black and gray or colored saint tattoos have a simple yet striking beauty…here is a collection of them to prove it…
A predominantly Christian concept, a saint is a person who is recognized as having an exceptional amount of holiness or a significant likeness to god and is revered and honored as such after death. While other religions hold specific individuals to a higher status, the Christian concept of a saint is perhaps the best known.
a saint is considered in various Christian denominations as a heavenly defender of a person, nation, place, class, activity, office, clan, family or vocation. traditionally it is believed that a saint has transcended to another worldly existence where he can intercede regarding the specific charges of him and act in people’s lives. Such is the influence, power, and presence of saints in people’s lives that honoring a specific saint in ink is a growing practice.
Saint tattoos are possibly some of the most personal tattoos people get. Carrying the image of a saint on the body is almost the ultimate commitment to the presence of that saint in a person’s life. plus, it turns out saints make some amazing looking ink.
1) c. jude
one of the twelve apostles of jesus, the veneration of judas as a saint occurred after his death sometime in the first century. he today he is recognized as one of the patron saints of Armenia and is also the saint of hopeless cases and lost causes.
2) c. florian
a commander in the roman army st. florian took it upon himself to oversee a firefighting brigade and created a group of soldiers dedicated solely to fighting fires. Punished for his Christian sympathy at a time when they were being persecuted, Florian drowned in a river. he later he was honored as the patron saint of firefighters, chimney sweeps and soapmakers.
3) c. cecilia
As the patron saint of musicians, it is believed that while the musicians played at her wedding, she “sang in her heart to the Lord”. st. cecilia was killed for her faith but later revered for her loyalty to her god. this bold and beautiful tattoo of st. cecilia was made by artist virginia elwood.
4) c. patrick
Here’s a saint we’ve all heard of. the patron saint of ireland st. Patrick’s Feast Day is celebrated around the world each year, though it’s perhaps more of a cultural holiday than anything from St. Patrick is, however, one of the most recognizable saints out there. known as the ‘apostle of ireland’ st. Patrician was instrumental in the spread of Christianity throughout the country.
5) c. Christopher
st. Christopher is more associated with the story of him carrying a little boy across a river, on the other side the boy revealed himself to be Jesus Christ. thereafter st. Christopher was regarded as the patron saint of travel and travelers. It is not uncommon for people to carry a small pendant or image of St. Christopher when he travels.
6) c. rita
rita of cascia or st. Rita is the patron saint of battered wives and bereaved women. Suffering abuse at the hands of her husband, Rita used her faith to talk him out of her actions. when he was later killed, she convinced her children not to seek revenge. Since her time, women all over the world have turned to Rita for guidance.
7) Padre Pio
Born in Italy in the late 19th century, Padre Pio was a friar, priest, and mystic. He became famous for the stigmata on him, the appearance of Christ’s crucifixion wounds on his hands and feet. in 2002 he was granted saint status.
8) santa ana
The mother of the Virgin Mary and grandmother of Jesus Christ, Santa Ana is today the patron saint of mothers and grandmothers, her feast is celebrated on July 25. Below is an amazing portrait of Santa Ana by the incredibly talented Megan Massacre!
9) c. Sebastian
an early christian martyr st. sebastian spoke out against the roman persecution of christians, as punishment he was tied to a tree and shot with arrows…he somehow survived but was killed at a later date. he is honored as the patron saint of soldiers and athletes.
10) mary mother of god
considered the queen of saints, mary is considered the spiritual mother of all the peoples of the world. Mary is the patron saint of all humanity, mother, suffering and family. nikko hurtado created this amazing back piece… truly amazing work!!!
