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| Coptic Christian Tattoos: Redemption, Reign, Resurrection |
"Tell Me the Story About Your Tattoos ... "
This is the finale in a 3-part series of posts focusing on the ancient and fresh Christian artwork that is wrapped around my right forearm.
Due to the history and unique line work of Jerusalem Tattoos, along with the strong artistry of my friend, Kevin Shattuck, with Iconic Ink, I get the privilege to talk with curious people who lean in and wonder about the meaning behind each of my tattoos. One Eastern Orthodox friend said, "It's like you have your own icons to turn you back to Christ every time you look at your arm."
Some have even wondered if I could try doing an Instagram or TikTok video sharing about the history and symbology of the various pieces. Maybe someday. But for now, this is the final in a series of posts sharing about each tattoo. The first two were:
Quick History of Jerusalem Tattoos
For a pithy overview of where this particular style of tattoos comes from, it originates in North Africa nearly 800 years ago. In this area of the world, Christians have often suffered intense persecution, particularly among Coptic Orthodox Christians. One family, the Razzouks, were Christians living in Egypt in the 1300s. Seeking to escape the violence, they became refugees who settled in Jerusalem where they set up Razzouk Tattoo, which still exists today and welcomes pilgrims from all over the world.
Reign Tattoo
This tattoo on the side of my right forearm was created when I was on a spiritual retreat at the Abbey of the Genesee in October 2022. During the Great Silence, a 24-hours time frame of solitude and quiet, I spent 7+ hours in the sanctuary praying, reading, meditating, and drawing. The imagery that came together during the sketching time is now on my forearm.
I call this my "Reign Tattoo" (the others l refer to as my "Redemption" and "Resurrection" tattoos) because it showcases from the top to the bottom of the tattoo that:
When all things are made new,
its leaves providing healing for all the nations,
as heaven's cleansing waters flow on us
fully present in the presence of the Holy One
— the Word of life and the key to life —
who invites us into a family
of every tribe, tongue, and nation,
grateful to eat at the same table together,
set and served by the King of kings,
every drink full of grace and gratitude
— Eucharist —
— Eucharist —
as the Spirit hovers over the waters
and the knowledge of the glory of God
the good beginning brought to a beautiful end
that's only the beginning as
Jesus keeps His Word to finish what He started.
This is good news of great joy
in which the journey from
the cradle to the cross to the crown is
the only Story of God
in which vulnerability leads to victory
in which vulnerability leads to victory
because of the overcoming Christ
who has compassion
on the lonely, least, last, and lost
including me,
the great chief of sinners
who is greatly loved by Jesus our Savior.
Helpful Bible Project Videos + Post:
Videos
Special Note About Tattoos:
God used the skin of His Son
to communicate with us.
God also chose
to write a message on Jesus' skin.
to write a message on Jesus' skin.
The marks that Thomas touched
are the marks that put to death
the ultimate power of death
for every human soul.
The nail prints in His hands and feet,
the gash from the spear that
was thrust in His side,
the marks on His scalp
from the thorny crown,
and the field of furrowed flesh
on His back —
all are the tattoos* that illustrate
the depth of passion God has for us.
*Leviticus 19:28 reads: "Do not cut
your bodies for the dead or put tattoo
marks on yourselves. I am the Lord."
God was instructing His chosen people,
God was instructing His chosen people,
the new nation of Israel, to set
themselves apart. They were not to
imitate pagan religious practices
that used cuttings or tattoos to
honor the dead or as an offering
to false gods.
God forbade these markings because
they reflected a belief that the dead
could intercede (plead with gods
or advocate) for the living. To conclude,
as some do, that this passage prohibits
modern tattoos is to misread it.
+ Tattoos: Telling the Secrets of the Soul
pgs. 145, 162, 170
Many blessings of peace and presence,
Rev. Mike “Sully” Sullivan
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