Cross Tattoos for Men and Their Meanings
Cross tattoos are one of the most popular styles of tattoos for men. They are striking, often symbolic, and can be incorporated into a variety of designs. But you don't have to be Christian in order to get a cross design tattoo. The cross is not just a Christian symbol. It has meaning in secular life too, giving you plenty of reasons to play around with the motif for your own versions of beautiful cross tattoos.
Meanings of the Cross
In Christianity: In modern Christianity, the holy cross is a symbol of Christ's triumph over sin and death and a reminder of God's love in having sacrificed his son for the salvation of humanity. It also represents atonement.
Before Christianity: The cross that was used for Christ's execution is itself a reminder of the historical use of the cross for the punishment of convicts. The convicts were cruelly and inhumanly strung on wooden crosses and met a brutal end.
The Ankh Cross: The ancient Egyptian Ankh cross symbol, with a teardrop-like shape mounted on a T was a symbol of the balance of life and death, immortality, as well as male and female union. The Egyptians used the symbol in their picture-script (hieroglyphics) for the word "life".
The Celtic Cross: This is another ancient symbol in the shape of a cross and a ring surrounding the intersection. The symbol was used in Ireland and Scotland to represent heritage and faith. It also has a mystic meaning that many people associate with the circle of life. The Celtic cross is seen in a variety of intricate and beautiful ornamental designs in art and in tattoos in particular, since the Celtic Revival.
Tribal Crosses: Tribal crosses owe their origins to ancient tribes from across the world, where the men would decorate their bodies with natural pigments and vibrant colors along with black. The purpose of these tattoos was to ward off evil. Many modern tattoo artists enjoy creating cool variations of tribal crosses with additional design elements.
Cross tattoo ideas for guys
Many Christians like to wear cross designs for tattoos with some lettering of their favorite verse from the Bible. To make it even more striking, you can have your favorite Bible verse lettered in the form of the cross itself. Alternatively, instead of having the entire verse tattooed, you can simply have the chapter and verse number in the design. Along with these, you can have some other relevant symbol. For instance, your favorite bird for Psalm 139:9 "If I rise on the wings of the dawn...”
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The Celtic Cross is very versatile as a tattoo for guys and can be stylized in many ways. One of the most popular traditional ways is to have a Celtic-knot pattern down the arms of the cross. You can also combine a Celtic cross with Celtic-knots to wear as a tattooed armband around your biceps.
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You can wear a holy cross tattoo on your back along with stylized angel wings for a striking full-back tattoo. This is a popular men's cross tattoo design that can have many cool variations with color and style.
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Aztec cross patterns are very cool renditions of the geometric Aztec prints in the form of a cross. The cross itself can be a Celtic cross (with a circle at the intersection) or a plain one.
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Men who are fathers have a great option to wear a mens cross tattoo along with their love for their kids, on their body. You can have your tattoo artist design a pattern for you in the form of a ribbon wrapped around the longer shaft of the cross, engraved with the name of each child on each visible loop.
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Tribal-inspired men cross tattoos can be classic, elaborate and lined with color, or they can be more modern, minimalist versions.
The great thing about crosses is that you can wear them anywhere on your body. You can have a tiny cross etched on your finger, or a large full-back or shoulder design. Small cross tattoos for men can be worn on the neck. Cross tattoos can also be worn on the forearm or upper arm. Some guys have crosses tattooed on their knuckles for a very cool, permanent-ring effect. Shade them, cover them with thorns, and make them burn in flames or leave them as striking black and white. You can't go wrong when you choose a cross tattoo that is beautiful, meaningful, cool and timeless.
The Best Cross Tattoo Designs for Men
Blue Cross Tattoo on the Back
A cross arriving in massive size is laid upon the arch of the back, permeated with the heavenly blue faded color like the stained glass windows of ancient times, with full-blown gigantic wings comprised of numerous delicate feathers resting behind it.
Symbolic Cross Tattoo on Arm
Created with beveled sides, soft curves, and nailed at the middle, this symbolic cross appears slightly elevated and raised, giving the impression that it's separate object rather than a painted tattoo, and that you can almost grasp it with your hands.
Red Cross on Shoulders
Lined in gothic borders, this cross is filled with the powerful, strong and passionate red color. Solid thick black lines smoothly glide and wrap its way around the cross design tattoo holding both curved and pointed ends just like sharp, piercing thorns.
Gothic Wooden Cross Tattoo
The wooden cross is a classic image among cross tattoo sketches. Thick wood that's intricately detailed with lines carved onto the surface are enhanced with the piece of cloth Jesus wore draped over it, and highlighted with the crown of thorns and pointed nails beneath.
Ideal Cross Sleeve Tattoo Design
Simple yet very beautiful, this plain cross gives the ideal cross sleeve tattoo designs to flaunt. It is bare within, but the outline is brimming with curves, stokes, and waves of different sizes and hues of black, making the arm look quite attractive.
Winged Cross Tattoo
Exhibiting a thick cross figure that's lined with pointy edges, where the wings of an eagle are spread out and stretched right at the back. Feel the freedom and strength the bird owns as it soars high and proud up in the sky with this winged cross.
Christian Cross Tattoo on Chest
A design that stands out among the beautiful cross tattoos, giving a much more divine appeal, this cross encompasses the Holy Trinity- the Father, Son and Spirit, altogether in a cross to carry with entwined thorns stinging and embracing the neck.
Cross and Feathered Wings Tattoo Design
A full-bodied elevated cross giving off the look of elegant marble, laden with your name or someone significant to you. The feathered wings of a dove or maybe an angel are widely spread and hug the cross, evoking more grace into it.
Cross Design on Guy's Back
This cross renders a very meaningful design. It looks heavy, made out of stone or rock, one that has a strong foundation. The fill and borders are all deep with lines and various shades, heightened with names written right across.
3D Red Cross Tattoo Ideas
A unique presentation of the cross, the skin torn apart to have it drawn within using thin lines, and then given a bloody red color. It is set amidst a background of what's similar to an armor, shield, or scales of a ferocious beast.
More cross tattoos for men on the next page...
Holy Rosary Tattoo Design for Men
Utterly recognizable and one of a kind, this creation extends beyond the cross itself. The Holy Rosary is magnified to complement the body's silhouette, where the brilliant black beads form flowing shadows and the cross is beautifully illustrated and produces a shadow of its own.
Dragon Tattoo and Cross Design
This Dragon tattoo design presents a cross ornate with finely depicted curves, loops and both thin and thick lines. Solid black dominates while a dragon rests on top, clinging on with its huge wings, sharp claws, and long, scaly body up to its tail.
Mens Cross Tattoo on Back
This men's cross tattoo on back is enveloped in a circle around the intersection, symbolizing the sun, and exhibiting a diamond within it, this wide cross is adorned with carefully drawn knots looped and twisted, and made to overlap each other, to ultimately form the celtic cross design tattoo.
Colorful Cross Designs for Tattoos
Among the colorful cross designs for tattoos, this sketch portrays the beauty of the rose, whether to show love or sacrifice, placed at both sides of the cross lined with golden curvy borders, beaming and appearing both mighty and powerful.
Small Cross Tattoos for Men
One of the perfect small cross tattoos for men is the winged cross in its miniature form, illustrated onto the back of the neck. A cross with thick borders both pointed and curved, with small angel wings spread far and wide for a welcoming look.
Chest of Men's Cross Tattoo Designs
One style of men's cross tattoo that leaves a remarkable impact and lasting impression, the cross shines through with a bright and divine light, intensified with tremendous wings that reach the clouds and skies, with a quote engraved on top to give it a personalized touch.
Arm of Men Cross Tattoos
Another unique form of men cross tattoos, this sword type masterpiece seeks admiration with the thought put into it. This cross is actually two lengthy sharp-edged nails tied together and tucked into the skin, squeezing out drips of blood and tormenting pain.
Shoulder Cross Tat for Men
A tattoo emblazoned with rich texture, the cross is the center of attraction which seem like ropes being held together, accentuated with graphics and thin lines, a quote surrounding it, altogether placed inside a frame with finely outlined and stroked edges.
Tribal Cross Tattoo Design
A tribal cross combines a classic theme along with modern styles with plain black curvy lines that are destined to flow freely, then interlaced together towards forming the tips, sides, and thorns, finally resulting to an outstanding work of art.
Christ on the Cross Back Tattoo
A very symbolic work of art, truly a masterpiece depicting Christ on the cross, showing the snake, angels, death, and suffering. One can feel the heavens looking down upon earth in this beautiful representation of the cross from tattoo that covers the entirety of the arms, shoulders and back.
More cross tattoos for guys on the next page...
Cross Tattoo Sketch Design
This cross tattoo sketch implies a classical, gothic, modern look altogether with extravagant curves, beveled sides and completely detailed edges. The cross is endowed with studs and linings all throughout the insides giving it a whole, individual meaning and exquisite appearance.
Cross Within a Cross Side Tattoo for Guys
A cross within a cross, the boundaries are set in solid black with sharp tips, and the inner drawing composed of ropes and chains that are invulnerable and cannot be broken. The loops are continuous and unending, parallel to its stunning design.
Cross and Flower Tattoos for Men
A significant red rose garlands the center of this cross, wrapped in dainty film containing meaningful words, such as honoring the memory of a loved one. The heavens bestow its glory in it with wings arched high above with glittering feathers outstretched behind the rose and cross tattoos.
Men's Symbolic Cross Tattoo
Two simple nails, short and long, tied together in opposite directions, make up one beautiful thing, a symbolic cross. It is stabbed into the skin causing trickles of blood, and eliciting a courageous air to the individual along with a strong physique and spirit.
Modern and Artistic Tattoo of a Cross on Man's Back
Modern and artistic, this cross is composed of shades of black and blue deeply applied in bold and brave hues. You can have your initials engraved right in the middle, within a circle of a defined, majestic frame, with delicate twists, loops and tangles all over the cross.
Prayerful Tattoo
This is a prayerful tattoo that perfectly fits on the arm. The praying hands perfectly fit within the cross with the rosary nicely appearing entwined on the hand. The tattoo is a symbolic prayer of a prayerful person who believes in Christianity.
Cool cross Arm Tattoo Design
The cross tattoo symbolizes both love and fear with a symbol of heart shown in red and some scary eyes below the heart symbol. The cross is made in form of a creature with what appear to be horns at the top and flowers at the bottom. It appears nicely on the arm and people will always stare at you trying to understand it.
Cross Tattoo Idea on Man's Back
This cross tattoo idea on man's back is nicely imprinted on the back and a great show for your believe in religion. The center of the cross has a circular drawing with another inner triangular drawing all meant to bring out the artistry work done. The tattoo is enclosed is some angelic wings from what is commonly seen in those biblical movies.
Cross on Back
The cross is a symbol one with wings at the top showing your believe in God. The words around the tattoo rhymes well with the cross as they show a firm believer in faith, family and the strength which are fundamentals for any Christian family.
Unique Jesus Christ Tattoo Design
This one is a unique one with the head of Jesus Christ as we know from the Bible movies meant to fit nicely with the end of the arm. A cross is them imprinted at the center of the head to crossing the eyes and the nose. Smaller crosses around the head act as beards with thorns the wee put on the head of Jesus appearing at the top of the head.
More cross tattoos for guys on the next page...
Wooden Cross Tattoo Idea
For those who love simplicity, well, this is great one for them. The wooden cross tattoo is plain but nicely set on the arm without any other drawing. This is one of the few clean cross inspired tattoo around for those who don't want a lot of images on their bodies.
Black Cross Symbol
This is another symbol cross tattoo but goes a step further with several decorations on the cross. Both tips of the cross appear sharp with the cross perfectly fitting the arm where it can easily be seen from a distance.
Small Cross Tattoo Idea for Men
A small one but very symbolic small cross tattoo idea for men on the hand. It is not easily seen but one most Christians will love to have as it does not attract much attention.
Angel Cross Idea
Well, a unique one with what appears to be an angel in the form of a cross. This cross tattoo seems to have what looks like a head and wings with strong words at the bottom, 'Only God Can Judge me'. The perfect tattoo for passing messages across to those who judge you.
Remembrance Cross Tattoo for Guys
This is a remembrance cross tattoo and great way to remember your loved ones. The cross is perfectly imprinted on the arm with the name of your loved one who passed away and the time they lived in earth. Few people would love to be reminded of their loved ones as it brings all the emotion.
Rosary Cross Tattoo
Nicely crafted on the right part of your back, this cross tattoo is entwined with a rosary which is nicely decorated on your back. The cross is a short one with the rosary extending down past the level of the cross.
Steel Tattoo with Cross Motive
It appears to be a steel of a cross tattoo crafted from some metal material. The tattoo has several small tattoo engravings with the point of cross crafted to fit in a small circle.
Dark Colors Tattoo
This is a small one on the fro part of the arm imprinted in dark colors. The cross tattoo appears to be a Celtic cross with a triangular shape and circular shapes enclosing the cross point. There are decorations on the top end of the cross and sideways making the tattoo look nicely on the arm.
Ancient Cross Guy's Tattoo
This is a unique tattoo inspired from the ancient stories. The tattoo is created in the form of a cross and a key which is a great symbol for those who believe in Christ. The key symbolizes Jesus as the key to great things. Several decorations around the cross hide the tattoo cross making it to appear engraved to some wall.
More cross tattoos for men on the next page...
Wooden Tattoo Cross on Man's Shoulder
This is a wooden tattoo cross with strapping around it. There appears ring on the top end of the tattoo with a bible verse written on it showing a strong believe in Christianity.
Good Day To Die Tattoo
"It is a Good Day to Die," Well, this tattoo seems controversial in some many ways but it is symbolic in the fact that it represents the fact that Jesus died on the cross. It is then good day to die if only you're dying in Jesus Christ's name.
Tattoo With Cross and Wings
This is a winged cross tattoo which shows the angel wings attached to the cross. The wings of the tattoo appear flapping upwards as if ready to fly with some word engraving at the bottom of the tattoo.
Wooden Cross Shoulder Tattoo
This is a wooden cross tattoo which is held by hand as a show demonstrating your love for Christ. It is a great one with the fact that the hand holds the cross and all this nicely fits on a small surface on the arm.
Men's Chest Tattoo
Appearing on the chest, this cross tattoo idea seems to occupy the entire surface on the chest. The cross fits well with the man’s breasts and has several decorations that join with the cross at the top extending the entire area to the arms. This will definitely appear great in those who love swimming.
Small and Simple Cross Tattoo on Back
A very small but conspicuous cross which can be seen from a distance. It is very dark hence appear very visible from a distance. There are no many decorations making it a clean cross tattoo to have.
Top of Heart Cross Tattoo
Imprinted on top of the heart, this tattoo shows where your faith is. It is slanting with several decorations around it making it appear unique.
Risen Savior Tattoo
This cross tattoo looks an old one as if picked from some mad but has a great message imprinted on it. The tattoo recognizes that Jesus did rise and is our savior.
Celtic Cross Tattoo
This is a stone Celtic cross which appears to be a stone curved into chains. The cross tattoo makes your back appear ripped off making it very unique.
Elegant Neck Tatto With a Cross
Appearing on the neck, this is conspicuous one that can easily be seen any time. It is small yet symbolic engraved within a circle. A great way to show your faith in drawing.