Exploring the Connection Between Tattoos and Paganism

Today I thought I would talk about tattoos. As someone with several tattoos, and plans to get more hopefully soon, I wanted to dive further into a link between tattoos and Paganism and magic. 

Also, most everything in this post will be my opinion based on what I think of when it comes to tattoos and what I researched. I understand some people don’t like the concept of marking their bodies, I am not one of them, nor have I ever been one of them. I’m also assuming you haven’t just crawled out from under a rock, I’m assuming anyone reading this will know what tattoos are. Lol. 

So, in my research, I actually learned several things that I probably should have known to be honest. Lol

The process of tattooing people has apparently been around for quite some time, at least since the Neolithic time period, which was the final division of the Stone Age. Which has been proved by the mummified remains of ancient civilizations that had body modifications. Actually, the oldest reported discovered tattooed human to date is the body of Otzi the Iceman, who was found and dated between 3370 and 3100 BC. He was found with 61 preserved tattoos. 

I am actually really fascinated by how the early tattoos were performed. The Austronesian people widely practiced the early techniques of taking hafted tattooing points and tapping on the handle with a length of wood called a mallet to drive the points into the skin. The points were generally made from citrus thorns, fish bones, bone, teeth, or turtle and oyster shells while the handles and mallets were made from wood. The Papuans and Melanesian people would use distinctive obsidian piecers for their tattoos. 

Obviously, when bringing up the concept of tattoos and religion it is a sensitive topic for most of the “mainstream” religions. I can’t tell you how many websites I had to scroll through that went over how Jesus think’s tattoos are bad, and that the bible tells you not to get them. And don’t get me wrong, if you want to follow the bible and not get tattoos because it goes against your religion, knock yourself out. That’s your choice, but don’t preach to other people about their choices, unless you are asked by the person for your opinion. 

Now for the magic and Paganism tie in to tattoos in my mind. So, I will go into my tattoos that I have/will be getting eventually, but there are several reasons that I want to get tattoos or why I already have them. I am a firm believer that there should be some form of reasoning behind getting tattoos, but I’m also of the opinion that I’m not going to regret a tattoo because at one point it would have been important to me. For example, I eventually plan to do the big tattoo taboo and get a tattoo for Serenity, because no matter what happens between us, she will always be the mother of my children, and I will always love her. Obviously, that doesn’t work for everyone and that’s okay. 

I think coming from a magical standpoint, if that’s what your tattoos are going to incorporate, there needs to be some added thought put into it before you go under the needle. There could be some repercussions of just going out and getting the first magic symbol you see permanently put on your body. There should be a reason behind the symbols, something that means something to you. One of the main reasons you could get a “magic tattoo” is getting a protection symbol somewhere, or if you are having health issues, you can get a healing symbol or something like that. 

Tattoos and magic have always been connected in my mind, I don’t know if it’s just because I see it as a way to express myself and my faith, or if it’s because magic and tattoos are often together in most of the magic that is represented by the mainstream media. Either way, from what I can tell, there is some basis in magic and tattoos being linked together based on the history of a multitude of different cultures, and each one tends to have a different technique or meaning behind why they use their tattoos. Just look at the Hindu culture and how they use henna to replace actual tattoos in their faith. 

When it comes to my tattoos specifically, I have a mixture of tattoos I’d consider both personal and magical. My first tattoo was of a dragon, it was actually a birthday gift from Serenity almost 8 years ago. I’d consider this a little bit of both personal and magic, I chose the dragon because I’m a fire element and I have always been fond of dragons. It was actually part of my original magic name. Then when Derek was born, I got his name and birthday on my shoulder, this is actually why I should have 2 more tattoos than I already have. Lol I still need to get Evelyn and Kara’s tattoos done. I have a band of the elements and a double pentacle on both my wrists, which is definitely the most magical of my tattoos, these are actually not fully done, I still need to have it outlined again. Then we have a group tattoo with Serenity, Sapphire, and I of a pentacle on our foot. 

Eventually I plan to get several different symbols in some way shape or form. I also want to get dragon wings on my back, I’m just not 100% sure how I actually want to do it anymore. I had intended to get it from the top of my shoulders all the way down to my lower back, which honestly is still probably what will happen, but I don’t know anymore. Lol. 

I think that’s about everything I intended to write about tattoos for today. Like I said, I probably will eventually write an update about my tattoos specifically at some point. Maybe Sapphire will jump on and talk about her tattoos as well. 

Let me know what your thoughts are on tattoos! Also, because I feel like we haven’t plugged our socials in forever. Come join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! We barely post to them, which I am working on getting better at, but you will be able to see whenever a post goes live on the website from FB and twitter! We also have a TikTok that we are in the process of starting! 

Okay, self-promotion is done now, let me know about your tattoos! See you next week!