Gothic Cross Tattoos

About Gothic Style

Gothic style is nothing new. In fact, it's been around for centuries and has been put to especially good use in architectural design. Consider Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris France. The structure is hauntingly beautiful and at the same time quite awe-inspiring; it's a perfect example of Gothic design at its best.

Today, Gothic is far more than a design style; it has evolved into a lifestyle simply known as "Goth". Although Goths tend to be stereotyped as depressed people who wear black clothing, this description is not truly accurate, nor does it do Goths justice. Goths embrace the beauty in life wherever it may be found, but they also aren't afraid to embrace life's darker side as well. For Goths, the two walk hand in hand.

Hallmarks of Gothic Design

Borrowing heavily from the architectural style that preceded it, the Gothic touch has been felt in a number of industries, including fashion and jewelry design. So, it's no surprise that this genre has been popularized in tattoos as well.

The true hallmarks of Gothic design include:

• Ornate detail: Why go with a simple line when you can create an ornate garden of fleur de lis, scrollwork and more?
• Shadows and shading: Rich shading lends Gothic design that heavy and slightly sinister character it's so famous for.
• Rich jewel tones: These are used in keeping with the Gothic philosophy on life and because they compliment the darker nature of the artwork so well.
• Mood: This is one of the most crucial aspects of Gothic design. Any work should emit a rich, almost haunting sense of beauty and perhaps a touch of sorrow as well.

On to Gothic Cross Tattoos

Now that we've covered some background on Gothic style, let's talk about Gothic cross tattoos. Crosses happen to be one of the most sought after tat designs, and this is for several reasons. First, they're generally considered a "safe" tattoo. Not too controversial, especially for a first timer. Second, a lot of people practice some form of faith, and crosses appear in the symbolism of many religions, thus they have a general appeal. Third, you can start with a basic cross and then add more embellishments to the design when you're ready. Crosses make great starter tats.

So, applying the tenets of Gothic design to cross tattoos, we wind up with a richly designed piece indeed. Gothic cross tats typically have a lot of dimension because of all the detailing. Mostly done in black ink, the tats are eye-catching on their own, but they don't reach their full potential unless you take them a step further.

Once you settle on your basic Gothic cross design, consider adding one or more of the following embellishments to really give your tat a life of it's own.

• Flowers: You can back a Gothic cross against a red rose for a stunning effect. Are Forget-Me-Nots more your style? They work well too.
• Vines: Imagine vines lovingly winding their tendrils up the main body of the cross, with just a blossom or two for accent.
• Jewels: Nothing goes as well with a Gothic cross tat as a blood red ruby worked into the center of the design, but feel free to use the jewel of your choice.
• Some Gothic crosses are created using a sword with an elaborate hilt. Add some jewels to that hilt, but also consider whether some blood on the blade would hold any special meaning for you.
• Along the same lines, a sword cross plunging into a heart could symbolize grief over a lost love, another popular theme in the Gothic world.
• If you do happen to celebrate the Gothic lifestyle, you might appreciate a little skull work added to your cross. This might mean adding a skull in the center, or perhaps adding a small skull to the end of each point on your cross. See what your imagination suggests.
• Gargoyles are another element associated with this design style. Consider adding the face of one of the creatures to your design.

Gothic Design is for Everyone

Wearing Gothic cross tattoos doesn't automatically mean you embrace the entire Goth lifestyle. It just shows you have an appreciation for details in your ink work. Any deeper interpretation is up to you.