faith symbolism

– Coptic Christians in Egypt wear a cross tattoo on their wrist as a distinctive mark of their faith and community belonging.
– Girgis Ghobrial, an electrical engineer and tattooist, has been applying the tattoo to Copts for over 23 years.
– Ghobrial operates from a shop in the St. Simon Monastery in the Muqattam Mountains east of Cairo.
– The St. Simon Monastery is located in ‘Garbage City’, a community of Coptic Christians who work as trash collectors and recycle over 90% of waste collected.
– Ghobrial charges $4 US for a cross tattoo and $25 US for more elaborate tattoos, with all proceeds donated to the monastery.
– Ghobrial ensures cleanliness by replacing needles for each new job.
– Local youth in the area often get tattoos as part of the local culture, particularly in poorer areas, and usually choose crosses or images of saints.
– Local priests do not provide any special encouragement for or against tattoos.
– The tattoo booth at the monastery indicates an official acceptance of the practice.
– The myth that people who have tattoos cannot donate blood is false.
– After a tattoo has fully healed, which usually takes around 3 to 4 weeks, individuals can donate blood.
– Customizing wrist cross tattoo designs is popular among people as it allows for personalization and reflection of meaning.
– Black ink is traditionally used for cross tattoos, but artists have introduced variations with different colors and designs.
– Red ink can be used to create more attractive and eye-catching tattoo designs.
– White ink cross tattoos are unique and give a different outlook, and are popular among both males and females.
– White ink tattoos look extraordinary, brighten up the skin, and glow in the dark or under black light.
– White ink tattoos require more attention and care than traditional tattoos, and finding an experienced tattoo artist who works with white ink is recommended.
– Colorful variations of cross tattoos on the wrist are available, allowing for customization with favorite colors.