I’m going to get a new tattoo soon, and it will look something like the image on the right. Normally, I would not solicit opinions about something this personal, but I’m curious about others’ opinions on this one.
The tattoo will be on my left bicep, and will be covered by a normal short-sleeved shirt. I have another one that says “USMC” on my right bicep in the same place. The cross itself is a variation of the one worn by the Knights of Saint John, a.k.a. the Hospitallers, a.k.a. the Knights of Malta. A colloquial name for it is the Crusader’s Cross, which is why I like it — in a sense, every Christian is a crusader, right?
While I like the cross itself, I have a few concerns, namely:
— Is the shield outline too much?
— Does the design remind you of a nurse?
— Does the design remind you of the Luftwaffe?
Both nurses and the Germans used a modified Maltese cross, though they are distinctly different than this one, which I found in a book on the military religious orders. (I hasten to add that the cross used by the Germans in WWII, called the Iron Cross, predated Hitler by a century and a half.) What do you all think? I don’t want to spend the rest of my life saying, “No, it’s not a Nazi symbol,” or “I’m not a nurse, darn it! Not that there’s anything wrong with that.”
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As an American of Polish heritage, it reminds me of the Teutonic knights who warred on the Poles for a long time in the Middle Ages. It’s not a happy association. Are there other forms of the cross you might want to consider?
No on the first two questions, but yes on the third. It does look rather Luftwaffe-esque at first glance. Maybe if the vertical bar of the cross was longer?
I guess I’d reconsider the design if it were going to be misinterpreted — which was why I posted it here. However, I am not particularly concerned about the sensibilities of medieval Poles. ;)
Chris, I’d probably go with a different design rather than modify this one. Changing a traditional cross form seems slightly wrong, though I couldn’t tell you why. Your suggestion is a good one, though, and I’ll think about it some more.
No, on all three. Your challenge is to find a use of the cross that is free from ANY negative connotation. With the cross having been so widely used and with so many subtle variations over the centuries, that’s a tough one. RC’s post is a classic example.
I suggest that you do what you like. The thoughtful will accept an explanation; the others don’t count.
“Not that there’s anything wrong with that”? ERic, I would never have thought that you would go relativist on us!;-)
Wow – You should have no mark on you other than the sign of Love and the seal of the Holy Spirit — no tattoos which speak of earthly allegiances other than to God.
What’s more, why would you put a CRUSADER’S cross on? The crusades were one of the dark times in Christianity — why promote that or even make a connection to it in any way?
When you make these signs upon yourself, you are doing so to bring attention to yourself. You must decrease and let Christ increase in your life.
A Catholic
Teresa says she likes the idea of the cross and shield.
But now that she looks at it, it does look a little like a nurse… maybe try something else.
Yes, I might have to shop around a little more, John.
“A Catholic,” I’m not sure why it’s such a bad thing to have a Marine Corps tattoo on my body (which, incidently, I got years before my conversion to Catholicism.) My body is an earthly thing, and being a Marine is an earthly allegiance of the highest order. True, the book of Leviticus does seem to ban tattoos, but I’d guess that’s because pagan religions used tattoos to “mark” their adherents. The chapter in which it appears is a mixture of moral absolutes (19:29 — “Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore”) and cultural admonitions (27 — “Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard.”) I’m pretty sure the Church doesn’t teach against tattoos, though please let me know if it does.
As for the Crusades being a dark time in the history of Christianity, I’d agree insofar as many crusaders committed atrocities against civilians. But the highest motivations of the crusades, to allow pilgrims to worship at the sites of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Our Lord, and to beat back the Muslim caliphs and sultans who were oppressing Christians throughout the Mediterranean world, were just and noble.
Any design that shocks some significant number of people and needs explanation is just not prudent.
This particular cross-and-shield design is spartan and abstract, and the main message it conveys to an onlooker is not “This man is committed to Christ”, but rather “This man had a weird militaristic marking done on his body.” Something more artistic, e.g., an image of St. Michael, would have less-freaky overtones.
I don’t suggest that tattooing is immoral, any more than is wearing a nose ring or an apple-green Mohawk haircut. However, in our culture these are fringe practices that many people find distasteful. But if you find you have a vocation to evangelize biker gangs, go right ahead.
Eric:
The Church is not keen on tattoos, but they are not wrong nor prohibited in themselves.
I like the idea of the tattoo, but I agree with some of the others that think it’s likely to be confused with a medical or German military symbol.
How about a Jerusalem Cross (which was part of the coat of arms of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem)?
As to the Crusades, I agree with what Eric said, above. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about the crusades would do well to read Thomas Madden’s book, A Concise History of the Crusades. Here’s a link to an article by the author.
Another interesting one is Hilaire Belloc’s The Crusades: The World’s Debate.
Richard, I am weird and militaristic, so that wouldn’t be an inaccurate first impression.
Keep in mind that the tattoo won’t be visible unless I’m at the pool or running — it will be under my shirt sleeves otherwise.
The Maltese cross is used by the Canadian Forces Chaplain branch (http://www.dnd.ca/hr/chapgen/engraph/home_e.asp); the inscription around the inner symbol is “IN HOC SIGNO VINCES.” I have a Canadian chaplain’s belt which is your basic black web-belt with brass buckle, with this emblem on it (without the maple leaf wreath and crown). That belt saved my life a couple of days after I got it. The tank battalion (VT ARNG) for which I was chaplain was doing a NATO exercise at CFB Gagetown in New Brunswick. The old men let the boys go out on the town. One of the company commanders and I went to round up some stragglers at some bars. We were in civilian clothes–I had on this belt. One SPC ran when he saw me; I pursued, and three big guys intercepted me. “We’re his friends. What do you want?” I’m taking him home. It’s past his bed time. “How ’bout just leaving him alone?” Nope. He’s my responsibility, and I have to see that he gets tucked in. “We’re MPs. We’ll take care of it.” Sorry, guys. You can either help me, or get out of the way. Well, they didn’t like that, and started moving closer, then one saw the belt. He froze. “He’s a padre!” (What most Canadian troops call their chaplain, regardless of faith). “What?! Are you a padre?” Yep. “Gee, our padre never comes looking for us when we’re in trouble. We’ll help you! Come on guys!”
If you’re going with the Maltese Cross, I’d suggest something like this. Gives you both the military connection and the Christian — and who knows, it may save you in a tough spot, too!
Great story, Father. I’ll strongly consider it — I do like that variation on the link you provided.
Eric,
Above all, a tattoo is a private, personal item. I don’t think you should worry about the interpretation others draw from it, as it’s completely irrelevant.
I personally like this one. I say go for it.
I’d simply recommend jazzing it up to differentiate it from other organizations who use the Malta Cross – that is, add some heraldry from your own family (or from your own experience, e.g., USMC and/or conversion), and a motto by which you live your life or that describes your personal calling…
+J.M.J+
Some Christians in Upper Egypt and Ethiopia get a cross tatoo on their forearm, near the wrist. This identifies them as a Christian. I’ve seen these tatoos, and the shape of the cross looks a little like the cross on this page:
http://www.symbols.com/encyclopedia/24/2455.html
Though solid in color and thinner in the middle.
In Jesu et Maria,
“Great story, Father.”
Better make a correction. The story dates from my pre-Catholic days as a LUTHERAN pastor and Army chaplain. At present, only my kids call me “Father” (or variants thereof). ;-)
I’m coming upon this a few days late. For what it’s worth I recognized it as a Maltese type cross, not a Nazi one nor a nurse one. But then I’m one of those people whose heads are full of ‘stuff’ that no one else knows, which, altho it makes me a good Trivia partner, I don’t know that you can take that as typical for everyone.
I have a Maltese cross, on my neck, as my father was from Malta, and I am also interested in the knights of Malta and there history, someone once asked me why I had a tattoo of a nazi insignia, as far as I know the iron cross hasn’t got points, but generaly not many people comment on it, by the way if you don’t allready know, the 4 arms that form the cross, stand for fortitude, justice, prudence, and temperance, not bad codes to live by.
Eric,
A Maltese Cross stands for/or represents many different things to many people. It’s most closely associated to the Knights Templar based on the island of Malta(which is noted for sacking and looting wherever it went during the Crusades)
On the other hand…it’s your arm,dude.Who cares what it says to the World at large,it’s what it means to you.
If you feel you have to make excuses for it,back up and think this out.
Besides,if The Holy Spirit has already tattooed your soul you know what that is, right.
Peace be with you.
If you look into the history of the maltese cross you will see that there are many different variations of the cross that might reflect what you are trying to say.
Check this out(go to Symbolism on the left)
http://www.smom-za.org/smom/Maltese%20Cross/index.htm
I’m not paticularly religious but the cross to me represents loyalty, honor, braveness, passion and dedication to what you believe in whether it be a religious belief or just in yourself.
I would never get a tattoo based on what other people think anyway, tattoos to me are reminders of my goals, achievments and morals.
It’s great idea…as long as YOU know what it symbolizes, and it means something to YOU. I disagree that the Crusades were a dark time in Christian history, and I think fundamentally the endeavor was noble. I also am ex-military and have a strong relationship with Catholocism and would like a personal reminder of that.
I’ve read that some early Crusaders had a cross tattoo on their arm, so that if they were killed in battle (and would have their armour stripped), they could be recognized as Christians and be buried accordingly.
I also added a motto to my cross tattoo:
Aequetas et Veritas
(Justice and Truth)
Not a bad way to live your life.
Hello eric, I am not a post member, but I too have been deliberating getting a tattoo(cross)
in memory of my fallen brothers. I have always been concerned that having a tattoo done was the cause of vanity, which has steered me away from them until September 11th. I have felt tempted to get one, and was actually looking at them online, that is how I found your post (or was directed to unknowingly). But in todays world , not having a tattoo is actually more of an original statement.
I never did get one when I was in the Corps.
I guess what I am saying is, if you feel you have to justify getting the tattoo, you should search your soul and ask the Lord and his Holy Spirit for guidance. There is where I think you find the guidance to make your own decision.
“non nomis domine,et tuo de gloriam”
Joe Martin FDNY
you might get alot of people asking u if u are a brother… or come up to you and asked if u have traveled… ill let you figure out why.
The cross of the Luftwaffe is still used by the German military today – so it aint a Nazi symbol…