Pagans& Wiccans- Strange Question?

Published by: webmaster 2009-01-07

I am very new to the study and lifestyle of Paganism and the Craft, so this might seem like an absurd question but I cant help myself. How do pagans view tattoos, more specifically my tattoos. I have a large bat on my arm that is flying through the clouds under a full moon, I also have a skull& crossbones with butterfly wings on the inside of my wrist, as well as another purple skull on my foot- I love all of my tats and don't see anything wrong with them, but they are very macabe and as far as the skulls go they are very "death" focused. So how do those of you who practice paganism view those types of tattoos? Any and all info is appreciated--except those of you who want to criticize me. please take it elsewhere.

As far as Wicca is concerned - 'An it harm none, do as you will.

As far as I can tell, your tattoos are not harming anyone or anything, and it was obviously your will to get them.

Therefore no problem.

There is nothing wrong with tattoos in the Pagan/Wiccan/etc paths, they are a part of who you are now, Paganism supports self expression, even if you choose to express yourself darkly.

I don't see anything wrong with your tattoos.As a Wiccan and N. European Pagan path we traditionally embrace both sides of life the light and the dark.This month we celebrate Samhain (pronounced sowen) which is a day to celebrate and commune with the dead.It also marks the cyclical death of our Horned God(Herne,Cernnunos,or Cern).So I see nothing wrong with your tattoos.I have a few and will be getting more.Although your tattoos are dark make sure you strive to balance both dark and light.This is something we strive for in the Craft, BALANCE.By the way when I say dark it does not mean evil.It is just that side of life that occurs as a natural "negative" process like death , disease or damaging weather etc. Hope this helps.If you did find this helpful and have any other questions feel free to call me at 352-236-4677

Sounds very Incan (Mayan) to me

I think they will notice the symbolism, and assume

The Pagan Hierarchy::
Some groups are not pagan. That's correct. Some of the boxes are there for context. How come I'm down at the bottom of the hierarchy?
http://seapagan.org/pagan-hierarchy/HOME

pagans::
Nov 11, 2008 'Pagan' is the term Christians use to designate all those who don't accept the God of the Bible. Jews after Christ, as well as all Muslims,
http://skepdic.com/pagans.htmlHOME

that you are some kind of a satanist, a witch, a druggy,
or a goth party girl... of course that may not be true, but
it's the sort of first impression it will probably create.

Don't worry about it... I think you'll find you'll have more
people attracted to you from those ideas than are
put off, LOL

It all comes down to personal taste. I don't care (and I dont think many others will care) what you put on your body.... it just matters what kind of person you are. :)

I'am new to opening up to my Pagan life, but from what I understand tats are a matter of choice. I myself have two and they were gotten later in life, I believe that they have special meanings for each of us. I have a pair of angel wings on my upper back and plan to get them enlarged, they just mean so much to me. I have a special love of the fantasy world so a couple of baby dragons are in the near future and they will represent my two children, So to answer your questions as long as it does not harm anyone else be free and enjoy.
Blessed Be

I have been Wiccan for over 12 years and I've seen all kinds of body art on people - Pagan and non. Personally I don't care about what people put on their bodies. It's your body to do with as you see fit, not mine. The Pagans I know feel pretty much the same. If I saw your tattoos I would assume you chose to get them because you liked them. The only time I would view a person's body art negatively is if they had something offensive like a racial slur or something like that on them.

I don't have any tattoos but it's mainly because my husband really doesn't like them. Otherwise I probably would.

As long as YOU like them who cares? I have an angel tat. How is that for ironic?

Don't worry about it. There are no rules on this sort of thing as far as I'm aware. If someone cares, tell them to bugger off. It's not their business.

Pagans have tattoos sometimes, sometimes we don't. Personally, I prefer the kind that comes off, but whatever floats your boat.

Well I am Christian, and tattoos are view as bad in my religion. However, I have 3 and love them. There is really nothing you can do anyway, you already have them for life, and if you love them more power to you. There is no reason to feel bad for something you can't change.

I am Pagan. You have some good answers here from those before me. However, I take a slightly differing view. I do not care much for tattoos. I do not see them as bad exactly, but I do not like them. I have seen too many beautiful women mare their bodies with unsightly tattoos. (And piercings too, but that is another matter.) Of course it is your body to own; I will not think any less of you. Proceed as you see fit. But I view them as damaging an otherwise fine looking female body, that was just perfect the way it was made.

Please note also that this is my opinion as a MAN; not just as a Pagan.

So you can see my meaning, let me leave you with this poem from Robert Herrick:

Away with silks, away with lawn,
I'll have no scenes nor curtains drawn;
Give me my mistress, as she is,
Dress'd in her nak'd simplicities;
For as my heart, e'en so mine eye
Is won with flesh, not drapery.

If the tattoos mean something to you, then absolutely no reason why they should be wrong.

Also, people from many different ancient pagan cultures practiced tattooing or painting designs on the skin. These marks probably had social and religious meaning.

There's nothing negative about death. It's a part of life. I follow a Celtic path, and recent archaeological evidence has shown that the ancient Celts used to honour the dead by literally handling their skulls and bones. They often spent an entire night in the burial mounds. It was a way of communing with the dead.

As a pagan, I have absolutely no problems with your tattoos, as long as your happy with them, that's all that matters.
I have an enormous dragon on my back, I think tattoos are a lovely way to express one's self.
Blessed Be

Pagans are pretty laid back people. So I don;t think most of us would have a problem with tats either way.

Harm none and do what you will.

I think there's nothing wrong with them, and I don't know of any Pagans who would. I know a lot of pagans embue their tats with energy- happy energy, protective energy, etc. So that could be something you could experiment with.

Other than that, I don't think you have anything to worry about.

Tattoos are fine; there is nothing wrong with them in the Pagan world. I have tattoos myself and am going to get another. Pagans are pretty open minded when it comes to a lot of things.