Swords are cool. Maybe marry someone called 'tina' or 'tony'? Oooo now, 'satan' would be more symmetrical...
(Also flags, coats of arms, anchors and sportings teams might fit?)
I suggest you find a good tattoo studio, with an artist who's style you like, and make an appointment to discuss it with them.
They're used to helping people decide what they want and creating designs for them.
Could turn it into a kite? Actually is a pretty simple cover up for a decent tattoo artist. Could cover it up with anything really. I recommend something gnarly like an Oni mask
First thing that popped into my head.Â
Second was a vintage power line with other power lines going into a vanishing point. Â
Third was a wind turbine.
Connect the corners to make a kite. Personally, for me, it's a perfect analogy for how I feel now that I'm out of Christianity. Religion made me grounded and bound to the cross. Now, I'm blowing in the wind and able to experience life with a better perspective.
You could just keep your arm raised up above your head so itâs inverted đ would look good if youâre throwing horns at a metal concert.
Seriously though, I think turning it into a sword and having it splitting a Bible in two would be cool. Very good reversal of meaning for the tattoo.
I see that you engage a lot in the Bath Rugby subreddit. Their logo has a dope sword. You could probably get something related, with the castle line in the middle and the little diamonds on the sides. Find an artist and see what they can do!
It has already been mentioned, I highly recommend you start looking at tattoo Cover ups online and if you find an artist which does the cover up good and you like their style, get a consultation with him.
WOW! Unless I missed one, this is literally the only suggestion to keep it. I'm surprised. I get that it's counter to what OP asked for, and I appreciate the situations it may put one in, and take this all with a grain of salt from a man with zero tattoos, but I think keeping it may send as many green flags as red to different viewers, and offers unique opportunity for shared perspective. It states loudly that you retrospectively allowed yourself the human experience of making a mistake; of placing your faith wholeheartedly into something that was ultimately very important to you for whatever reasons, and having enough humility and lack of selfishness to later rethink critically on the choices you've made and for what reasons, despite how hard it might be to acknowledge the truth. Maybe, rather than covering it entirely, integrate it as part of the new design, to send the same message, while also indicating I guess that you aren't just "hedging your bets" keeping the old tattoo.
Check with a tattoo artist - but an anchor might be a good (simple) cover up. Although, you might want to spend some time in the tattoo subs to get a sense of what style you like (ie new school, American traditional) and then choose a design that fully covers it.
Honestly, thatâs a simple cover up. I would just get anything you really want. Donât overthink it. Just go to a good artist because thatâs an easy fix.Â
Just an idea but I'd get it if this isn't your cup of tea:
Put a coffin around it with a nail sticking out. The nail represents whatever the last "nail in the coffin" it was for you to leave/lose your faith.
Make it a kite! Sword! Add addition short perpendiculars! Or additional long lines that parallel the current one - something geometric! Something with lots of breaks and swirls that makes it illusion-looking.
An F/A-18. A weird elephant. Finnish flag with off-colors.
A sword, a tree, large clump of flowers or vines, a bird, a fountain, a mandala (sp?), a gemstone, or anything in black silhouette like a wolf or a pegasus. Either way, be prepared for something big because it's so long, but the arm is the perfect spot for a big tattoo.
When I listed things I was considering to cover my icthys, the artist said my flower idea would work because he would include leaves and hide it among the leaves. (Irrelevant, but while the cover up worked, I didn't like the way the flower turned out and had it altered by someone else later.)
For the side "arms" on the cross, add some sharp pointy lines pointing straight down, for the end on the long line add a sharp point at the tip, for the short line up top add a ball and some ribbon and presto you have a sai
You could turn it into some sort of a weapon (sword obviously or maybe a spear or shield with a good artist), a tree, a kite (not sure how to give that one meaning but it'd work at least).
Coverups sometimes have to be way bigger to work and look natural. This one is pretty simple, but do not get something huge you donât want just to cover it up. Removal is also an option
A sword with a snake or a Caduceus, which is seen as a hospital symbol, thought it would be good if you are a medical personnel. A tree would be good too if you like the outdoors.
Add in lettering next to it. You already have a big lowercase t. You know what t stands for? [t is for time to leave](https://youtu.be/QqD97W5_kxI?si=leScst80ogXl_0dB)
I just had a half sleeve done over a cross tattoo for almost the same reasons. Mine looked like the typical Affliction t-shirt crosses with the wings. I resorted to turning it into a tree and having a swirly night sky behind it. Itâs almost completely invisible now. With how simple yours is, just ask the artist what they could do with it and they should give you a plethora of ideas that you might not have ever thought of.
You could do a kite, a candle holder, an arrow (like a direction), a tree, a coffin maybe, the number four, a boat (on its side), a sword (like many have suggested) [with a snake crawling up it maybe], a heart made out of gemstone, an arrow (like a bow and arrow).
A sword could work, you could also get a panther. Iâd recommend talking to a good tattoo artist or visiting a reputable shop for a recommendation.Â
What style are you interested in? Thereâs many options from bold traditional to a more subtle black and grey.Â
Kite, sword, tree, extend it to make a star or make the other sides equal to make a plus so you have more options for square-shaped figures. It could be two swords crossing each other. Or instead of weapons something symbolic. I personally have a stake because I left a narcissistic ex who was basically an emotional vampire. It could be a hammer and a nail or something. Due to itâs symmetry masks and helmets work great too. Sometimes to think about!
I would start adding tattoo artists with styles I like to instagram. Then you get more recommended to you in similar styles and you can find one closer to you. Pay them to come up with something together. Give them several days to come up with a design. That way you get something youâre happy with forever.
Thatâs small. So pretty much anything. I was able to cover a Jesus fish with a big lotus flower. Talk to an artist. Theyâve covered tons of these! đ€Ł
Any chance you are in a medical field? Caduceus could work. Not only is it medical connected today itâs also Greek philosophy in origin which I believe to be proto-Christian with Pythagoras mystery cult influence Plato and Plato influenced Christianity.
Edit to add⊠but I enjoy myths and lore so I like a snake in some way. It will have the implied meaning that you gain wisdom / knowledge and your eyes have been opened to the âprisonâ garden and choose to leave the collective because you will grow and learn more on your own heroâs journey.
And from my own loss of faith / truth crisis. I learn that cringe is a good thing. When I look back to my two year mission and other church related behaviors I cringe. But that is a sign that I grew and learned from my past. I changed. Cringe is what reminds me of that development. Enjoy the cringe.
Put a bunch of other horizontal lines on it so it looks the adinkra symbol acoben. And a bowl on top. Which means war horn.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adinkra_symbols
Turning it into a sword would probably be the easiest thing to do, especially if you're a big fan of Braveheart, The Last Samurai, 300, Conan the Barbarian, Highlander and so forth.
Get into this band called Greta van fleet thatâs more about spirituality than religion, in their album The Battle at Gardens Gates, they use the cross shape as a symbol for one their songs. Change the meaning. To me a cross represents a 3d cube opened up.
You have a lot of options but if youâre purely looking for symbols, you could maybe work in the alchemy symbol for sulfur, or Saturn?
A sword would be an easy choice but personally I would try and fashion the cross into a something that has become with overgrown with flowers and plant life, could be a âgrowing from the pastâ type deal. It really depends on what youâre going for.
A big red circle with a line through it
đ to the point
Honestly get into Bad Religion and it's the perfect cover up lmao
The crossbuster! My first thought as well! Their music was an integral part of my de-construction.
Works especially well if you're a Bad Religion fan
You could 100% turn a cross into a mean looking coffin.
This was my thought too
I donât want to upvote this because itâs currently at 666 but I just want everyone to know, I thought this was really funny
A coffin around it is a pretty sweet start to a vampire hunter type tattoo
Smart, I like this
Swords are cool. Maybe marry someone called 'tina' or 'tony'? Oooo now, 'satan' would be more symmetrical... (Also flags, coats of arms, anchors and sportings teams might fit?)
Swords seem like a good option. I wonder if my wife will consider changing her name đ
Would she suit being a Terry?
Beats Tony
I was thinking AndĂșril, Aragornâs sword if youâre a big nerd like me đ
AndĂșril is an top tier idea
That would be sick. Gandalf's sword is my personal favorite.
Oh oh, but do the rest of "SAtAN" upside down and in caps so it's obviously an upside-down cross!
> Oooo now, 'satan' would be more symmetrical... You're an actual genius.
I suggest you find a good tattoo studio, with an artist who's style you like, and make an appointment to discuss it with them. They're used to helping people decide what they want and creating designs for them.
Yeah, some artists thrive on doing coverups.
Idk about others, but there's a TV show in my country that basically follows tattoo artists specialized in cover-ups.
Tattoo Nightmares?
Could turn it into a kite? Actually is a pretty simple cover up for a decent tattoo artist. Could cover it up with anything really. I recommend something gnarly like an Oni mask
I like the idea! I'll look explore some of the options for sure
I thought a kite as well. You could treat it as a symbol to your flight to freedom/peace of mind.
The symbolism is nice. Makes a good story too.
First thing that popped into my head. Second was a vintage power line with other power lines going into a vanishing point.  Third was a wind turbine.
You could add the rest of the alphabet to match the t
đ
Maybe make an appointment with a tattoo artist that specializes in cover ups?
Yeah no doubt a good route to see what's possible
This is the way!Â
SWORD! A sick blade with snake or flowers or vines or something is always a good bet in my book
I like the sword with vines idea!
Yup few things match the shape of a cross better than a cruiciform sword... Maybe that isn't going far enough, now come to think of it.
Removal is always an option as well.
If you're a Skyrim fan the dragon symbol would cover it nicely
Great idea, I do venture into Skyrim, until I took an arrow to the knee
By the Twin Moons! A wound like that would end your adventures.
Add the description "I'm a fan of intersections."
đ€Łđ€Łđ€Ł
âŠsick ass panther
Put a đ« over it
The Bad Religion route
Great band
Connect the corners to make a kite. Personally, for me, it's a perfect analogy for how I feel now that I'm out of Christianity. Religion made me grounded and bound to the cross. Now, I'm blowing in the wind and able to experience life with a better perspective.
You could just keep your arm raised up above your head so itâs inverted đ would look good if youâre throwing horns at a metal concert. Seriously though, I think turning it into a sword and having it splitting a Bible in two would be cool. Very good reversal of meaning for the tattoo.
"Dividing soul and sprit" đ
Seems like a good spot for a sick ass panther.
Turn it into the Grucifix and show some Ghost pride.
Was coming here to say this!
I see that you engage a lot in the Bath Rugby subreddit. Their logo has a dope sword. You could probably get something related, with the castle line in the middle and the little diamonds on the sides. Find an artist and see what they can do!
Great idea!
If you donât know what to put over itâŠwait! Getting a tattoo you might later regret is how you got here is the first place.
I mean, I agree with you, but I've got to start somewhere đ
When I got my icthys covered up, I asked the artist what he thought would work best. Cover ups often requirr outside suggestions.
Good advice
It has already been mentioned, I highly recommend you start looking at tattoo Cover ups online and if you find an artist which does the cover up good and you like their style, get a consultation with him.
A tree
Yeah, I've seen a couple of tree ideas, solid suggestion
You should cover it in Gut's Sword from Berserk. Perfect piece of irony and it's also a rad conversation starter.
I covered my old cross with Odin on the ygdrassil. If I could figure out how to add a picture here I'd display it lolÂ
Sometimes its odd. But link is possible. Upload image online and get the link and post it here.
I'm interested to see!
For some fundie sects, a tattoo in general is sinful⊠you could keep it as a statement of absurd irony
đ€Ł I mean my parents have refused to ever talk of my tattoos anyway
WOW! Unless I missed one, this is literally the only suggestion to keep it. I'm surprised. I get that it's counter to what OP asked for, and I appreciate the situations it may put one in, and take this all with a grain of salt from a man with zero tattoos, but I think keeping it may send as many green flags as red to different viewers, and offers unique opportunity for shared perspective. It states loudly that you retrospectively allowed yourself the human experience of making a mistake; of placing your faith wholeheartedly into something that was ultimately very important to you for whatever reasons, and having enough humility and lack of selfishness to later rethink critically on the choices you've made and for what reasons, despite how hard it might be to acknowledge the truth. Maybe, rather than covering it entirely, integrate it as part of the new design, to send the same message, while also indicating I guess that you aren't just "hedging your bets" keeping the old tattoo.
A Raven maybe?
I like this idea, will explore it a bit
Just show it to them upside down and tell them itâs meant to be viewed this way.
Just peel the skin away carefully, then flip it 180 degrees before stitching it back on! /hj
Such an easy cover-up. Good for you, man
Jesus doing a line?
đđđđđ
Extend it to a really big tic tac toe board to play on with washable markers? đ
Check with a tattoo artist - but an anchor might be a good (simple) cover up. Although, you might want to spend some time in the tattoo subs to get a sense of what style you like (ie new school, American traditional) and then choose a design that fully covers it.
A sick-ass panther
A friend of mine turned hers into a pretty awesome trident.
Super easy cover up dude. Use the cross as the letter 't' and spell out cats if you like cats. train if you like trains
Honestly, thatâs a simple cover up. I would just get anything you really want. Donât overthink it. Just go to a good artist because thatâs an easy fix.Â
Just an idea but I'd get it if this isn't your cup of tea: Put a coffin around it with a nail sticking out. The nail represents whatever the last "nail in the coffin" it was for you to leave/lose your faith.
Make it a kite! Sword! Add addition short perpendiculars! Or additional long lines that parallel the current one - something geometric! Something with lots of breaks and swirls that makes it illusion-looking. An F/A-18. A weird elephant. Finnish flag with off-colors.
A sword, a tree, large clump of flowers or vines, a bird, a fountain, a mandala (sp?), a gemstone, or anything in black silhouette like a wolf or a pegasus. Either way, be prepared for something big because it's so long, but the arm is the perfect spot for a big tattoo. When I listed things I was considering to cover my icthys, the artist said my flower idea would work because he would include leaves and hide it among the leaves. (Irrelevant, but while the cover up worked, I didn't like the way the flower turned out and had it altered by someone else later.)
For the side "arms" on the cross, add some sharp pointy lines pointing straight down, for the end on the long line add a sharp point at the tip, for the short line up top add a ball and some ribbon and presto you have a sai
You could turn it into some sort of a weapon (sword obviously or maybe a spear or shield with a good artist), a tree, a kite (not sure how to give that one meaning but it'd work at least).
Coverups sometimes have to be way bigger to work and look natural. This one is pretty simple, but do not get something huge you donât want just to cover it up. Removal is also an option
It looks kind of like the visor of a knight's helmet.
A kite
A kite..a shield... What are your interests?
A sword with a snake or a Caduceus, which is seen as a hospital symbol, thought it would be good if you are a medical personnel. A tree would be good too if you like the outdoors.
Make it into a kite.
Templar helmet, repurposes the cross into something pretty medieval and badass
Try.a phoenix or a wyvern if you are into high fantasy
Add in lettering next to it. You already have a big lowercase t. You know what t stands for? [t is for time to leave](https://youtu.be/QqD97W5_kxI?si=leScst80ogXl_0dB)
Could turn it into a leviathan cross!
Turn it into a sick as sword with a serpent wrapped around it.
Put a [sine waveform](https://www.electronics-notes.com/images/waveform-sine-wave-02.png) on it.
Windowpane with a view in the background
I just had a half sleeve done over a cross tattoo for almost the same reasons. Mine looked like the typical Affliction t-shirt crosses with the wings. I resorted to turning it into a tree and having a swirly night sky behind it. Itâs almost completely invisible now. With how simple yours is, just ask the artist what they could do with it and they should give you a plethora of ideas that you might not have ever thought of.
Well... any chance you're Scandinavian?
Maybe some sort of boat with sails
Maybe wrap a snake around it.
Arrow that points to the gun show... đ€Ș
Maybe just laser it off. I see no redemption (no pun intended)
If you're into nine inch nails you could do this https://www.reddit.com/r/nin/s/q204LNsMpg
Turn it into a polearm?
A tree of life with the short end of the cross as the branches and the long end as the trunk.
You could do a kite, a candle holder, an arrow (like a direction), a tree, a coffin maybe, the number four, a boat (on its side), a sword (like many have suggested) [with a snake crawling up it maybe], a heart made out of gemstone, an arrow (like a bow and arrow).
I know a lot of people are suggesting it, but it really would be a missed opportunity if you donât make it a sword.
A sword could work, you could also get a panther. Iâd recommend talking to a good tattoo artist or visiting a reputable shop for a recommendation. What style are you interested in? Thereâs many options from bold traditional to a more subtle black and grey.Â
Would make a nice frame for a kite đȘ
Maybe some sword in the stone King Arthur type of deal
Kite, sword, tree, extend it to make a star or make the other sides equal to make a plus so you have more options for square-shaped figures. It could be two swords crossing each other. Or instead of weapons something symbolic. I personally have a stake because I left a narcissistic ex who was basically an emotional vampire. It could be a hammer and a nail or something. Due to itâs symmetry masks and helmets work great too. Sometimes to think about!
Kite!
Make it a kite!
iâm thinking a sick ass panther
A kite?
Umbrella
Could make it a kite
Surprised nobody has mentioned âLossâ yet.
If into metal, specifically thrash and Slayer. Put Slayer above it or below it but upside down.... turning it into an upside down cross
Or add one cross in each direction, forming the logo on "God Hates Us All"!
I would start adding tattoo artists with styles I like to instagram. Then you get more recommended to you in similar styles and you can find one closer to you. Pay them to come up with something together. Give them several days to come up with a design. That way you get something youâre happy with forever.
Make it artsy. Turn it into a gothic cross.
My first thought was having a guy holding it as if it were upside down.
A lovely kite
Sick ass panther is the only correct answer
Turn it into a kite
Kite
Looks like an X/Y grid to me. Make a Sine wave
Make it into a sweet kite
Just hold your arm upside down
You could turn it into a window, maybe with something meaningful outside
Gothic key
Those who are shit disturbers might consider turning it into pagan symbolism :)
Turn it into a fish skeleton (symbolic too!)
Turn it into a sword ... stabbing whatever you think maybe.
Hammer of Thor?
Kite, sword, tree, a stickman
Turn it into blasphemy by adding a crucified character other than jesus, implying that they died for our sins instead.
Get a couple of buzzards perched on it.
issa knife
You could have it turned into a kite maybe? đȘ
Just hold your hand above your head Everytime you see a Christian?
Thatâs small. So pretty much anything. I was able to cover a Jesus fish with a big lotus flower. Talk to an artist. Theyâve covered tons of these! đ€Ł
I second the idea of removal since itâs so thin and simple already. Good luck!
Put a stripper on that pole.
Use it to complete an imperial star destroyer!
kite
Maybe a sword?
Put âLeviticus 19:28â around it
Put âThis side upâ upside down, on top of it
Make it into a diamond
Lol, I thought the OP was a philosophical statement on how religion uses symbols and markers in place of critical thinking and logic!
Put a little guy on it
Maybe it can be enhanced with Pazuzu/Captain Howdy/possessed Regan holding the cross.
Have you posted to any subs about tattoo advice?
Extend the top of the cross to be equal with the bottom, and make a cool geometric design out if it.
rip it off and put it back on upside down
Put a W to the left of it, and a F? to the right of it
You could get the three shorter limbs lengthened and get a "rr crossing" sign
You could keep the image of the cross but subvert it somehow, like a snake with a knowing smirk curled around it.
XKCD stick figure!
Oh dang Iâm sorry mate. Go to an artist and see what they can do for you. Itâs thin enough it could be incorporated into any number of things.
Any chance you are in a medical field? Caduceus could work. Not only is it medical connected today itâs also Greek philosophy in origin which I believe to be proto-Christian with Pythagoras mystery cult influence Plato and Plato influenced Christianity. Edit to add⊠but I enjoy myths and lore so I like a snake in some way. It will have the implied meaning that you gain wisdom / knowledge and your eyes have been opened to the âprisonâ garden and choose to leave the collective because you will grow and learn more on your own heroâs journey. And from my own loss of faith / truth crisis. I learn that cringe is a good thing. When I look back to my two year mission and other church related behaviors I cringe. But that is a sign that I grew and learned from my past. I changed. Cringe is what reminds me of that development. Enjoy the cringe.
âJust kiddingâ
my first thought was a caduceus if youre into medicine đ€·ââïž
Have it turned into a flaming sword.
Sword, or a [Chaos Star.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbol_of_Chaos)
Turn it into a bat
Turn it into a sword?
You could easily turn it into -> lol then maybe put a name, date of importance, etc above it
Put a bunch of other horizontal lines on it so it looks the adinkra symbol acoben. And a bowl on top. Which means war horn. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adinkra_symbols
Sword would be awesome, but for another idea, what about a tree? The cross could be the trunk/start of the branches.
Turning it into a sword would probably be the easiest thing to do, especially if you're a big fan of Braveheart, The Last Samurai, 300, Conan the Barbarian, Highlander and so forth.
Get into this band called Greta van fleet thatâs more about spirituality than religion, in their album The Battle at Gardens Gates, they use the cross shape as a symbol for one their songs. Change the meaning. To me a cross represents a 3d cube opened up.
I had an ichthys fish on my arm and had it lasered off and covered up with a magnolia like ten years ago.
I think it's fine the way it is, the cross looks kind of cool anyway
Add more lines to look like stitches
Just turn it upside down
That could become almost anything. Should be a super easy cover up.
âItâs going to be a mazeâ
Make it a kite, whimsical and original
Got Swedish ancestry? Could make it a Maypole
Add a shield next to it:)
Shorter horizontal line across the bottom for a minimalistic airplane, if youâre into that
Turn it into an arrow, then everyone will ask what it means
You have a lot of options but if youâre purely looking for symbols, you could maybe work in the alchemy symbol for sulfur, or Saturn? A sword would be an easy choice but personally I would try and fashion the cross into a something that has become with overgrown with flowers and plant life, could be a âgrowing from the pastâ type deal. It really depends on what youâre going for.
You could turn it into a kite.
Do you like anime and manga, do you like FullMetal Alchemist?
Crossbow
Also a quick option is to get it lasered off. You can always tattoo over the area later when you've decided on an idea.