I noticed an increase in these requests. Thank you! In the early 20th century, the Jerusalem cross also came to be used as a symbol of world evangelisation in Protestantism. Then the practice vanisheduntil now. We want to grow in the future. Etsys 100% renewable electricity commitment includes the electricity used by the data centers that host Etsy.com, the Sell on Etsy app, and the Etsy app, as well as the electricity that powers Etsys global offices and employees working remotely from home in the US. And what is the best way to schedule an appointment? It was used as the emblem and coat of arms of the Kingdom of Jerusalem from the 1280s. His wife Gabrielle joined him, and they work side by side. Bull Tattoo: A Symbol Of Strength, Fertility, Confidence, Stability, And Pride. Promotions, new products and sales. Ive never pushed for any of it. This symbol has a long history in the world of Christianity and also in the world of tattoos. Throughout history there have been many variations . Jerusalem Cross Ornaments reformationcreation (24) $8.00 WALL TATTOO e665 Skyline City - Jerusalem (Israel) Design 4 Namensaufkleber (229) $8.20 More colors Wall Decal Quote Wall Sticker Live out Loud by Day, Dream in Color by Night Wall Decal/Wall Words/Wall Transfer touchofbeautydesigns (2,314) $24.00 What happens here in the shop is almost like baptizing people. He starts by rubbing the stencil block with purple ink from carbon-copy papera transfer medium used worldwide by contemporary tattooers for decades, but prior to Wassims innovation, never used for pilgrimage stamps. This is the symbolism of the Jerusalem Cross. [13] The Jerusalem cross was chosen as the emblem of the Deutscher Evangelischer Kirchentag (German Evangelical Church Congress) in the 1950s, since the 1960s shown in a simplified form where the central Cross potent is replaced by a simple Greek cross. I also didnt want to become a tattooist, until something just hit me one day. Evidence of such tattoos dates back at least as far as the 8th century in Egypt and the 6th century in the Holy Land, where Procopius of Gaza wrote of tattooed Christians bearing designs of crosses and Christs name. Today Wassim Razzouk is the man behind the shop and the current family patriarch. Heres the video. Daily shipping from Germany! USD 106.25, USD 125.00 Razzouk: Not many Jews or Muslims come to get tattooed in our shop. They also have historical and cultural significance and easily customizable design. Noel Heavey, 54, from Ireland, never thought he would want a tattoo. Anton noted wistfully that he would be the last generation of tattoo artist in the . Copyright 2018 - 2021 Tattoo Art from the Heart All rights reserved | Hosting and development by MSP. The symbolism of the five-fold cross is variously given as the Five Wounds of Christ, Christ and the four evangelists, or Christ and the four quarters of the world. A carpenter would work as a carpenter, a builder would work as a builder, even during the pilgrimage. Luckily it only lasted for two years. Ten years ago, though, he went online and found an interview in which his father discussed the tattoo tradition. It . They dont want to become ambassadors only to advance their business. Your family has been in this business for 27 generations (28 with your sons). Do you think its your familys destiny to tattoo pilgrims? "Its something that you will never regret, because you are proud of it. Do you still model your tattoos after stamps from your collection? The Design of the Jerusalem Cross Also known as the Five-Fold Cross, or "cross-and-crosslets", Jerusalem crosses are a variant of the cross and consists of a large cross that is surrounded by four smaller Greek crosses - one in each of the quadrant formed by the larger cross. Got it! Jerusalem Cross Tattoo - Luckyfish, Inc. And Tattoo Santa . We're exploring the legendary story of Razzouk Tattoo, a family-owned tattoo shop in the heart of Old Jerusalem that's been gracing religious pilgrims with their beautiful and powerful. It finally hit me. Right now, we dont have American pilgrims because it is summer. The Razzouk family moved to Jerusalem back in the 16th century and settled in a small shop in the Christian quarter until they recently moved to a bigger parol where it is located today at 13 Greek Catholic Patriarchate St. Old City of Jerusalem. Credit: toritattoo.al. Media coverage just happened. However, Italians, Germans, Brits and other European pilgrims come during the summer. You had an opportunity to tattoo a lot of famous people. Catholic Cross Tattoo with Rosary. What other Christian symbols are popular among your clients? We have offers from all over the world to expand. Razzouk: It doesnt matter if they are celebrities, well-known or not. The variation possibilities are almost endless. Sale price: $199.00. Shipping calculated at checkout. We dont want to be commercial. The Jerusalem Cross is the pure pilgrimage sign. While on a spiritual pilgrimage in Jan/Feb 2022, we were honored to get inked at Razzouk's. [5] Similar cross designs on the obverse of coins go back to at least the Anglo-Saxon period.[6]. The majority of our work focuses on stamps, traditional and historic designs. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In some cultures, this design represents the Universes center, around which everything revolves. Update: Pics from another one of my pilgrimage groups. Now I have a constant reminder of my experience in the Holy Land, as well as the heritage and history of my faith in general. There are many variants to the design, which we call them Jerusalem crosses. For millennia, women adorned their daughters, and sometimes sons, with symbols of belonging and protection. I have been to Wassim 3 times during 3 separate trips to the Holy Land, and have had a wonderful experience. That would be an achievement of my life. Just like we already mentioned, this symbol has five crosses. CafePress brings your passions to life with the perfect item for every occasion. They discovered the tradition of tattooing Christian pilgrims with the Jerusalem Cross and not the Coptic Cross. [14], Heraldic symbol and Christian cross variant, The design with the crosslets as crosses potent is medieval, e.g. Jerusalem Cross Tattoo - Luckyfish, Inc. And Tattoo Santa . From $1.29. $22.99 $29.99. Wassim Razzouk . A simple blazon of or, a cross argent is documented by Matthew Paris as the arms of John de Brienne, who had been king of Jerusalem during 12101212, upon John's death in 1237. In the 21st century, tattoos have emerged as popular travel souvenirs, but Razzouk Ink offers a truly unique experiencea link to hundreds of years of history through a visceral transaction of bloodletting and pain. This cross also represents the combination of the Old Testament and the New Testament teachings. Otherwise, it could symbolize Christ and the two others who were crucified with him at Golgotha. Early tattoos self-identified indigenous Christians in the Middle East and Egypt. They would have to work with me for the next couple of years until they fully grasp the responsibility and are able to take over. [10], A banner with a variation of the Jerusalem cross was used at the proclamation of the Revolution on Mount Pelion Anthimos Gazis in May 1821 in the Greek War of Independence. It was the ultimate sign of your Christianity because you had to prove you are a Christian to enter a church. The St. Brelade Church first recorded the symbolism of five crosses representing the Five Wounds. It's the history of Jerusalem, the Cross of Jerusalem. Razzouk: Yes, I am ready! In Jerusalems Old City today, you can find a uniquely obscure historical relicthe sole surviving pilgrimage tattoo business, Razzouk Ink. A woman shows off her fresh tattoo done by artist Wassim Razzouk at his studio in Jerusalem's Old City November 27, 2017. In late medieval heraldry the Crusader's cross was used for various Crusader states. How does that make you feel? It was a black and red Jerusalem cross, made up of one central cross and four smaller ones, adorned with palm trees and the number 2017, representing his pilgrimage and the year his mother died. Just inside the Jaffa Gate in Jerusalems Old City, you can duck down the second side street to the left, as I did, finding respite from the beating sun and leaving the bustle of the crowded main square. Also, the red of the garnets represents the sacrifice of God for man. Visitors to the holy city are given a certificate of their visit to the city." In May 1938, the last of the emperors of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie, arrived in Jerusalem and of course getting a tattoo from the Razouq family was one of the things he did during his stay in the city. Yacoub became the sole practitioner of this service for the Coptic pilgrims who trekked to the Holy Land, particularly at Easter, to worship and mark their faith. Or mostly Christians? Anton took over tattooing from his father, with a steady enough stream of customers. What was the final factor that persuaded you to continue your familys calling? Razzouk: The Jerusalem Cross, because of its meaning. Required fields are marked *. Nowadays, tattoos are still ways in which people express their religious beliefs or spirituality. People who want to be part of this history but cant visit the Holy Land for a variety of reasons can experience our tradition. The Coptic language that we use today was derived from Hieroglyphics, to Hieratic, to Demotic then finally, into Coptic. One team of American archaeologists discovered the symbol in the hidden tomb of the first Christian King of Jerusalem. Later, as the faithful came to the Holy Land on pilgrimage, the practice expanded to offer these travelers permanent evidence of their devotion and peregrination. It is a heraldic cross and Christian cross variant consisting of a large cross potent surrounded by four smaller Greek crosses, one in each quadrant. The Jerusalem Cross is rich in symbolism and meaning and goes by many different names, including the Crusader's Cross and the "five-fold cross". I didnt force my children to go into the family business. Tripkovic: The Razzouk family has been tattooing for 27 generations, 28 with your sons. I took over at the right time because of the internet boom. 5 x Jerusalem Cross Tattoo in black. Jesus Cross Tattoo Carlo Maggi, a Venetian nobleman who visited Jerusalem and was made a knight of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre in the early 1570s, included the Jerusalem cross in his coat of arms. Wassim Razzouk: We are a Coptic Christian family. This long-married Christian couple went to Jerusalem earlier this year, and walked in the footsteps of Jesus. Razzouk: Our minimum price, for which you can get a nice Jerusalem Cross tattoo, is about $75. At about the same time, the Pizzigano chart uses it as the flag of Tbilisi (based on the latter example, the Crusader's cross was adopted as the flag of Georgia in 2004). Meaning of Jerusalem Cross Tattoos Tattoo Meanings 22/08/2021 This cross makes up the official emblem of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. By showing the tattooed cross on your hand wrist people knew you were a Christian. However, the majority of people who are interested in becoming ambassadors are actually faithful Christians, appreciating our familys tradition. Now, a durable purple guide holds fast to the skin while the image can be rendered permanently via machine. A comprehensive description of the historical technique comes from Reverend Henry Maundrell, a chaplain for the English Levant Companys office in Aleppo, Syria. Jovan Tripkovic: For 700 years the Razzouk family has been tattooing marks of faith. Despite hard times in the region, the Razzouk tattooing tradition has remained alive for 28 generations. The shop was almost closed for two years. We stayed in business for so many generations because of pilgrims. , All content The Catholic Traveler, LLC 2004 2022. I hope that our shop will be the most famous tattoo studio in the world. If you didnt know anything about the incredible, centuries-long history of the family who runs this particular shop, the signs tagline might cause you to do a double-take: Tattoo With Heritage Since 1300 it reads. Cross tattoos are a good reminder of spiritual connection, especially for people who've gone through hard timesboth physical and emotional. Pilgrims wouldnt come here for a couple of days and go back. [7], At about the same time, the cross of Jerusalem in gold on a silver field appears as the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Jerusalem in early armorials such as the Camden Roll. They are still very young: 21 and 19 years old. These tattoo designs show up in different cultures in history. More and more bishops, nuns and priests are not ashamed to say that they got a tattoo on their journey to the Holy Land. Wassim Razzouk. The Crusader cross is a heraldic cross with a cross potent in the center with four Greek crosses between each of its arms/in each of its quadrants. The business is renowned for its continued use of the Razzouks' centuries-old, hand-carved wooden stamps as stencils to guide the tattooist's hand. However, in Christianity, it represents the event of the crucifixion of Jesus, an important moment of the religions history. Official Razzouk Tattoo Apparel Now Available Here. The main body of the tattoo is made up of bold lines depicting the form and nature of a fierce, strong lion. Others offered representations of the Virgin Mary, St.. Several stamps were based upon the Jerusalem cross: a cross with arms of equal lengths, with smaller crosses in each of its quarters. Cross Tattoos over a globe. Roman emperors had utilized a globe topped with the goddess of victory. "My two religions," he jokes. From $1.34. This Jerusalem cross represents Christ's command to spread the Gospel around the world, a mission that started in Jerusalem. For 700 years the Razzouk family has been tattooing marks of faith. This is the reason why it is already a normal thing to many. From $1.61. Throughout history, it has symbolized spirituality and power. My father wasnt the best tattoo artist in the world, and thats probably the reason why I didnt want to do it. Knight with weapons 1096 - 1099 First Crusade I tattooed (American evangelical) Pastor Matt Chandler and his wife. While in that fuzzy zone that emerges from endorphins as a tattoo progresses, I channeled the many travelers who have endured a similar fate. I dont want them to just think of this as a business. Crosses are extremely popular tattoos, especially because of their deep and personal meanings. The artists use centuries-old stamps as stencils, which they then tattoo over using a tattoo gun. They see the brand, respect, appreciation and recognition, and they want to be part of it. One such cross which has an important meaning for Christians is the Jerusalem cross. The journey from Egypt, Europe or England used to take months. Razzouk has been around for 700 years! The central cross represents Jerusalem as the center of the world. Blending modern technology with tradition, the Razzouk family uses the Internet to draw clients to their business in a place that is sacred to Christians, Jews and Muslims. It is traditional for pilgrims who visit the Holy Land to get the Jerusalem Cross tattooed on, as a mark of attainment, to show that they have completed the pilgrimage. To enable personalized advertising (like interest-based ads), we may share your data with our marketing and advertising partners using cookies and other technologies. After I tattooed them, I cant tell you how many people came to my shop because of their following. I never expected to one day get the opportunity to follow in their footsteps and receive my own. Tattoo artist, Wassim Razzouk, who is continuing his family's tradition of inking Christian pilgrims with ancient tattoos, completes a tattoo on a customers arm at his studio in Jerusalem's Old City November 27, 2017 - REUTERS/Amir Cohen . Tripkovic: What is the most meaningful tattoo to you? It is an iconic landmark, attracting tourists from all corners of the Earth, because the Razzouk family has been tattooing since the year 1300. Are you ready to pass the torch to the 28th generation? So this happened yesterday during Orthodox Holy Week in Jerusalem, at Razzouk Tattoo, the Coptic ink shop in the Old City. Modern designs aside, the pilgrimage tattoos are what compel people to travel hundreds, even thousands of miles to the Razzouks shop. The gold and silver were also connected to Psalms 68:13, which mentions a "dove covered in silver, and her feathers with yellow gold". Although Wassims grandfather Yacoub pioneered the use of machines for pilgrimage tattoos, Wassim has perfected a technique that achieves a look that mimics what the blocks look like when printed on paperhe inscribes a first pass over the lines of the stencil, then he goes back and retraces every line, adding graphic weight and ensuring a bold, black motif visible from a distance. Tripkovic: Ive noticed that the most common tattoo is the Jerusalem Cross. Directly to your inbox. The Razzouks began their craft in Egypt, where fellow Coptic Christians traditionally mark their wrists with a cross. This offers significant benefit over the previous techniques, which would dip the block in stamp-pad ink or powdered charcoala fugitive transfer pattern subject to smearing and disappearing during the tattooing process. The cross of Jerusalem is sometimes seen as a representation of the five sacred wounds of Christ. Got it! Jesus sacrificed himself for our sins on the cross. 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