Sacred and Profane Tattoos

From at least the fifteenth century, pilgrims visiting Loreto had their hands and forearms tattooed with crosses, images of the Virgin Mary, saints, pierced hearts, skulls, anchors, Christograms and other sacred and popular symbols. These permanent marks became memories of the journey, professions of faith, signs of protection and visible testimonies of pilgrimage.

In 1889, Italian writer and folklorist Caterina Pigorini Beri documented this disappearing custom, preserving nearly one hundred designs once used by the traditional tattooists of Loreto.

This expanded and annotated edition goes beyond the original historical account to explore the origins, iconography and symbolism of the Loreto tattoos, examining their relationship with Christian pilgrimage, popular devotion and the circulation of sacred images between shrines and cultures.

The book includes the historic tattoo designs together with explanations of their symbols and religious meaning, offering a visual journey through an almost forgotten chapter in the history of European tattooing.

A book for tattoo artists, historians, researchers, collectors and anyone fascinated by sacred art, pilgrimage traditions, folk religion and the ancient history of tattooing.

Before tattoos became a modern form of self-expression, pilgrims were already carrying the memory of their journeys on their skin.