Cross Tattoos

[zhilan]

I notice that many Coptics have a small tattoo of the cross on their right wrists. I did a bit of research on it and it seems it is somewhat controversial among Coptics whether this is a good practice or not. What are your opinions on it? Do you have one? Also, when people get them, at what age do they usually get it?

 

[copticorthodoxy]

The Copts are Proud so much of the Cross , so alot of Coptics make a small tattoo of the cross on their right hand , but this is just a coptic folklore not obligation from the church ... in my opinion i see that it is not necessary to do it , i don't have one . ... by the way i saw Eastern Orthodox from syria have the cross tattoo not the Copts only

 

[minasoliman]

Everyday, when I see fellow Copts bearing larger and more elaborate and colorful cross tatoos in the US, I am convinced that not only do we not need it, but certainly SHOULD not have it.

God bless.

Mina

 

[feo]

Everyday, when I see fellow Copts bearing larger and more elaborate and colorful cross tatoos in the US, I am convinced that not only do we not need it, but certainly SHOULD not have it.

God bless.

Mina

Whys that?

 

[zhilan]

Everyday, when I see fellow Copts bearing larger and more elaborate and colorful cross tatoos in the US, I am convinced that not only do we not need it, but certainly SHOULD not have it.

God bless.

Mina

All of the ones I've seen have been the same, a small and simple cross on the right hand. That's not to say I doubt what you're saying. From what I understand, the Muslims used to force the Coptics to get these tattoos and now it has become a badge of pride of sorts, a way to show they are not ashamed of their faith. I would think it all goes to intention.

 

[minasoliman]

Coptic tattoos were used as a memorial for the times when our ancestors were told that they would wear black and a huge heavy chain necklace of a cross around their necks, which would cause their necks to be greenish-blue. That is why the cross tattoo has to be green/blue. Where you may see this, there might be good intentions by some. But since we don't live in Egypt anymore, we don't understand what discrimination means and what struggles we may go through. Instead we live in a free society with the luxury of certain rights not given to us when were we in Egypt. Thus, when I see teens tattoo themselves with the cross, they are to me desecrating the holy practice done by those suffering in Egypt.

That is why I'm against it. They do not tattoo with good intentions, but simply to show off to their friends a tattoo like everyone else has a tattoo.

In addition, in Egypt, many people who get cross tattoos don't even remember when they got them, because they get these tattoos at a very young age due to kidnappings and persecutions. It has been indeed a way of identification between Muslims and Coptic Orthodox and as a means of protecting the Coptic Orthodox from all that goes on around them.

God bless.

Mina