Cross Drawings: Ever Evolving Images

Cross drawings are as old as time. They have been around even before Christ and Christianity. The cross symbolizes life, immortality,union of the heavens and earth and the sun and stars.

It's no wonder so many people select this image as a tattoo. It is arguably the most widely used image in both ancient and modern tattoos. Throughout history each culture has reinvented and redesigned this sacred image leaving us with many different versions.

There are many variations of cross drawings which I will display below. Again as with tattoos and other drawings, personal taste and style rules all. The versions below are the very basics - the template from which to work from.

"Each cross was used for it own purpose and had its own meaning as well."

It can be rather difficult to explain how to draw these images as many have subtle curves and lines. The best method I know to learn to draw them is to just be exposed to the different versions.

Different types of Crosses

The most common drawings include the long thick symmetrical designs that resemble flames and pointed spears that most assimilate with tribal tattoos.

Latin
The most popular and widely recognized all of the versions.

Greek
Perhaps the easiest to draw. It is like a plus sign. Suggest Christian Church. It is also the basis for the Swastika.

St Anthony's
It is shaped like the Greek letter Tau and is often referred to as a Tau Cross. It looks like a very curvy letter "T"

St. Andrew's
Resembling an "X". Created from tradition stating that Saint Andrew himself was bound and requested the "X" shape for not being worthy of the same type of cross Christ was crucified on.

Maltese
Was used on flags used by the Knights of St. John during the Crusades. It is similar to the Greek cross but with flayed ends. Also referred to as Pattee Cross

Celtic: Resembling a Latin/Christian cross but having a circle at the intersection

Ankh: Used in Egyptian art and mythology as a symbol of life. It is now used as the symbol for Female. It resembles a Greek/Latin cross with a loop shape proportionally as big at the top.

Fleury: Perhaps the most common one that I have seen around growing up in New Orleans. It resembles the Latin Cross with Fleur de Lis at the tips. Represents flowers and has the appearance of horn or crowns.

Patriarchal: Looks like a Latin cross with a Greek cross combined at the top of it. It has two crossbars toward the top.

Swastika: Most iconically known as the symbol of Nazi Germany. Still widely used in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. It is an equilateral cross with arms bent at right angles. It can be right facing or left facing. Ironically a mark made on persons and things to denote good luck.

Calvary: Basically a Latin cross mounted on three steps. The steps represent in descending order Faith,Hope and Love.

Tip: All of the cross drawings represent certain ideas and evoke certain moods. If being used in a tattoo design or any other significant image those things must be considered.

Practice,Practice,Practice

Obviously in creating tattoos accuracy will be key. The hardest part of drawing them is drawing the lines straight and the curves cleanly.

"Using stencils for the curves and ruler for the straight lines is almost necessary to create a clean smooth design"

I would suggest printing out the different cross examples here so that you can have a reference of them when creating new designs. Most cross drawings will incorporate other elements as part of the overall design.

Having a quick reference sheet can be key to coming up with a design while staying true to the specific cross desired. Also having a quick history of each will help when incorporating other design elements.

There is your quick primer of the different cross drawings out there. Each can get extremely elaborate depending on the artist but the heart and basic design of each will remain. You can get a good idea of the the different designs out there at Tattoo Johnny. They have one of the largest databases of quality designs that I have found on the net so far.

As always have fun and Keep it Simple!