In terms of religious tattoos, Christianity has a plethora of symbols that are used to represent the faith in a tattoo. Because the religion is so old, the symbols of the religion are old as well and therefore, have a great deal of meaning and history behind them. That is part of what we will be talking about today. One specific symbol is the sacred heart and this symbol is one of the most tattooed images in the Christian faith.

In this post we are going to talk about the history of the sacred heart so we can gather an understanding about why this image is one of the most tattooed Christian symbols in the world. We will also discuss some of the reasons that someone might get this tattoo outside of being a Christian. By the time you finish this post you should have a pretty good idea of what the sacred heart is and what the sacred heart tattoo symbolizes for those that choose to have the image enshrined on their bodies.

About the Sacred Heart

The Sacred Heart is a cherished Christian image that portrays the incredible love that Jesus Christ holds for all of humanity. The red heart is flaming, encased in crown of thorns, pierced with a knife or sword and embedded with a crucifix centered at the top. The crown of thorns and piercing blade are symbols of the wounds that Christ was afflicted with during His suffering on the cross and reminds Christians of His great sacrifice. Placed here, the cross is a small but still prominent detail that highlights the great significance of Jesus’s crucifixion. It is often pictured in front of Christ’s chest, emphasizing the significance of the heart and Christ’s unconditional love for humanity. In some paintings and descriptions, the sacred heart is held in His hand as a representation of His place as a Holy figure with His heart full of love and kindness. The immense suffering of Christ is represented in this image as it conveys the story of the pain and suffering of the crucifixion, a key aspect of Christianity, and more specifically, Catholicism.