Tattoos are immensely popular these days, and this can be seen from the fact that there are millions of people who have tattoos made on various parts of their body. Just a few years ago, getting a tattoo was considered offensive and even rebellious in some cultures and settings. But today, this is not so. People, ranging from children to adults alike, are getting tattoos done, boosting the art of tattooing to a whole new level. And with this new-found popularity, tattoo designs and tattoo ideas are a dime a dozen. The latest in the never-ending trend of tattoos are scripture tattoos. In ancient cultures, tattoos were used to mark individuals according to their rank and place in certain tribes. Also, it was mostly men who were tattooed and not the women. This trend has changed in a huge way as time has passed, and today it is not surprising to see elaborate tattoos on women as well. In all this popularity, even groups who loathed the idea of getting themselves tattooed earlier, have started taking to tattoos. The best example is perhaps religious communities, where tattooing was taken as defacing the body, and was an explicit no-no. In fact, in scripture Leviticus 19:28, it says, "You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the LORD". Due to such beliefs, tattooing in religious sectors was relatively rare. However, this trend is changing, and in fact, there are even some who get scripture tattoos done on themselves, to memorialize a saying from the Bible, or to remind them of a particular verse of scripture. In this aspect, scripture tattoos have become popular, not only among the religious, but among people as a whole. Scripture Tattoos Design Ideas Previously, the most common type of religious tattoos that were seen were small cross tattoos, usually made at the base of the thumb, or on the inside of the forearm. Gradually, as religious tattoos become more accepted and common, larger and more elaborate tattoo designs came into being. These days, an intricate cross, starting from the upper arm and ending at the elbow, is a common sight. The commonness of Christian cross tattoos inspired people to think of different options, and scripture tattoos was one of the ways out. If you are looking to get a quote or a scripture from the bible tattooed, then here are some ideas for your tattoo.

• Scripture tattoo designs can be made with either the entire scripture tattooed on the body, or just the chapter and verse of the scripture in question. It is not uncommon to see an entire verse of scripture tattooed on the back or abdomen, and these may be more than the one line of scripture we usually see.
• As scripture tattoo designs usually consist of text, font choice and color play a huge role in these designs. The most common font used is the cursive font, though this may not suit all people. You can choose any font you want for your scripture tattoo design, but usually tattoos that have more text make use of a cursive font, while if you have just the verse and chapter inscribed, bolder fonts like Old English are also acceptable.
• Smaller phrases or verses can also be inscribed inside a cross tattoo, making for an innovative scripture tattoo idea. For people with space constraints, or for those who do want elaborate tattoos, a small cross and just the chapter and verse of the scripture in question can make for a very interesting scripture tattoo idea. This will also increase the curiosity quotient of the tattoo, making people look up the verse in question. For others, there are various designs that range from a simple scripture in a cross to much more elaborate tattoos depicting scenes from the bible to support the scripture tattoo in question.
• Another good scripture tattoo idea is getting a tattoo in Hebrew or another language. This not only will look good and increase curiosity, but will be something different from the usual tattoo. However, make sure that whatever you are choosing means something to you, and that you are not just picking up any scripture for a tattoo.
• Another common design is the praying hands tattoo design, and this in combination with a verse is a good and unique religious scripture tattoo idea.

So, as seen, depending on the size and the place you want your scripture tattoo, there are many designs available. With the availability of a huge plethora of bible scriptures, tattoos can be hard to decide. Using a scripture that means something to you is the only way to go. To give you a slight idea of what is done and what is not, here are some of the more popular scriptures that have been used as tattoos. Most Popular Bible Scriptures for Tattoos While religious scripture tattoos can be taken from any scripture, these are some of the famous bible scripture tattoos that have been used to immortalize scripture on a person's body. From these you can get an idea of what you may want to get tattooed.

• Thy Word is a Lamp Unto My Feet and a Light Unto My Path. ~ Psalm 119:105
• It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' ~ Matthew 4:4
• If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. ~ Matthew 21:22
• For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ~ John 3:16
• Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you". ~ Hebrew 13:5
• And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. ~ Ephesians 4:32
• Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned, forgive, and ye shall be forgiven. ~ Luke 6:37
• The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. ~ Psalm 23
• This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. ~ Psalms 118:24
• Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." ~ John 14:6
• Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. ~ 1 Corinthians 13:4-13
• I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. ~ Philippians 4:13
• Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. ~ Proverbs 3:5-6

These were some of the more often used verses for tattoos, though by no means is this a complete list. The bible is full of verses that can be used as scripture tattoos and listing them all out is not an option. As seen above, scripture tattoos can be pretty lengthy at times. If you particularly like a scripture and want to get it tattooed, but it is too lengthy, the option of paraphrasing it, or getting just a single sentence which covers the entire meaning can be a good idea. At the end of the day, scripture tattoos are a good way to get a meaningful tattoo on your body, something that you believe in, or something to keep you going when the road seems all uphill. However, to get that perfect scripture tattoo, a lot of research is needed, as there are many many options you can choose from. In conclusion, whether you choose bible scripture tattoos, or any other religious scripture tattoos, make sure that it indeed means something to you. Tattooing is a permanent art, and though tattoo removal is possible these days, it is a difficult and partial process at best. Visiting a tattoo parlor and talking with a tattoo artist can help you with the designs and the font selection for your scripture tattoo. And if you are one of those who still think this is too much, you can put faith in Leviticus 19:28 that says "You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the LORD".