Custom Tattoo

This tattoo has three parts, they represent three big influences in my life:

 

1. The Cross

 

For the past 33 years I have attended non-denominational churches. They never put much emphasis on the cross, as one Deacon put it, "Jesus is off the Cross, it was not the important part of the story". But I have always like the image of the cross to remind of the work Jesus did on our behalf. One of my favorite hymns is, "The Old Rugged Cross".

 

2. The Inscription

 

The acronym INRI represents the Latin inscription IESVS NAZARENVS REX IVDÆORVM (Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum), in English reads as "Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews". John 19:20 states that this was written in three languages: Hebrew, Latin and Greek and was put on the cross of Jesus. I am use to this acronym because I grew up in the Catholic Church, so it reminds me of Christ. It is usually on the upper section of the cross but it is a good transition from the "Rugged Cross" to the next section.

 

3. The Anchor

 

The anchor is a tie back to my Navy time. What most folks don't know is the Anchor symbol was used by early Christians as a hidden cross symbol to guard from persecution from the Romans and Greeks, In the Navy,the traditional Anchor tattoo was a symbol of Stability and being Well Grounded.

 

Josh, at Ancient Art in Hampton, drew this up for me after a conversation a few days ago. It has it all, I liked his design and went for it.

Done