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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: dunkmac74 on Monday 07 July 25 12:03 BST (UK)

Title: Victorian Tattoos?
Post by: dunkmac74 on Monday 07 July 25 12:03 BST (UK)

Good Morning All
Whilst receiving a gaol record for one of my ancestors i noticed in the description he had Tattoos on his hand a anchor and IHS ? As he was living in Cornwal ( but originally from Scotland) im guessing the anchor ink is self explanatary but im curious to know if the IHS stood for anything?
Any help or info would  be great many thanks
 Duncan

Title: Re: Victorian Tattoos?
Post by: KGarrad on Monday 07 July 25 12:22 BST (UK)

In the Latin-speaking Christianity of medieval Western Europe (and so among Catholics and many Protestants today), the most common Christogram became "IHS" or "IHC", denoting the first three letters of the Greek name of Jesus, ΙΗΣΟΥΣ, iota-eta-sigma, or ΙΗΣ.
(Wikipedia)

Title: Re: Victorian Tattoos?
Post by: dunkmac74 on Monday 07 July 25 21:25 BST (UK)

Thankyou so much for reply !!
Really appreciate you taking time out to answer my question you learn simething new everyday as they say 👌

Title: Re: Victorian Tattoos?
Post by: Wexflyer on Tuesday 08 July 25 08:31 BST (UK)

IHS is also commonly, maybe predominantly, thought of as the abbreviation of Iesus Hominum Salvator

Centerpiece of the arms of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits).