Arabic Symbols Tattoo

Tattoos in the Muslim Culture

The Middle East is a culture rich in a storied history and a colorful personality all its own. Many Muslims (particularly those residing in Iraq, Iran and Saudi Arabia) are very much opposed to the art of tattoo. Many will think about henna, but unlike traditional tattoos, henna is not permanent. Despite originating in the Middle East henna is still worn mainly by women and it serves as a means to depict important occasions or milestones in one’s life such as births and weddings.

Permanent tattoos are strictly forbidden under the Muslim religion. It is against God’s law to place something upon our body that was not placed there at birth. This is not limited to tattoos as piercings are also forbidden as is having plastic surgery or other body modifications performed.

Despite this law, Arabic symbols tattoos are growing in popularity in the Arab and non-Arab world. With the current situations brewing, many questions were raised about the culture and upon inspection, it is a beautiful belief system dedicated to the word of God, dedication to your family and friends, and an utmost respect for the “Temple of God,” i.e. the body of the individual. This has taken foothold in other countries and the beauty of the language has transcended any negativity that may be associated with the few.

What to Know About Arabic Symbols Tattoo

Becoming inked is a process. One needs to be prepared mentally and physically in order to come through the process in the best possible way. As with any type of tattoo you must be sure that it is exactly what you want because you will be stuck with it possibly your lifetime. It is more expensive to get a tattoo removed (and a lot more painful) then it is to get one initially.

Unless you can read Arabic, follow the guidelines below prior to getting an Arabic symbols tattoo:

• Only use a reputable, clean and professional tattoo artist
• Make sure you have the right translation for the phrase you wish to use in Arabic and make sure to check with several sources
• When selecting your tattoo choose one that represents your spirit and soul, one that will best represent the richness of the Middle Eastern culture
• Arabic consists of just 18 letter shapes that serve as a base and they change slightly depending on which characters come before and after it.
• Placing several Arabic symbols side by side does not make a phrase, saying or symbol
• It is important to note that several styles of script exist depending on the area of the Middle East you are researching
• The best course of action is to ask someone who writes and speaks Arabic to create the phrase for you but some will not support using the language as a tattoo

Several ideas of Arabic sayings that can be used as a tattoo are:

These tattoos all have special meanings and placing them in the right spot on the body can be very important. Henna tattoos are placed upon the hands and feet as those areas are most seen by others so that they can partake in the joy of the wearer. The same idea can be applied to these by placing them around the ankle, a bracelet style around your wrist, or on the top of your foot for instance. In rare circumstances those in the west who have adopted Muslim as their new belief will have their former names tattooed in Arabic on the neck instead of seeking to have them removed.

Tattoos are Universal

The Middle Eastern culture is filled with many wise sayings that still hold true through thousands of years to this day. Those who are not members of Islam find their teachings just as beneficial as those that are Muslim. These sayings will be tattooed upon them to serve as a remembrance of a significant time in their lives.

This practice holds true through many other cultures and religions of the world. The characters that are relevant to the Middle Eastern culture are also represented in other forms found in other religions of the world. Much of the same ideals and influences are found in Christianity by tattooing a cross on yourself or a pair of hands cupped in prayer.