Top 101 Christian Tattoo Ideas- [2022 Inspiration Guide]

Faith is an asset that devout men carry at all times, and a Christian tattoo will bring God out on every occasion. While ink may seem like part of the counterculture, these holy visages prove that body art is really for the believers!

Christian tattoos just keep gaining popularity, and it’s not just crosses or crucifixes. Theological imagery is presently being shaped into some of the most thrilling artistic designs ever conceived.

These iconic scenes include famous encounters with apostles and classic portraits of Jesus. A picturesque emblem of spirituality will keep you on the right path and remind you not to stray. It may even absolve your sins to open the gates of heaven.

Of course, copious Christian tattoos are comprised of passages from the Bible. Scripture can have profound personal meaning, so an enlightened man should pick the prayer that is most significant to him. Psalms make especially quotable Christian tattoos, but you have free reign to select text from The Old Testament and The New Testament.

Can you believe that there are finally tattoos that the Lord personally approves? Let’s all collectively say, “Hallelujah!” To celebrate this progressive trend in fashionable worship, just peruse the following catalog of Christ-friendly ink jobs!

1. Forearm Christian Tattoos

While many people get wrapped up in the design and significance of a tattoo, another component of any good tattoo that requires just as much consideration is the placement. For many people, professional settings and the attitudes of family members are important factors that must be considered before applying ink.

The forearm is a great location for tattoos because of the wearer’s ability to dictate when the tattoo is visible or not. Out at the bar, drinking some beers with the boys? Let it all out. Going to church on Sunday with grandma? Roll down the sleeves and spare her sensibilities. These are great Christian tattoos that look perfect on the forearm.  

2. Christ on the Cross Tattoos

Perhaps the most definitive concept in the Christian tradition is the sacrifice that Jesus made. By allowing himself to be crucified, Jesus was able to fulfill the prophecy and allow Christians to receive forgiveness from God. His sacrifice for mankind was made even more dramatic by the fact that it was mankind who had tried, sentenced and executed the very person who was dying to save them. 

Given the significance this event holds, it is no wonder that it has been the inspiration for countless works of art, including tattoos. One interesting tattoo trend places Christ on the forearm and uses forced perspective to create a depth that allows the wearer’s own hand to appear to be Jesus’. This creates a bond between Jesus and the wearer that is instantly recognizable.  

3. Upper Arm Christian Tattoos

 

For centuries the upper arm has been a popular spot to get tattoos for a number of reasons. First off, the larger size in comparison to the forearm makes it a good choice for bigger tattoos. The musculature of the biceps and triceps also provide artists with natural lines that can be incorporated into a design. Finally, the placement higher on the arm gives the wearer even more discretion regarding who can and cannot see their ink. These pieces show just how appealing Christian tattoos can be when placed on the upper arm.  

4. Full Sleeve Christian Tattoos

Some people get tattoos on their bodies with little thought of how the disparate pieces will be incorporated into a larger design down the road; and there is nothing wrong with that. For others however, they choose to get large, cohesive tattoos in which all the elements and images work together to create one, unified design. 

These full arm, Christian sleeves are perfect examples of this strategy. The arm is perfectly suited for these large pieces thanks to the way an artist can use the natural lines of the arm to draw the eye up and down the entirety of a piece, making for a more dynamic tattoo in the process. 

5. Back Christian Tattoos

The back is the largest single canvas on the entire body, and because of this, the big, uninterrupted skin of the back is the best choice for massive tattoos. These artists use an excellent application of black ink and gray wash shading to create gorgeous tattoos that use a photo-realistic approach along with a complex, collage like composition to capture a variety of scenes found in the stories of the Bible. Jesus, his mother Mary, and the Twelve Disciples can all be found in these stunning pieces inspired by the Christian tradition.

6. Side and Chest Christian Tattoos

A growing trend in the tattoo world sees more and more people using the side of the torso as a canvas on which to apply ink. Besides the back, the side is one of the larger canvases on the body and it is interesting for a couple reasons. The shape of the chest, rib rage and stomach provide the artist with plenty of interesting lines to incorporate into the tattoo while having Jesus “on your side” adds another layer of depth to this placement.

The chest is also a popular place for Christian tattoos thanks to the opportunity to place these deeply personal images directly above the wearer’s heart. These pieces are great examples of how appealing Christian designs can look on the chest and side.  

7. Hand Christian Tattoos

Not so long ago having tattoos on your hands meant that you were either a criminal or a sailor. This is no longer the case. With the global popularity and changing social stigma surrounding ink, more and more people are choosing to get tattoos on their hands, and these Christian designs are great examples. From pieces pulled from American traditional flash sheets, to more stylized, black and gray approaches, the variety of tattoos that can be successfully applied to the hands is surprising.  

8. Leg Christian Tattoos

The legs are another location for tattoos that seems to be growing more popular in recent years. Some people prefer to get leg tattoos because of their ability to dictate who sees their ink and who doesn’t; other people are just continuing on their quest to cover their entire bodies in tattoos. Whatever the reason, the legs make great canvases for a few reasons.

First off, there are different locations, from the calves and ankles, to the much bigger thigh muscles that can accommodate larger designs, the make legs a great choice. The legs also serve as the foundations for the rest of our bodies, adding to the significance when getting important images like these Christian designs applied to the legs.  

9. Negative Space Christian Tattoos

When using black and gray, an artist is limited by the color scheme so they must be clever in their approach in order to create an interesting tattoo. The use of negative space is absolutely paramount in terms of creating a black and gray tattoo that can still catch the eye and turn heads. 

The fully saturated black ink creates the darkest tones in a piece, while the untouched skin provides the negative space that makes up the other end of the spectrum used for the highlights. These Christian designs are excellent examples of how important negative space is when creating one of a kind black and gray tattoos.  

10. Virgin Mary Tattoos

After Jesus, the Virgin Mother Mary is probably the single most important figure in Christianity. In some traditions—Mexican Christianity specifically—Mary is given importance that almost eclipses that of Jesus. The Immaculate Conception is one of the most important stories in Christianity and is reenacted in Churches around the world every year on Christmas Eve. 

The Virgin Mary is the archetypal mother figure, forever available to listen to those who have lost their way, encouraging them to return to the flock. It is no wonder that she is such a popular subject for Christian tattoos and these pieces demonstrate how appealing these designs can be.  

11. Jesus Tattoos

While many people associate Jesus with his ultimate sacrifice and the gruesome scene of Christ on the Cross, the Bible is full of stories that highlight the peaceful and compassionate teachings that epitomized Jesus’ message. 

Jesus was a man that had all the different characteristics and flaws of one: from washing his disciple’s feet, to overturning the money changers at the temple, Jesus was undeniably human. Thanks to talented artists, these designs perfectly capture the different facets of Jesus Christ while creating gorgeous tattoos at the same time.  

12. Praying Hands Tattoos

Two hands, clasped together in prayer. Across all religions and faiths, from Buddhism to Christianity, Paganism to Islam, this is a universally recognized expression of prayer and reverence. These pieces use the beads of the rosary as a way to identify with Christianity, and the level of detail in these tattoos is impressive. Through the use of smooth black and gray shading these artists perfectly capture this instantly recognizable symbol of faith.   

13. Angel Tattoos

In the Christian tradition, angels are symbols of absolute faith, devotion, trust and love. They are often seen as the personification of these characteristics and serve as models for how the followers of Christ should live their lives. Besides this general symbolism, there are four Archangels, each with their own special significance. 

Michael is the first, and represents strength, integrity and protection. Gabriel is God’s messenger, while Raphael is associated with doctors and healing. Uriel has the job of showing man the difference of good and evil. Thanks to these different meanings many people choose to get a specific archangel tattooed.  

Check out the links below for other galleries focusing on a range of Christian themes:

• Top 51 3D Jesus Tattoo Ideas
• Top 101 Virgin Mary Tattoo Designs
• Top 63 Praying Hands Tattoo Ideas
• 3D Cross Tattoo Designs