Sacred Heart Tattoos

Sacred Heart Tattoos reflect a special religious devotion to Jesus Christ. They are one of a few religious tattoo designs deemed acceptable by Christianity at large, which tends to frown upon the practice of tattooing.

Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ has been practiced for centuries, having been brought to the forefront of Christian practices through the miraculous visions of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, although many saints have also shared this devotion through the ages.

The tradition goes that Christ revealed himself to Margaret Mary and, in a series of apparitions, unveiled a promise of 12 graces that would be granted to all who practiced devotion to his Sacred Heart, which had suffered for love of mankind.

1. He would grant devotees the graces needed for their stations in life.
2. He would give them peace within their families.
3. He would console them in their troubles.
4. Devotees would find refuge in Christ's heart during their lives and especially during the hours of their deaths.
5. He would abundantly bless their undertakings.
6. Sinners would find in his heart an unlimited source of mercy and forgiveness.
7. He would help lukewarm souls become fervent.
8. He would help fervent souls attain perfection.
9. He would bless the homes where images of his Sacred Heart are displayed and honored.
10. He would give devoted priests the power to soften the most hardened hearts.
11. He would write the names of all who spread this devotion upon his heart, never to be erased.
12. All who received Communion on the first Friday of nine consecutive months would receive the grace of final reconciliation, and his heart would be their refuge in that final hour.

Two typical elements of a Sacred Heart tattoo - the heart and a cross

These are powerful promises which have served to keep devotion to the Sacred Heart alive throughout the Christian world, even to this day.

Sacred Heart tattoos are an extension of the original practice of displaying an image of Jesus' Sacred Heart in a place of honor in the home. If venerating a Sacred Heart image is good, printing it on the body in indelible ink is considered an even greater sign of devotion that can be carried with one always.

Sacred Heart tattoos vary greatly in style, but there are certain elements that are always present in the image.

• First, there is the heart itself, sometimes pictured realistically but more often in the traditional Valentine's heart shape. The heart may be whole or broken.
• Next, the heart is pierced by a thorn or may be wrapped in a crown of thorns, symbolic of the crown forced on Christ at his crucifixion.
• From the point where the thorn pierces Christ's heart, droplets of water and blood may be depicted, signifying purification and redemption.
• Typically, Sacred Heart tattoos also display one to three crosses surrounded by flames.

The deeply personal nature of tattoos seems to naturally dovetail with the expression of religious devotion. This form of expression is not limited to Christianity. It can also be found in Buddhist, Hindu and Celtic religions, to name a few. Religions and tattoos go together more often than most people think.

For many, the expression of faith in a higher power is an intimate part of the human experience, one they want to share with the rest of the world. Sacred Heart tattoos are just one means of symbolizing a belief in the Christian faith.

• ReligiousTattoos.net features numerous images to help you find inspiration for your own Sacred Heart design.

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