Tattoo For A Loved One Who Passed?

Tattoo For A Loved One Who Passed
What Do RIP Tattoos Mean? – The Rest in Peace or RIP tattoos are memorial tattoos. They pay tribute to someone who’s passed away. This could be a loved one, a family member, a fallen brother in arms, a pet, or even your idol. The RIP moniker is almost always accompanied by a name and maybe even a date. RIP tattoos can represent grief. For some, they also represent the acceptance of death as a part of life. In some cases, RIP tattoos for men can symbolize the burden or the guilt the bearer wears every day. One thing is for certain, no matter how cool RIP tattoos may look, the death of an individual is never a happy topic, so be wary discussing these tattoos with the wearer.

What is a good tattoo for someone who passed away?

What tattoo represents in memorial?

Memorial tattoos, also known as remembrance tattoos, can be a special and healing way to acknowledge a very close person after they die. A symbolic tattoo in memory of a loved one could be a meaningful choice. They serve as a permanent reminder of how significant the relationship was, and how much they were loved.

  1. Some people find the physical pain experienced in the process of having a memorial tattoo symbolises the emotional grief they are experiencing;
  2. With this in mind, people claim that having a tattoo in memory of a person they are grieving, is a cathartic experience;

The concept of memorial tattoos is centuries old, like the tradition of tattooing itself. \ Tattoo For A Loved One Who Passed Some people choose to have their memorial tattoo placed in a visible spot to serve as a constant reminder of their loved one, to both themselves others. This decision can lead to questions about the memorial tattoo, allowing the sharing of stories. Others might decide to have a tattoo in memory of a loved person on a part of the body more hidden from view, specifically to keep the relationship and intimacy they shared with that person more private.

What is a tribute tattoo?

Name: Tribute tattoos. Age: For all time, allegedly. Appearance: Like graffiti on a flesh-coloured background. What’s the difference between a tribute tattoo and a regular tattoo? A tribute tattoo is in honour of a specific person, or sometimes a dog. A regular tattoo is just, like, an anchor or something.

  1. You mean in honour of someone dead? No, it might just be your significant other;
  2. Why would you need a tribute to them, if they’re right there? It’s supposed to be romantic;
  3. I don’t get it;
  4. Can you give me an example, preferably involving a celebrity? Certainly;

The actor Chris Zylka had Paris Hilton’s first name inked on his forearm , in the Disney font, six months before they got engaged. Seems weird, but I guess it’s OK if you’re getting married. Oh, they never got married – the couple split in late 2018. Sad. Do you have any more recent examples, possibly involving a celebrity I have heard of? Of course.

  • Brooklyn Beckham has just got a new tattoo on the back of his neck in honour of his fiancee, the actor Nicola Peltz;
  • What’s it like? It’s something she wrote to him – “My forever boy;
  • Read this any time you feel anxious;

I want you to know how deeply loved you are …” – underneath a rendering of her eyes, which he already had. I suppose that’s quite sweet. It continued: “You have the kindest heart I’ve ever met and hope I never go a day without your love. ” He must have a very long neck.

  1. Sorry, there’s more: “I think you are so incredible;
  2. Just know we can get through it all together if you breathe slow and trust;
  3. I love you beyond;
  4. Love always, your future wifey;
  5. ” I’ll bet she wishes she had proofread it now;

This is Beckham’s fifth tribute tattoo in honour of Peltz, so I’m sure she checks her spelling these days. It shows a lot of commitment, and a very high pain threshold. Sadly the celebrity world is littered with tattoos that outlasted relationships : Johnny Depp’s “Winona Forever”; comedian Pete Davidson’s inked tributes to Ariana Grande; Rob Kardashian’s former girlfriend’s name on his chest.

So tribute tattoos are tattoos for people who don’t understand that tattoos don’t come off? There seems to be a basic misunderstanding somewhere. A whole-back portrait of a departed dog seems quite sensible by comparison.

True – a dead pet can’t break up with you. Do say: “Hey, I just met you / And this is crazy / But here’s my bum where / I wrote this essay. ” Don’t say: “Leave the name blank, mate – I’ve got a Sharpie for that.

Where do you put a memorial tattoo?

Placement Ideas – Tattoo For A Loved One Who Passed Remembrance tattoos that are there for you go where you can see them – on the front of your torso, your arms, legs, feet, hands, over your heart.

  • An elaborate memorial may require the major real estate of a full back, lower back, whole chest, full leg or sleeve.
  • Black and gray portraits are commonly placed on the upper arm but may be part of a back, shoulder or chest tat.
  • Tiny tats that just trigger your memory belong on your finger, hand, wrist, inner arm, neck, behind the ear or at the ankle.

What does a butterfly tattoo mean?

Conclusion – The butterfly is one amazing creature and we have been inspired by it for centuries. It symbolizes many things including freedom, soul, love, grace, transformation, and rebirth. Tattoo For A Loved One Who Passed For these reasons, it has also become one of the most popular tattoos for women around the world, though it is sometimes used by men as part of larger tattoo designs and to convey meaning. Tattoo For A Loved One Who Passed Whether you feel some profound connection to the butterfly as a transformative motif , have a spiritual connection to it, or simply love the grace, dignity, and beauty of the creature, there is no doubt that a butterfly tattoo can be an eye-catching motif. Tattoo For A Loved One Who Passed

  • Dragonfly Tattoo Inspiration
  • What Do Phoenix Tattoos Symbolize?
  • Small Insect Tattoos And Their Meanings

What does a feather tattoo mean?

The feather represents freedom, trust, honor, and strength, among other things. The powerful meaning associated with this symbol makes it a great tattoo, regardless of the size.

Is it a good idea to get a memorial tattoo?

It’s been one year since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Explore HuffPost’s Bent Not Broken project to learn how the coronavirus has disrupted our mental health, and how to manage our well-being moving forward. After Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna died in a helicopter accident in January 2020, the basketball legend’s sister Sharia Washington paid tribute to her late brother and niece with a new tattoo.

  1. The ink featured their jersey numbers circled by a snake in the shape of an infinity symbol ― a reference to Bryant’s nickname, the Black Mamba;
  2. His widow, Vanessa , later had loving messages from her husband and daughter tattooed on her wrist and neck;

Memorial tattoos have also helped others to honor lost family members and process traumatic experiences. A month after her heartbreaking pregnancy loss, Chrissy Teigen revealed a new tattoo with her son’s name Jack. Billie Lourd opted for space-themed ink to match her late mother, Carrie Fisher.

Robin Williams ‘ daughter Zelda has a hummingbird for her late father. While getting a tattoo may feel extreme to some, memorial ink can play a powerful role in the grieving process for many bereaved people.

“Memorial tattoos help keep someone we lost close to us. Literally, they become part of us,” said Dan Reidenberg, a mental health expert and executive director of Suicide Awareness Voices of Education. Reidenberg noted that tattoos in visible places on the body can prompt others to ask about their meaning, which gives mourners the chance to talk about their lost loved ones and share their legacy.

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“Like other types of memorials, memorial tattoos honor, recognize and pay tribute to someone very special to us in a way that is always accessible,” he added, noting that a tattoo is always there when the bereaved person is feeling sad, lonely or lost.

“People can look at, touch and relive a deep connection with someone who has passed through a memorial tattoo. ” Getting a special tattoo can be therapeutic: In addition to helping people remember and maintain a bond with someone who has passed away, well-done ink can offer a sense of pride and power.

“When we lose someone, we feel a loss and a loss of control,” Reidenberg noted. “Getting a tattoo is something we can do rather than just live in our grief that feels out of control. ” It’s also a way to ensure a loved one won’t be forgotten, said Arianna Galligher, a licensed social worker and associate director of the STAR Trauma Recovery Center at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.

“For many, memorial tattoos are a visual way of crystallizing the essence of what a person meant to them,” she explained. ” Having a visual reminder that a person carries with them all the time can bring comfort. It’s a way of keeping the person close even though they’re gone.

  1. ” “For some, the physical sensation that comes with having a tattoo placed also acts as a conduit for accessing and processing complex emotions inherent in the grieving process,” she added;
  2. There are many reasons behind the choices of size, shape, color and placement of a memorial tattoo;

Some people may select initials, nicknames or numbers to reflect a specific date, while others opt for images or quotes. “Just like the experience of grief is different for everyone, the expression of grief varies too,” Galligher said. “Some people prefer the intimacy of a private or subtle image that is just for them and is unlikely to draw outside attention or questions.

Others may choose larger or more obvious tributes, in part, because they want to elicit conversation and generate a reason to share with others about the person they lost and what that relationship meant to them.

” Whatever a person selects, it tends to reflect something special about the connection they had with the deceased that they want to live on forever. Galligher has personal experience with this process. “When my mother passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in 2019, one of the first decisions that my stepfather made was to get a tattoo in her memory,” Galligher said.

After discussions with other family members about what to get and where to put it, he went for his first ink at the age of 61. Now his forearms are covered with tattooed images of photos taken by his late wife during their travels together, along with words of advice she tried to live by, like “All will be well” and “Be kind.

” There’s also a nod to her nickname, “Smiley. ” “The process was meaningful and helpful for him as he worked ― and continues to work ― to conceptualize a life without his partner and best friend by his side,” Galligher noted. “He’s said, ‘I couldn’t imagine not carrying your mom around with me to show people how we would like them all to live.

What does a rose tattoo mean?

Rose Tattoos – The complex nature of the rose makes it one of the most beautiful flower tattoo s to design and draw for tattoo artists. A rose tattoo meaning love won or lost has been popular throughout the ages as a symbol of the highest level of passion.

  • Beauty is in balance with emotion with this flower, and no other can replicate its beauty and historical significance;
  • Rose  tattoo design has evolved over the ages, and traditionally offered a look at the unique passions of the person who wears it;

A rose shoulder tattoo can be a large and “in charge” way of showing off your art and passion, without having it be literally on your sleeve. Wherever you decide to put it, roses were meant to be seen and spoken of as any flower, marveling at their beauty and telling the story of how they came to be in full blossom. Tattoo For A Loved One Who Passed Small rose hand tattoos are a popular design for modern customers, as they are a tiny representation of something that can be largely powerful. Oftentimes, the color of the rose is considered to be just as important to its meaning. Throughout the ages, various colors have come to be seen as demonstrating the most impactful aspects of the rose, and careful cultivation has lent itself to many different variations. Tattoo For A Loved One Who Passed

  • pink roses symbolize innocence, a new love, or remembrance of a loved one.
  • a black rose tattoo can mean the loss of a loved one, in a way that represents the compassion of the flower along with the dark bleakness or reminder of death, though not always so somber as much as a memorial.
  • white roses are more mysterious, with sacred connotations and a spiritual meaning.
  • yellow roses are for joyous celebration, are more lackadaisical, and comforting, representing a solid relationship with oneself or another person.

Since a roses’ color indicates its meaning, you can research into the many different ways that it has been symbolized over the years. Black and red roses tend to be the most popular and powerful of all the emotive flowers, and they constitute a large majority of what artists tend to design for their customers. Tattoo For A Loved One Who Passed Something else to keep in mind when designing a rose tattoo are the number of flowers that end up in your final design. Whether you are representing yourself and your spouse or loved one, two roses are traditionally the most loving number, as they go hand in hand or next to one another. Two flowers together symbolizes the beauty of togetherness and the closeness of the heart, especially if the roses are red.

What does a dove tattoo mean?

What is the Significance of the Dove? – Mythological Significance In Greek and Roman mythology, the Greek goddess, Aphrodite, was said to be carried in a chariot driven by doves. Also, all seven of her daughters are referred to as a flock of doves. The Aztec’s believed that the goddess of love, Xochiquetzal, was a representation of the dove.

The dove also has importance in Native American culture as some tribes believed that doves are transformed spirits of the dead. And today, many American Indians use the dove tattoo to show this association.

Early Christianity Traditionally, in Christianity, the dove holding the olive branch represents peace and harmony. The dove is also associated with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. In fact, many pieces of Christian art depict Jesus surrounded by flocks of doves.

  • Messengers of God Look around the internet and you will be sure to find many stories about doves carrying messages from God;
  • The dove is commonly seen as a symbol of victory, God’s will, love and peace;
  • Beginnings Doves, as in the ones from the story of Noah and the Arc, represent fresh starts and new beginnings;

Therefore, dove tattoos often symbolize starting over. Victories Tattoos depicting a dove holding an olive branch in its talons represents both victory and success. Many people will often get this tattoo to symbolize successes in both relationships and life.

What do I need for a memorial tattoo?

The Meaning Behind a Memorial Tattoo – The memorial tattoo that you choose can be as personal as the parent or parents you want to remember. You may want to select a tattoo of something that represents your parent… perhaps their favorite flower or animal.

Birds, butterflies, and other animals or insects of flight are popular. You also may want to get a tattoo of something they always said to you, or simply their names and dates of birth and death. Should you ask your parents before you get a memorial tattoo? That depends on the person.

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Do you think your mother or father would be offended? Or perhaps they would be honored. You may want to wait until after they are deceased to get your memorial tattoo, or you may want to get a tattoo while they are still alive. The choice is yours.

What does a hummingbird tattoo mean?

Hummingbird Tattoo Meaning It has importance to Native American peoples and was a symbol of rebirth to the ancient Aztec civilization. To others, these tiny creatures can represent hard work, dedication, resilience, and determination. They are also a symbol of hope, good luck, and optimism.

What does the Bible say about tattoos?

Tattoos have been around for millennia. People got them at least five thousand years ago. Today they’re common everywhere from Maori communities in New Zealand to office parks in Ohio. But in the ancient Middle East, the writers of the Hebrew Bible forbade tattooing.

Per Leviticus 19:28, “You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves. ” Historically, scholars have often understood this as a warning against pagan practices of mourning.

But language scholar John Huehnergard and ancient-Israel expert Harold Liebowitz  argue that tattooing was understood differently in ancient times. Huehnergard and Liebowitz note that the appearance of the ban on incisions—or tattoos—comes right after words clearly related to mourning, perhaps confirming the original theory.

And yet, looking at what’s known about death rituals in ancient Mesopotamia, Syria, Israel, and Egypt, they find no references to marking the skin as a sign of mourning. They also note that there are other examples in Leviticus and Exodus where two halves of a verse address different issues.

So that could be the case here, too. What tattoos were apparently often used for in ancient Mesopotamia was marking enslaved people (and, in Egypt, as decorations for women of all social classes). Egyptian captives were branded with the name of a god, marking them as belongings of the priests or pharaoh.

But devotees might also be branded with the name of the god they worshiped. Huehnergard and Liebowitz suggest that, given the key role of the escape from Egyptian bondage in ancient Jewish law, the Torah originally banned tattooing because it was “the symbol of servitude.

” Interestingly, though, they write that there’s one other apparent reference to tattooing in the Hebrew Bible. Isaiah 44:5 describes the children of Jacob committing themselves to God: “One shall say, ‘I am the LORD’s’… Another shall mark his arm ‘of the LORD.

‘” Here a tattoo appears to be allowable as a sign of submission, not to a human master but to God. Ancient rabbinic debates produced a variety of different theories about the meaning of the prohibition on tattooing.

Some authorities believed that tattoos were only disallowed if they had certain messages, such as the name of God, the phrase “I am the Lord,” or the name of a pagan deity. Talmudic law developed around 200 CE says that a tattoo is only disallowed if it is done “for the purpose of idolatry”—but not if it’s intended to mark a person’s enslaved status.

Can you tattoo a dead person?

After a loved one is cremated, families often wonder what can be done with their loved one’s cremation ashes. There are the usual ideas like scattering them or placing them in an urn — but maybe you’d prefer something more unusual, yet still meaningful? If so, you’re in luck. Neptune Society has gathered information about some of the less well-known cremation memorialization ideas and will be featuring these ideas on our website over the coming months.

If you wish there was a way that you could carry something of that special person around with you forever, then this month’s cremation ash idea might appeal to you — cremation ash tattoo ink. Yes, that is right.

You can have tattoo ink made with the cremation ashes of your loved one. These are referred to in the tattoo industry as ritual or commemorative tattoos. How It Works Essentially, a ritual tattoo is one where a small amount of cremation ashes are added to regular tattoo ink, to create an ash-infused ink solution.

  1. This is then injected into the customer’s skin, just as a regular tattoo would be;
  2. There are some challenges involved with the procedure, the most important of which is getting the cremation ashes to a fine enough consistency where they will blend into the tattoo ink smoothly;

Working with the ash/ink solution can be somewhat challenging, which is one reason why it is best to find a tattoo artist that is experienced and familiar with doing these types of ritual or commemorative tattoos. Is It Safe? Since cremation ashes are heated to over 1800 degrees Fahrenheit during the cremation process, the risk of disease or infection is probably not much higher than it would be from using any other material, although the exact risks have not been studied.

  1. The most important consideration with regard to safety is how the ashes are handled prior to mixing with the ink;
  2. Many state regulations require — and most reputable tattoo artists freely follow this procedure even when not required to do so — that all tools, equipment and materials used to make tattoos be autoclaved before use to minimize risk of infection;

If you’re considering having a cremation ash tattoo done, we recommend that you discuss with your tattoo artist what specific steps he or she will take to minimize your infection risk. Precautions and Considerations Commemorative tattoos are a relatively infrequent procedure; tattoo artists that do ritual or commemorative tattoos may only do a few of them each year.

As such, most state and federal health agencies have not reacted with regulations specific to performing them. However, some agencies such as Health Canada have warned against them due to unknown health risks.

The tattoos are also somewhat controversial within the tattoo industry itself — some artists are willing to do them, others are not. For the most part however, tattoo artists themselves decide whether they are or are not willing to do them and they fall under the same sanitation regulations as any other tattooing procedure.

  1. One other consideration is that some of those who have had tattoos done with cremation ashes report that the tattoos can be itchier than tattoos done with regular ink, so if you have sensitive skin or other concerns, this is something to keep in mind;

Neptune Society supports the rights of family members and friends to memorialize their loved ones in the way that feels right to them. If you feel that a cremation ash tattoo would be right for you, we recommend interviewing several tattoo artists in your area to find the most experienced artist, and asking your health professional about any health and safety related questions prior to embarking on the procedure.

What does a dandelion tattoo mean?

Dead Dandelion Tattoo Design: – a bare dandelion stalk is known as a ‘puff,’ and it symbolizes a letting go of the past. These tattoo designs can also represent resilience and rebirth. Whether they’re a golden yellow or a fluffy white, dandelions are undoubtedly a flower rich in symbolism.

What do butterflies symbolize in death?

Sampling of Christian Symbolism –

  • “For Christians, the butterfly’s three steps of metamorphosis — as caterpillar, pupa and then winged insect — are reminiscent of spiritual transformation”[khandro].
  • The lowly caterpillar represents our earthly selves, our preoccupation with the physical plane of existence.
  • The chrysalis represents the tomb, the place where the miraculous resurrection takes place, from which the sour rises.
  • The beautiful, free-flying butterfly symbolizes Christ’s spirit reborn.
  • The butterfly exists in four distinct forms. Khandro explains these four distinct forms.
    • The fertilized egg is planted in our mother’s womb.
    • From our day of birth, we are like the caterpillar which can only eat and creep along.
    • At death, we are like the dormant pupa in its chrysalis.
    • After that, our consciousness emerges from the cast off body, and some see in this the emergence of the butterfly. Therefore, the butterfly is symbolic of rebirth after death.
  • In images of the Garden of Eden, Adam’s soul is symbolized by a butterfly, or drawn with butterfly wings. In paintings of Mary and her Child, the presence of butterflies stands for their care for human souls. The Gnostics depicted the Angel of Death by showing a winged foot stepping on a butterfly [khandro].
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Is it a good idea to get a memorial tattoo?

It’s been one year since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Explore HuffPost’s Bent Not Broken project to learn how the coronavirus has disrupted our mental health, and how to manage our well-being moving forward. After Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna died in a helicopter accident in January 2020, the basketball legend’s sister Sharia Washington paid tribute to her late brother and niece with a new tattoo.

  1. The ink featured their jersey numbers circled by a snake in the shape of an infinity symbol ― a reference to Bryant’s nickname, the Black Mamba;
  2. His widow, Vanessa , later had loving messages from her husband and daughter tattooed on her wrist and neck;

Memorial tattoos have also helped others to honor lost family members and process traumatic experiences. A month after her heartbreaking pregnancy loss, Chrissy Teigen revealed a new tattoo with her son’s name Jack. Billie Lourd opted for space-themed ink to match her late mother, Carrie Fisher.

Robin Williams ‘ daughter Zelda has a hummingbird for her late father. While getting a tattoo may feel extreme to some, memorial ink can play a powerful role in the grieving process for many bereaved people.

“Memorial tattoos help keep someone we lost close to us. Literally, they become part of us,” said Dan Reidenberg, a mental health expert and executive director of Suicide Awareness Voices of Education. Reidenberg noted that tattoos in visible places on the body can prompt others to ask about their meaning, which gives mourners the chance to talk about their lost loved ones and share their legacy.

“Like other types of memorials, memorial tattoos honor, recognize and pay tribute to someone very special to us in a way that is always accessible,” he added, noting that a tattoo is always there when the bereaved person is feeling sad, lonely or lost.

“People can look at, touch and relive a deep connection with someone who has passed through a memorial tattoo. ” Getting a special tattoo can be therapeutic: In addition to helping people remember and maintain a bond with someone who has passed away, well-done ink can offer a sense of pride and power.

“When we lose someone, we feel a loss and a loss of control,” Reidenberg noted. “Getting a tattoo is something we can do rather than just live in our grief that feels out of control. ” It’s also a way to ensure a loved one won’t be forgotten, said Arianna Galligher, a licensed social worker and associate director of the STAR Trauma Recovery Center at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.

“For many, memorial tattoos are a visual way of crystallizing the essence of what a person meant to them,” she explained. ” Having a visual reminder that a person carries with them all the time can bring comfort. It’s a way of keeping the person close even though they’re gone.

  1. ” “For some, the physical sensation that comes with having a tattoo placed also acts as a conduit for accessing and processing complex emotions inherent in the grieving process,” she added;
  2. There are many reasons behind the choices of size, shape, color and placement of a memorial tattoo;

Some people may select initials, nicknames or numbers to reflect a specific date, while others opt for images or quotes. “Just like the experience of grief is different for everyone, the expression of grief varies too,” Galligher said. “Some people prefer the intimacy of a private or subtle image that is just for them and is unlikely to draw outside attention or questions.

  • Others may choose larger or more obvious tributes, in part, because they want to elicit conversation and generate a reason to share with others about the person they lost and what that relationship meant to them;

” Whatever a person selects, it tends to reflect something special about the connection they had with the deceased that they want to live on forever. Galligher has personal experience with this process. “When my mother passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in 2019, one of the first decisions that my stepfather made was to get a tattoo in her memory,” Galligher said.

After discussions with other family members about what to get and where to put it, he went for his first ink at the age of 61. Now his forearms are covered with tattooed images of photos taken by his late wife during their travels together, along with words of advice she tried to live by, like “All will be well” and “Be kind.

” There’s also a nod to her nickname, “Smiley. ” “The process was meaningful and helpful for him as he worked ― and continues to work ― to conceptualize a life without his partner and best friend by his side,” Galligher noted. “He’s said, ‘I couldn’t imagine not carrying your mom around with me to show people how we would like them all to live.

What does the Bible say about tattoos?

Tattoos have been around for millennia. People got them at least five thousand years ago. Today they’re common everywhere from Maori communities in New Zealand to office parks in Ohio. But in the ancient Middle East, the writers of the Hebrew Bible forbade tattooing.

Per Leviticus 19:28, “You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves. ” Historically, scholars have often understood this as a warning against pagan practices of mourning.

But language scholar John Huehnergard and ancient-Israel expert Harold Liebowitz  argue that tattooing was understood differently in ancient times. Huehnergard and Liebowitz note that the appearance of the ban on incisions—or tattoos—comes right after words clearly related to mourning, perhaps confirming the original theory.

And yet, looking at what’s known about death rituals in ancient Mesopotamia, Syria, Israel, and Egypt, they find no references to marking the skin as a sign of mourning. They also note that there are other examples in Leviticus and Exodus where two halves of a verse address different issues.

So that could be the case here, too. What tattoos were apparently often used for in ancient Mesopotamia was marking enslaved people (and, in Egypt, as decorations for women of all social classes). Egyptian captives were branded with the name of a god, marking them as belongings of the priests or pharaoh.

  1. But devotees might also be branded with the name of the god they worshiped;
  2. Huehnergard and Liebowitz suggest that, given the key role of the escape from Egyptian bondage in ancient Jewish law, the Torah originally banned tattooing because it was “the symbol of servitude;

” Interestingly, though, they write that there’s one other apparent reference to tattooing in the Hebrew Bible. Isaiah 44:5 describes the children of Jacob committing themselves to God: “One shall say, ‘I am the LORD’s’… Another shall mark his arm ‘of the LORD.

‘” Here a tattoo appears to be allowable as a sign of submission, not to a human master but to God. Ancient rabbinic debates produced a variety of different theories about the meaning of the prohibition on tattooing.

Some authorities believed that tattoos were only disallowed if they had certain messages, such as the name of God, the phrase “I am the Lord,” or the name of a pagan deity. Talmudic law developed around 200 CE says that a tattoo is only disallowed if it is done “for the purpose of idolatry”—but not if it’s intended to mark a person’s enslaved status.