Editing Tattoo (section)

== Religious views ==
{{Main|Religious perspectives on tattooing}}

[[Ancient Egyptians]] used tattoos to show dedication to a deity, and the tattoos were believed to convey divine protection. In [[Hinduism]], Buddhism, and Neopaganism, tattoos are accepted.<ref name="ferguson">{{cite web |last1=Ferguson |first1=Matthew |title=Opinions on tattoos differ by religion |url=http://websterjournal.com/2018/10/31/opinions-on-tattoos-differ-by-religion/ |website=Webster Journal |date=31 October 2018 |access-date=13 April 2019}}</ref> Southeast Asia has a tradition of protective tattoos variously known as ''sak yant'' or [[Yantra tattooing|yantra tattoos]] that include Buddhist images, prayers, and symbols. Images of the Buddha or other religious figures have caused controversy in some Buddhist countries when incorporated into tattoos by Westerners who do not follow traditional customs regarding respectful display of images of Buddhas or deities.

[[Judaism]] generally prohibits tattoos among its adherents based on the commandments in [[Leviticus 19]]. Jews tend to believe this commandment only applies to Jews and not to [[gentiles]]. However, an increasing number of young Jews are getting tattoos either for fashion, or an expression of their faith.<ref name="torgovnivk">{{cite news |last1=Torgovnick |first1=Kate |title=For Some Jews, It Only Sounds Like 'Taboo' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/17/fashion/17SKIN.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=17 July 2008 |access-date=17 August 2018}}</ref>
[[File:Jesus is So Cool.jpg|thumb|[[Christianity|Christian]] couple with matching cross symbol tattoos]]
There is no specific teaching in the [[New Testament]] prohibiting tattoos. Most [[Christianity|Christian]] denominations believe that the [[Old Covenant]] ceremonial laws in Leviticus were [[Abrogation of Old Covenant laws|abrogated]] with the coming of the [[New Covenant]]; that the prohibition of various cultural practices, including tattooing, was intended to distinguish the [[Israelites]] from neighbouring peoples for a limited period of time, and was not intended as a universal law to apply to the gentiles for all time. Many [[Coptic Christians]] in Egypt have a cross tattoo on their right wrist to differentiate themselves from Muslims.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.oxfordhandbooks.com/view/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195137989.001.0001/oxfordhb-9780195137989-e-30?rskey=8UTz0Y&result=1 |title=The Coptic Community |first1=Juan E. |last1=Campo |first2=John |last2=Iskander |date=26 October 2006 |doi=10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195137989.001.0001 |isbn=978-0-19-513798-9}}</ref> However, some [[Evangelical]] and [[Christian fundamentalism|fundamentalist]] [[Protestant]] denominations believe the commandment applies today for Christians and believe it is a [[sin]] to get a tattoo.

Most scholars of [[Sunni Islam]] consider tattoos to be [[haram]] for Sunni Muslims.<ref name=":8" /> Some scholars of [[Shia Islam]] believe Shia Islam does not prohibit tattooing.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |first=Pia |last=Velasco |title=My Muslim Culture Says Tattoos Are Haram-But Are They? |url=https://hellogiggles.com/beauty/are-tattoos-haram/ |access-date=26 April 2022 |website=[[HelloGiggles]] |date=23 March 2021 |language=en}}</ref> Some Shia Muslims, including in Lebanon and Iran, have tattoos with religious themes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ammar |first=Hassan |date=2016-07-29 |title=Lebanon Shiite tattoos |url=https://apimagesblog.com/blog/2016/07/29/lebanon-shiite-tattoos |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=Associated Press |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mahamad |first=Ata |date=March 6, 2024 |title=Ink of Faith: Rising Tattoo Trend in Iran Amid Challenges |url=https://iranwire.com/en/features/126118-ink-of-faith-rising-tattoo-trend-in-iran-amid-challenges/ |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=IranWire |language=en}}</ref>