All of the sudden, a 70-year-old grandma, who always told her children or grandchildren not to get a tattoo, is sitting in my studio getting one. A small shop in the heart of Jerusalem's walled Old City offers Christian pilgrims indelible memories of their visit to the holy city: tattoos with religious designs unchanged for centuries. That was the sign of their Christianity. The artists use centuries-old stamps as stencils, which they then tattoo over using a tattoo gun. We would wait for them to call us, and when they were accepted, we asked them to come to our shop at least a week and spend time with us. We have been asked many times by people from all over the world about getting our tattoos. Tripkovic: Where do your customers come from? God did not prohibit Christians from getting tattoos. I want them to see themselves as custodians of this tradition rather than just tattoo artists. Wassim has developed new techniques for inscribing traditional pilgrimage tattoos faster and better. My ancestors were always in association with the church therefore it might be they learned this practice from there, says Wassim Razzouk, the current family tattooer. I never expected to one day get the opportunity to follow in their footsteps and receive my own. One team of American archaeologists discovered the symbol in the hidden tomb of the first Christian King of Jerusalem. For 700 years, Christian pilgrims have sought out the Razzouk family for their specialist skills. A 'cross potent' is a cross with arms that have horizontal crossbars at the end (think of a cross made of four capital 'T' letters). Regular price: $299.00. We should not confuse it with the Lorraine cross, because it is also known as Jerusalem cross. Razzouk: Usually people who come to the shop to get tattooed are ready for them and have already passed this stage of thinking. Because of that, the cross is the reminder of eternal love, redemptive power, and saving the grace of God. Finally, in 2007, after long persuasion, you decided to step up and take over the studio. It was the ultimate sign of your Christianity because you had to prove you are a Christian to enter a church. 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. The Razzouks began their craft in Egypt, where fellow Coptic Christians traditionally mark their wrists with a cross. Right now, we dont have American pilgrims because it is summer. Iceland in Winter: Natural Wonders & Ancient Legends, Vietnam: A Culinary Adventure from Hanoi to Saigon, Antiques and Their Afterlives: Osteological Specimens, Accidental Discoveries: A Celebration of Historical Mistakes, Monster of the Month w/ Colin Dickey: St. Foy, Mindful Mixology: Making Non-Alcoholic Cocktails During Dry January With Derek Brown, Designing Immersive Gatherings With Zach Morris of Third Rail Projects, Raising the Bar: Chocolate's History, Art, and Taste With Sophia Contreras Rea, Once Upon a Time: Fairy Tale Writing With Anca Szilgyi, How the Discovery of a Unique Sign Language Reconnected a Linguist With Her Past, How a Groundbreaking Pastry Chef Bakes Outside the Lines. It consists of a large cross potent that four smaller Greek crosses surround, one in each quadrant. Wassim Razzouk (center) with his sons Anton (left) and Nizar (right). This is one of the most important scenes in the Christian religion. I didnt like the way my father was doing it. Razzouk: On the way from Egypt, they stopped in Bethlehem for a bit. The smaller ones represent his wounds on the feet and hands. Jovan Tripkovic: For 700 years the Razzouk family has been tattooing marks of faith. (15% off), Ad vertisement from shop KNOTFindsTUTORials, Ad vertisement from shop LookingGlassTrading, Keep collections to yourself or inspire other shoppers! A comprehensive description of the historical technique comes from Reverend Henry Maundrell, a chaplain for the English Levant Companys office in Aleppo, Syria. Wassim revitalized and reinvented the business, expanding beyond traditional pilgrimage tattoos to other genres. But don't worry: the cross design is as timeless as the sea. Tripkovic: Your sons Anton and Nizar are deeply involved in the family business. They are with either the four crosslets in the form of Crosses potent or conversely with the central one in the form of a plain Greek cross. [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. . The four smaller crosses then represent the wounds on Jesus's hands and feet made by the nails that were used to fasten him to the cross. The Jerusalem cross is an attractive choice for the periodic element because such a choice makes the frequency selective surface less sensitive to angle of incidence. $3.99 $5.99. 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. 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 Throughout history there have been many variations . 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. Sometimes, a cross with a name is used as a personal way to mourn for departed kin and friends. Noel Heavey, 54, from Ireland, never thought he would want a tattoo. But in fact, at the thriving Razzouk Ink near the Jaffa Gate, the Razzouk family of tattoo artists are continuing a tradition of issuing ancient signs of Christian pilgrimage that has gone on since the Crusades.. Thank you! Its an honor for them to come to the Holy Land, to the studio and experience the history, tradition and the energy of our shop. Tripkovic: Some Christians think tattoos are evil, idolatry or forbidden as marks on the body. And what do you say to them? Some of the shop's designs date back to Crusader times, but Razzouk can customise ancient patterns to fit client preferences. Religion Unplugged56 BroadwayNew York, NY 10004, Religion Unplugged is a production of The Media Project and a member of the Institute for Nonprofit NewsEIN: 83-0461425site design by Peter Freeby, After that he made a video explaining why he got a tattoo, I also tattooed the famous British journalist and BBC presenter Fern Britton, we started the website with the online store, Sarah Abrevaya Stein and Aomar Boum, Secondary Feature, WWII, Nazi Germany, Tunisia, refugees, racism, nazism, fascism, eugenics, nationalism, North Africa, Africa, Christianity, Analysis, Catholicism, North America, Politics, Religion, Clemente Lisi, Catholic church, USCCB, analysis, LGBTQ, priests, clergy sexual abuse, immigration, politics, President Joe Biden, Democrats, Republicans, Archbishop Timothy Broglio, COVID-19, vaccines, pandemic, Homosexuality, Secondary feature, Secondary Feature, secondary feature. Will always treasure the unique, meaningful tattoos. Or mostly Christians? The gold and silver were also connected to Psalms 68:13, which mentions a "dove covered in silver, and her feathers with yellow gold". The "cross-and-crosslets" or Tealby pennies minted under Henry II of England during 11581180 have the "Jerusalem cross" on the obverse, with the four crosslets depicted as decussate (diagonal). Your sons are getting their foot in the world of tattooing. In the heart of Jerusalem's Old City, Christian Palestinian tattoo artist Wassim Razzouk is carrying on his family's centuries old heritage of tattooing pilgrims to the Holy Land, a tradition . Or you can choose to have your item shipped via Express shipping which usually takes 3-10 days for arrival, and it offers tracking options. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. Young U.S. Evangelicals Experience Crisis of Faith on Israel, The German Priest Who Celebrates Christmas in Jerusalem With Jews, Sweet Jesus! There are variants to the design, also known as "Jerusalem cross", with either the four crosslets also in the form of Crosses potent, or conversely with the central cross, also in the form of a plain Greek cross. After the conflict cooled off, the Razzouks returned to Jerusalem, where they alone became the primary custodians of this craft. Copyright 2018 - 2021 Tattoo Art from the Heart All rights reserved | Hosting and development by MSP. They are road signs that mark the spiritual journey of a person. For 700 years the Razzouk family has been tattooing marks of faith. Wassim Razzouk . The siege lasted five weeks. People started to email us asking for blessings to do a tattoo modeled after our designs in their countries. When he was in the Holy Land, he came to our studio and got a tattoo. However, the large one is the wound from the soldiers spear. I didnt force my children to go into the family business. The same Jerusalem family has been tattooing pilgrims with Crosses and other religious symbols for hundreds of years, testament to the importance of the ancient ritual. But now these people are immigrants and come to Israel with their American, Australian or Canadian passports. Jirius, great-grandfather to the current generation of family tattooers at Razzouk Ink, settled in Jerusalems Old City in the late 19th century, bringing knowledge of tattooing and a set of antique stencil blocks that bore the traditional designs, one dating as far back as 1749. For millennia, women adorned their daughters, and sometimes sons, with symbols of belonging and protection. Do you think its your familys destiny to tattoo pilgrims? Razzouk has been around for 700 years! Others offered representations of the Virgin Mary, St.. 78; the same ms. also has the Jerusalem cross in a silver field (. 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 . Thats why it can sometimes be present with the name Crusaders Cross. This is the reason why it is already a normal thing to many. We reply on a daily basis to our clients, and we schedule them quickly. People who want to be part of this history but cant visit the Holy Land for a variety of reasons can experience our tradition. This ancient practice was used to show status or also tribal affinity, or to decorate the body. Upon entering Razzouk Ink, you will discover a blend of stone walls and exposed beams lending antique character to the space, while the sterile tattoo parlor hides behind a wall. Occasionally, tattooists from around the world would send a message expressing their desire to become ambassadors. Tripkovic: Years ago you started the ambassadors program. Please. It actually strengthens and spreads this tradition all over the world. "The stamp means a lot to me as it has touched so many people in its life," says Wassim. Bull Tattoo: A Symbol Of Strength, Fertility, Confidence, Stability, And Pride. Twenty years ago, as a budding tattoo scholar, I first read about the adventures of Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land and the indelible souvenirs they had inscribed under their skin. However, people dont want to steal our designs. I would like to see my children grow more in the business. June 22, 2019. You had an opportunity to tattoo a lot of famous people. Jerusalem Cross Tattoo - Luckyfish, Inc. And Tattoo Santa . Shipping calculated at checkout. Sale price: $199.00. How does that make you feel? Despite hard times in the region, the Razzouk tattooing tradition has remained alive for 28 generations. Also, the red of the garnets represents the sacrifice of God for man. Family lore dates the Razzouks involvement in this cultural practice to 1300, starting first in Egypt among Coptic (Orthodox) Christians and later in the Holy Land for Christians from a variety of backgrounds. Wassim Razzouk with his parents; his father Anton is now retired from the tattoobusiness. The variation possibilities are almost endless. 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. These tattoo designs show up in different cultures in history. Its the weight of responsibility! During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was very difficult for us because there were no tourists. (15% off), Sale Price USD 106.25 Turning off personalized advertising opts you out of these sales. Learn more in our Privacy Policy., Help Center, and Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy. Razzouk: We still use old stamps! Join us for a daily celebration of the worlds most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places. Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection. Its not easy to be a Palestinian Christian in a country where you have the Jewish State that discriminates between Jews and non-Jews and on the other side you have Muslim Arabs who consider Christians to be pagans and frown on them. 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. 2023 Atlas Obscura. Like other pilgrims, my family brought the profession with them, which was the art of tattooing. Its symbolism is the Five Wounds of Christ, Christ and the four quarters of the world, or the four evangelists. There is a historiographical tradition that Peter the Great flew a flag with a variant of the Jerusalem cross in his campaign in the White Sea in 1693. It is an iconic landmark, attracting tourists from all corners of the Earth, because the Razzouk family has been tattooing since the year 1300. This long-married Christian couple went to Jerusalem earlier this year, and walked in the footsteps of Jesus. After a long day in the Old City my wife and I went the Razzouk shop and I got a Celtic Cross tattoo on my left inside bicep, close to my heart. Razzouk: Designs that are very popular are the Crucifixion of Jesus, the Resurrection of Jesus, St. George slaying the dragon, Archangel Michael fighting the devil and the Angel of the Apocalypse. All Razzouk designs including tattoos, pictures and images are the legal and intellectual property of the Razzouk family. Most of our designs are within the range of $75 to $150. 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. Where will the Razzouk tattoo brand be in the future? Tattoo marks the cross: Christian tradition endures in Jerusalem Once used as a mark to differentiate Christians, tattoos are being reclaimed as a display of faith for those on pilgrimage. They would stay in the Holy Land, work here and save money for the journey back home. This way, they will have a guaranteed spot. Wassim Razzouk tattooing the classic Jerusalem Cross motif known to look exactly like this since at least the early 1600s. In some instances, a new generation would look down upon the tattooing craft, choosing a more socially respected career. A man walks past the studio of tattoo artist, Wassim Razzouk, who is continuing his family's tradition of inking Christian pilgrims with ancient tattoos, in Jerusalem's Old City November 27, 2017. Inside the World's Only Surviving Tattoo Shop For Medieval Pilgrims. Several other families tattooed in the Holy Land at the time, including Armenian competitors in Jerusalem, with other practices in Bethlehem and Jaffa. Official Razzouk Tattoo Apparel Now Available Here. pic.twitter.com/Lc3HDY40qx. The artists use centuries-old stamps as stencils, which they then tattoo over using a tattoo gun. Yes, we still have original stamps! This design is rich in meaning and symbolism, and it goes by many different names, such as Crusader's Cross. Razzouk: I think it was in 2015 or 2016 I really cant remember. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 10 x Jerusalem Cross in black - No china production! Jerusalem Cross Tattoo - Luckyfish, Inc. And Tattoo Santa . According to the findings of scholars, the big cross in the middle represents the power of Christianity. I dont know why people like to put it this way. Many people from Brazil, Mexico and Portugal followed Father Mike Schmitz and got a tattoo in our studio. Haaretz Daily Newspaper Ltd. All Rights Reserved. tattoo practices was already ."einaetzet . Wassim set about learning the business from his father (now retired) and arranged for mentorship by modern tattooers on new techniques and contemporary health and safety standards. It was used to mark Christians, so Christians can know and identify each other with this little cross. Come check out our giant selection of T-Shirts, Mugs, Tote Bags, Stickers and More. One might argue that this new initiative might dilute your brand. The Jerusalem cross is a heraldic design, as well as a Christian cross variant. During the pandemic, we started the website with the online store. Early tattoos self-identified indigenous Christians in the Middle East and Egypt. Tripkovic: Razzouk studio prides itself on providing affordable tattoos. 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