Tattoo Designs - Sacred Heart As A Symbol Of Strength

The heart is the great and universal symbol for love. The constant and overriding message from Christ was one of love. The image of the Sacred Heart speaks to us of this love. In that image we have a heart burning with love for us. It says, "I can give you no more than my whole heart". There is no more anyone can give. But it says more than this.

 It speaks of openness, acceptance and forgiveness - all the attributes of a loving and generous heart. It is a heart inviting us to come with our fears, our worries and our needs. It is a symbol of great strength that has supported, consoled and given hope to millions. It is a strength tattoo design for those who wear it and for many who look upon it.

 Why The Sacred Heart

 The images of the cross, of Christ and of his mother and the saints help give the faithful the spiritual strength they need. From them they can derive comfort, strength and hope. Special prayers and observances that help in devotion to God and to those close to him generally accompany the images. Finally, they all remind us of God's eternal presence..

 Devotion to the Heart of Jesus goes back to the early days of Christianity but it was not until the 11th and 12th centuries that devotion was practiced to the Sacred Heart. This happened mainly in religious congregations. It was after visions of Christ to Margaret Mary Alocoque in the 17th century that the Sacred Heart became known and spread among the faithful. Christ asked her to spread this devotion and it has become one of the most popular and best-known devotions in the Church.

 Symbolism Of The Sacred Heart

 The image of the Sacred Heart is often drawn as a flaming, bleeding heart radiating with divine light, pierced by the lance, surrounded by a crown of thorns and surmounted by a cross. It can also be drawn as a heart in Christ's open bosom with his hands pointing to the wounds he suffered. In his hands are the wounds of the crucifixion.

 It reminds us of the unconditional love he has for humanity and the suffering and death he was prepared to endure for us. The fire reminds us of a heart burning with love for us, a divine love, which can transform us. We are drawn into that all-enveloping love so that we can return it by loving Christ through his heart. His heart speaks to our heart.

 The love he offered us was rejected and so we have a bleeding heart, the cross, a crown of thorns and, in some images, a broken heart.

 By wearing a Sacred Heart tattoo you are making a statement of faith. You are sending a message of power and strength that you are sharing Christ's great love for humanity. You are gaining strength from what it symbolizes and you are sharing that strength with others.