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Coptic Tattoos YOUR GU I DE TO ALL TAT TOO ART AN D DESIGNS

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Content

General Map

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Coptic Egypt

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Christian symbolism

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Old Crosses

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Modern Crosses

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Symbols & Letters

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Picture Gallery

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Test it yourslef

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Coptic Egypt Map

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Coptic Egypt

According to ancient tradition, Christianity was introduced within present day Egypt by Saint Mark in Alexandria; from there, Christianity spread throughout Egypt. Christianity began to spread to the rural areas, and scriptures were translated into the local language, today known as the Coptic language, but known as the Egyptian language at the time. The Coptic language spoken by the copts of Egypt was a direct descendant of the Demotic Egyptian spoken in the Roman era, but it has been near-extinct and mostly limited to liturgical use since the 18th century, they now speak Arabic.

By the beginning of the 3rd century AD, Christians constituted the majority of Egypt’s population. Nowadays, in the 21st century, Coptic people are considered to be the largest ethno-religious minority in Egypt. Their number is estimated to be between 7 and 15 million.

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From top to bottom left to right Coptic women at church during a holy mass.

Kids showing off their traditional coptic cross tattoo.

Gathering of coptic priests.

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Christian Symbolism

Christian symbolism is the use of symbols, including archetypes, acts, artwork or events, by Christianity. It invests objects or actions with an inner meaning expressing Christian ideas.

It is only after the legalization of Christianity in the 4th-century that more recognizable symbols entered in use.

Old Crosses

The art of tattooing crosses (the most popular and known Christian symbol worldwide) has occupied an important place in the history of the copts in Egypt. It has been used since the time of the Roman Empire to mark with a cross the wrists of the children in case they got separated from the families.

The tattooed cross is as small as a 0.5cm x 0.5cm square and used to serve as a reminder about their Christian religion to the children separated from their families.

There are now 3 places in Cairo that do the coptic tattoos; one is in Coptic Cairo, the other in the Coptic Cathedral and the third one in St. Simon monastry in Mukkattam.

The crosses in this chapter each have a historic meaning and symbolism. Some also have variations or combine several other kinds into one, resulting in new designs.

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Jerusalem Cross Also known as Crusaders’ cross or the Five-fold Cross�, consists of a large cross potent surrounded by four smaller plain crosses, one in each quadrant.

Jerusalem Cross - Variations

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Cross Bottony A cross with the ends of the arms bottony, i.e. shaped like a trefoil—It’s also called a cross trefly. In early armory it is not distinguished from a Cross Crosslet.

Variations of Cross Bottony

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Cross Potent This cross has a crossbar at the end of each of its arms. Potent is an old word for a crutch, and is used in heraldic terminology to describe a T shape.

Cross Potent - Thin

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Cross Crosslet The ends of each arm are crossed. In early armory it is not always distinguished from a Cross Bottony.

Frettee Cross Often found on coptic clerical clothing. Some believe it symbolizes the division of the world into 4 elements that unite in the center through the church.

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Cross Patonce A Cross Patonce is more or less intermediate between a Cross PattĂŠe and a Cross Fleur y. The ends of its limbs are trifurcated into leaf shapes.

Cross Patonce - Variations

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Cross Patonce - Variation Inspired by the Jerusalem Cross and using the arms of the Patonce Cross.

Cross Barbee The ends of this cross resemble fish spears.

This alludes to the Ichthys symbol of Christ.

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Cross PattĂŠe The arms meet at a point in the centre, producing a cross consisting of four triangles; the triangle represents the Holy Trinity in a Christianity.

Cross PattĂŠe - Variation The arms may be straight or concave but in essence, they are narrow at the centre, and broader at the perimeter.

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Cross Moline The four double-tipped arms create eight points which remind us of the eight beatitudes.

Cross CercelĂŠe It is like an exaggerated Cross Moline and to more similar to the Anchored Cross.

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Modern Crosses The crosses in this chapter have a lot of detail. They use organic and geometric forms as well as line art. They are inspired from old crosses, church architecture and old christian methods of art.

Cross Pommly The solid blob on the end of each arm represents an apple, symbol of the rewards of living a good Christian life.

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Modern Corss Barbee This is a modernized design of the Cross Barbee. It uses simple rectangles similar to church window art.

Modern Corss Barbee Also inspired from the old Cross Barbee as well as mosaic style forms and basic shapes.

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Modern Frettee Cross - Modified Inspired by the Frettee Cross and merging into a kind of Patonce Cross. Geometric details inspired by abstract art.

Modern Cross Fleurie Inspired by the old Cross Fleurie.

This modern and abstract version has transformed the organic, normally curved and flowerlike edges into stiff triangles. The details remain flowelike and organic.

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Peacock tail Cross - Line Art The 4 edges of the cross are inspired from the tails of the peacock which is a christian symbol.

Intercrossing Lines Cross - Line Art The basic geometric shapes unite in a harmonious constructed way to create an abstract similar to Cross Moline.

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Unlimited Love Cross - Line Art It is a cross inspired from the mosaic style present in many church decoration and architecture.

Cross Urdee & Cross Fleurette - Line Art This symetric, constructed cross is an abstract of Cross Urdee and Cross Fleurette specially at its edges.

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Infinite lines cross - Line Art The design is made using the same stroke width.

Framed cross - Line Art Outlined cross made using 2 different stroke widths.

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Pixel Squared Cross Inspired by the idea of the Jerusalem Cross. However, the smaller crosses which normally surround the central cross are made abstract and replaced by 4 squares.

Greeco-Jerusalem Cross It is a cross that combines the Greek Cross and the Jerusalem Cross. It uses positive and negative space.

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Triangles Cross A modern geometric cross that combines black strokes and triangular shapes as well as squares.

Frettee Cross - Modernized It is a design made only out of squares. It combines thick and thin strokes alternating between positive and negative spaces.

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Cross Potent triple lined A variation of the Cross Potent using different stroke widths and framed around the corners.

Greek Cross lined Double and triple lined variations of the Greek Cross.

It is probably the simplest of all cross designs.

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Crucification Coss It is an organic looking cross inspired by the crown of spikes that Jesus was wearing during his crucification.

Cross Wavy A modernized version of the original Cross Wavy. It does not only have a wave-like outlike but also the designs within the cross are wavy.

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Gothic Cross The combination of thick and thin strokes give the impression of dynamism and movement.

Decorative Cross Organic looking, vertical cross.

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Symbols & Letters The designs in this chapter have a certain symbolism. Most of them are inspired from biblical verses, meanings and sometimes animals. The Greek letters in this section represent the names given to Jesus Christ.

Double Patonce Cross - Modernized This design is inspired by the old Patonce Cross.

It uses another patonce cross rotated with an angle of 45° at its center.

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Chi-Rho - Letters Chi &Rho (XP) From the Greek word “XPi3to3”=“Christ” Widespread in Ancient Christianity and was used by the Roman Emperor Constantine.

Alpha & Omega They’re the first and last letters of the Greek aphabet.

Statement by Jesus: “I am the Alpha & the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

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Alpha & Omega, Chi-Rho The Alpha and Omega small letters are combined with the Chi-Rho letters. This symbol means that “Christ is the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”

Alpha & Omega, Chi-Rho The Alpha and Omega capital letters are combined with the Chi-Rho letters. This symbol means that “Christ is the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”

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IH Monogram - Iota (I) and Eta (H) The first two letters of the name Jesus in Greek.

The symbol means Jesus.

IX Monogram - Iota (I) and Chi (X) First capital letters for the Greek words for Jesus Christ, found in Palestine. The symbol means Jesus Christ.

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Dove It is the symbol of the Holy Spirit & the Christian soul.

During the baptism of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a Dove.

Olive Branch It is the symbol of peace and prosperity.

In the Bible, Noah and the flood, a dove returns bringing olive branch as a to announce the end of the flood.

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Anchor It is the symbol of hope, safety and calm.

Anchor - Outlines It is the symbol of hope, safety and calm.

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Picture Gallery This is a gallery of images that people who have tried our tattoos have shared with us.

We are now sharing their experiences with you to inspire you and motivate you.

Ichthys I=Jesus, X=Christ, O=of God, Y=son, E=Savior.

Which means Jesus Christ Son of God and Savior.

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Cross Bottony

Unlimited Love Cross

Crucification Cross

Modern Cross barbee

Peacock tail Cross

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Decorative Cross

Catholic Cross

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Jerusalem Cross - Variation

Modern Frettee Cross - Modified

Greek Cross Lined

Cross Wavy

Gothic Cross

Jerusalem Cross

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Jerusalem Cross Variation and Intercrossing Lines Cross

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Cross Urdee & Cross Fleurette

Modern Cross Barbee

Cross Patonce

Triangles Cross

Modern Cross Barbee

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This book was designed by AspĂŠ Djizmedjian, Carole Magued and Marina William under the supervision of Philipp Paulsen and Jochen Braun. The typefaces used were Mount Personal Use and AG Buch BQ. The Book was printed by Nubar Printing House in May 2016. Institution: The German University in Cairo

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