55 Lovely Virgin Mary Tattoo Ideas – The Classy and Timeless Design
The Virgin Mary is a popular depiction of Christian figure Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. It is believed that Jesus was born through her from immaculate conception, meaning that she was still a virgin when she became pregnant with him. She has been venerated since early Christianity and she is considered one of the most commendable saints in history, and it is said that upon her death, she ascended directly into heaven.
A tattoo of Virgin Mary is often considered an extremely spiritual and noble dedication to religion and the tradition of this design is rooted deep into history, dating almost as far back as Christianity itself. With that being said, you definitely do not need to be religious in order to get this tattoo.
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History
Tattoos of Virgin Mary are prevalent and popular in Latino and Catholic cultures and are typically donned by Catholic Christians as a symbol of their faith.The earlier tattoo designs were often based off of those found in churches and other historical, Christian relics. Often times, stained glass windows would be decorated with this feminine symbol, and many paintings portrayed depictions of Virgin Mary that would later inspire many when they searched for tattoo ideas.
Surprisingly, the Virgin Mary tattoo was also a popular tattoo choice for sailors and seafarers, as the symbol of a maternal and feminine figure was a reminder to them of their wives, mothers, sisters, and partners who awaited their return. In some ways, Virgin Mary’s image became a representation of protection and virtue on the rough and dangerous waters that they traversed across.
Virgin Mary tattoos are, surprisingly, rather common among prisoners. This is due to the forgiving and loving nature of Virgin Mary herself. As a prison tattoo, this design is often used as a way of seeking forgiveness for sins or crimes committed, and by making a lifelong commitment to change and seeking out a better path in life, Virgin Mary can light the way.
For many, Virgin Mary’s image represents unconditional love, comfort, and consolation for when times are rough.She is so revered that sightings of her image as imprints or patterns on unsuspecting items and places are flocked to and worshiped. Thousands upon thousands of her believers will arrive at the site where she was spotted and pray to her for cures, answers, and miracles. In fact, it’s not uncommon for these occurrences to make the news. As such, it’s quite clear that the image of Virgin Mary is a sacred one to many, and an honor to engrave into the skin as a permanent design.
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Meaning and Design
As Virgin Mary tattoos have their roots in a variety of countries, plenty of different designs have surfaced over the years. Naturally, every tattoo has its own unique meaning to the individual who wears it, but many symbols commonly found on Virgin Mary tattoos are steeped in cultural significance and carry the same base meanings they did from the beginning.
Roses. It is believed that the Virgin Mary once appeared to a man and asked him to build a church for her. In order to prove that she was who she claimed to be, she asked the man to pick roses from a frozen hill – an impossible task. However, the man was astounded to discover that there were roses growing amidst the frost. The roses left an imprint in the man’s poncho that was of Virgin Mary’s likeness. The historical significance of these roses is what leads so many people to include them in their tattoos.
Praying or clasped hands. In this design, Virgin Mary is pictured with her hands clasped together as though she is praying. This version is one of the most common depictions of her and represents faith and hope. In some tattoos, the image of the Virgin Mary herself does not pray, but she is flanked by prayer hands, showing that the wearer prays through her to God.
Baby. It’s not surprising that, since Virgin Mary is such a maternal figure, there are many versions of tattoos where she holds a baby. Typically, this is representative of her son Jesus and can be a symbol to commemorate a maternal figure or to remind the wearer of her holiness. It also works as a representation of one’s commitment to the Christian faith.
Crying. Many depictions of Virgin Mary show her crying, whether it is by covering her face or through the image of tears on her cheeks. This is a classic symbol of redemption and forgiveness, often donned by those who seek an apology from retribution. It is also a powerful image of sorrow to remind one of past events that have made the wearer who they are today.
Angel. It’s not uncommon to see Virgin Mary with wings on her back, as though she is an angel of her own. Due to her powerful status as a saint, this design sort of explains itself. It can also be interpreted as a symbol of protection and comfort, as Virgin Mary shelters those who worship her under her wings and keeps them safe from troubles. It is a nice reminder that one is never truly alone, as she is always watching and looking after them.
Fancy dress. A picture of Virgin Mary dressed in a beautiful long gown or a veil – or both! – is the ultimate symbol of femininity and love.This tattoo carries meaning of a feminine nature and character and can be used as a reminder of female family members or partners who one must be away from for the time being.
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Placement
Virgin Mary tattoos can be placed anywhere throughout the body, and there are no fixed meanings to any of the placements. Due to the size of most of these tattoos, they need to be placed in an area of the body that has a lot of space and a wide expanse of skin to cover.
The most common location for a tattoo of this nature is along the sleeve. Perhaps there is some metaphorical beauty in that, as in the same way one wears their heart on their sleeve, one displays their faith on their arm.
These tattoos can also decorate the chest, to bring the image of this holy figure closer to one’s heart, to show that their religion and beliefs are in line with their lifestyle and are a part of their world. The back can also be covered with this tattoo, to show that faith is their backbone and strength, shaping and influencing every aspect of their lives.
At the end of the day, all tattoos have their own unique and individual meaning. Whether or not your meaning is among those listed here is beside the point. Tattoos are a beautiful expression of heart and creativity, so you get to decide exactly what your tattoo means and what it represents.
