Guardian Angel Tattoos

Getting guardian angel tattoos is a popular way to show many different types of emotions and beliefs. From displaying your Christianity to memorializing a loved one, or just because you love angels, these tattoos are worn by many in today's culture.

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Guardian angels are a concept that started in Christianity, specifically Roman Catholicism. These angels are considered to be one type of a specific group of angels, known as the tutelary angels, and they are believed to be assigned to a specific person by God. Guardian angels are said to stay with this person throughout their whole life, staying by a mortal in order to help protect him from harm and also to help communicate prayers to God.

The first definition of guardian angels was made in the 5th century, and since then, the view of these angels has changed a bit. Many believe that these guardians are not angels assigned by God, but that they are the spirits of loved ones who have passed on before them. They believe these spirits perform much the same function as the early versions of these angels, but they also have a personal connection in that they're someone a person has known and loved.

When choosing to get a guardian angel tattoo, you have several options. For many, the quintessential image of a guardian angel actually comes in the form of a more cherubic image: Raphael's angels from the Sistine Madonna. This is perhaps the most popular image of angels seen today, and it is printed on everything from coffee cups to jewelry. While some people may see a tattoo of these angels as an homage to Raphael, a great painter, others might think that these images have been highly overused.

Some choose to get more stylized angels inked on their bodies. These angels can be curvaceous or chaste, full adults or children. It's important to get an image of a guardian angel that you feel comfortable with or that coincides with your belief system.

Another option for a guardian angel tat is more abstract - wings. Angel's wings can be used as a way to show that you know your guardian angel is watching you without having to show a specific face or type of angel. Some people choose to get these wings tattooed spread across their backs in emulation of an angel themselves.

Many people who have lost a loved one choose to get an image or representation of that person inked on their bodies. When the death involves a young child, some choose to get a guardian angel tattoo incorporating the image of the child. These tattoos can represent the fact that these little ones are now becoming guardian angels, or that their angels have taken them up to heaven. Whichever way you choose to see this sort of tattoo, it can be very cathartic for those who have lost a loved one to get a tattoo in remembrance. These tattoos can also include the dates of someone's birth and death, as well as their name or nickname, to make the angel even more personal.

• TattooFinder has several examples of different types of angels that can be tattooed, from cherubs to more abstract designs.
• TattooJohnny also has some great examples of angelic tattoos, from the more traditional "Christmas" style angels to more dark styles.

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