Traditional Sacred Heart Tattoo

The Sacred Heart comes from Catholic devotion to the heart of Jesus, shown as a heart encircled by a crown of thorns and topped with flames, and often a cross. In tattoos it is traditionally associated with faith, devotion and sacrifice — a love that endures suffering.

Many people wear it as a religious symbol. Others choose it for its look and for a wider meaning of deep love, loyalty and endurance. Paired with roses it adds love and beauty, with a banner it becomes a tribute to someone you love, and held in hands it points to prayer and devotion. As with most traditional tattoos, the meaning varies from wearer to wearer.

Because the design comes from Catholic art, it carries that meaning whether or not you intend it, so it is worth knowing the original before you choose it.

• Classic sacred heart — a red heart with flames on top and a crown of thorns around it.
• Sacred heart with cross — a small cross rising from the flames.
• Sacred heart with rays — rays of light radiating from behind the heart.
• Sacred heart and roses — the heart framed by red roses and green leaves.
• Sacred heart with banner — room for a name, a date or a word lettered by your artist.
• Hands holding a sacred heart — open hands cupped around the heart.
• Black and grey sacred heart — the same bold outlines with grey shading instead of color.

The sacred heart is a tall, symmetrical design, so it sits well on the chest, the forearm, the upper arm, the shoulder and the calf. Designs with roses or banners are wider and suit the chest, shoulder or thigh. The flames and thorns are the hallmark of the design, so keep them bold and well spaced — very small sacred hearts can lose the thorns as the tattoo ages, especially below about 6 cm (2.5 in).

When you bring a flash design to your artist, they will adjust the size and composition to fit your body and redraw the stencil. That is normal and part of the craft.