Panel: PILGRIMAGE: SOCIOLOGICAL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY



984.4 - THE SACRED TATTOO: IDENTITY AND PILGRIMAGE

AUTHORS:
Salerno R. (University of Palermo ~ Palermo ~ Italy)
Text:
Sacred tattoos and pilgrimage, though different, share the purpose of expressing devotion, identity, and spiritual connection. Both mark personal or collective journeys, whether physical or internal. Traditionally, pilgrimage involves traveling to sacred sites for healing or enlightenment, but in modern times, it has expanded to include bodily transformations. Sacred tattoos represent a "bodily pilgrimage," where the body becomes a sacred site symbolizing spiritual devotion and identity.The focus-question on my research is: How do sacred tattoos symbolize spiritual devotion and personal identity, and what role do they play in modern forms of pilgrimage and cultural expression?. Sacred tattoos, as a form of pilgrimage, reflect a shift from the traditional notion of pilgrimage as solely a territorial or spatial journey. Instead, the body becomes a sacred site in itself, marked with tattoos that signify spiritual devotion, protection, or identity. This shift reflects the evolving nature of sacred landscapes, moving from territorial pilgrimage to embodied spirituality. Tattoos, long associated with religious and protective significance, now serve as personal pilgrimages, visually narrating one's spiritual journey through sacred symbols and deities. Beyond devotion, they also function as cultural markers, connecting individuals to heritage and tradition. The intersection of pilgrimage and sacred tattoos highlights the human need for tangible spiritual expressions. Both practices provide a sense of belonging, identity, and connection in a fragmented world. As contemporary forms of sacred mobility, they act as transformative expressions of faith, reinforcing the continuous human search for meaning.