According to Christian symbolism of the interpretation of gestures, the hands raised up by the Mother of God mean a prayer for peace.
Execution styles
Traditionally, a tattoo with an icon is done in black and white. But it is not forbidden, and even the addition of such colors as green, red and classic blue looks attractive. You can see the Virgin Mary in a mantle of heavenly color, which identifies the purity of the sky and protects the wearer from the influence of dark forces.
The most popular style of tattooing the Virgin is considered to be Chicano. Its peculiarity lies in the remarkableness and brightness of the executed drawing.
Religious tattoos made in graphic, new school and neotradishnl styles are extremely rare.
Places of application
Before deciding to apply such a tattoo, you need to have an idea of exactly where the drawing will be located.
Officially, the church does not welcome tattoos of any kind, especially with regard to religious images. Such drawings are made not for display in public and not for aesthetic beauty, but as a sign of adherence to the Orthodox religion and as a personal amulet.
It should be noted that there are a number of restrictions for placing a tattoo with religious symbols.
The most common way to apply a tattoo of the Mother of God is on the back. The large space makes it possible to embody a large image in the smallest detail. Sometimes fragments from a prayer or some inscriptions that have their own meaning are added here.
No less popular among connoisseurs of such tattoos is the image of the Virgin Mary applied to the arm. Here the image will turn out to be much smaller than on the back, but no less spectacular and bewitching.
They equally prefer to apply a tattoo of the Mother of God on the forearm and shoulder. Often an image of the Virgin Mary is made on one shoulder, and Jesus is depicted on the other. This version of the sketch is a manifestation of the special religiosity of the believer, although the display of the icon for display by the church is not encouraged.
The pattern can also be found on the neck. But here the images of saints are more rare than commonplace.
The tattoo on the chest itself carries a special symbolism, emphasizing devotion to religious beliefs.
Such tattoos are also often stuffed on the stomach. As this area is quite intimate for images related to religion. However, you should know that it is forbidden to make a tattoo with a similar connotation below the belt. This is considered offensive to the faith. Especially religious drawings are unacceptable to fill in the area of intimate places.
Scar tattooing is a common option. The tattoo here performs not so much a religious function as masterly masks the existing scars.
In the modern world, a tattoo with an icon of the Mother of God can be seen on different parts of the body. Nevertheless, most often they are chosen by believers. It is generally accepted that such a tattoo replaces the wearing of a pectoral cross, a small image.