Question:
Answer:
The Old Testament law strictly forbade tattoos. This was because in the surrounding peoples these marks were related to the worship of other gods. Generally, Christian culture has not included the use of tattoos in worship or as adornment. There have been certain exceptions; for example, among the Copts of Egypt and among the Ethiopian Christians, very small cross tattoos were drawn on the finger or forehead. This was in order to make apostasy from the Faith less likely, since it would always be evident that the person so tattooed was a Christian.
This being said, very moderate use of tattoos has not been regarded as evil—for example, with sailors. The current practice of large tattoos that cover principal parts of the body is wrong, however, since it is a simple truth that the human body already represents the beauty and the designs of God, and our adornment of our bodies should never replace their natural appearance and meaning. Thus St. Paul rails against exaggerated hairstyles and jewelry in women. Our body is not a billboard to advertise our interests but a way of reflecting the glory of God.
Of course, those who have been tattooed in this fashion should not be judged harshly. Their case is unfortunate, however, since they have an indelible mark they may later regret and which would be painful and even disfiguring to remove. So my advice is not to get a tattoo; but if you do, let it be in a place and of a size that you can ordinarily cover with clothing. And, of course, it should not represent anything immoral or irreverent.
In my opinion, a tattoo may be more inappropriate on a woman than on a man, although I don’t think it particularly appropriate in any case.