That's the most useful info I got out of this thread, +1 for you.

As for most of the other posts, I never intended to start WW3 with this. I know its a cliche, but really, can't we all just get along? I'm not pointing fingers at any individuals, but come one now, there's no need for all this bickering. Information on the symbols is interesting & appreciated, but I don't like seeing a thread I started devolve into a war of words. JUST STOP.

Anyway, the Celtic Cross is popular here in the US among those who are Irish, often displayed in more complicated tattoos than what I MS-Painted. Its just a way of saying "I'm Irish & I'm proud of that heritage" for the most part. It doesn't mean I'm proud of their personal war over there, where it seems Christians are killing Christians in the name of Christ (THEY need to just stop & think about it too)...it just means I've always been fond of the symbol, even before I learned my great grandfather was straight off the boat from Ireland, and I'm grateful that he came to the US or he wouldn't have met his future wife who was already here. The land of Ireland itself is beautiful, from what I've seen in pictures, but again I do not endorse their war within themselves.

Regarding the German/Iron Cross, I do know to avoid the Swastika (even though, as stated elsewhere in the thread, it was originally an Indian symbol adopted & perverted by the Nazi party). Here in the US, the Swastika serves no "good" purpose. The Iron Cross, however, is used for in many designs in America. My attraction to my German roots...and this may sound odd...is the food. They gave the US hot dogs, hamburgers, and many other foods.

Dammit, gotta go...

... to Germany ?

Oooh, how little you know about Europe to write such a thing! Makes your whole post a tad less valid.

I do encourage you to try the experience and wear a t-shirt with an iron cross on it or a buddhist swastika in France. For the first one, it is very likely that NO ONE will recognize it, as the german iron cross had a much more little impact than the nazis sign to people. Why? Because the iron cross existed before the nazis and thus is not immediately associated to them.

And the buddhist swastika. What you risk is that people will frown at you, maybe even call you names because they can't distinguish between the original one and the nazis one. But no one, I repeat, NO ONE will ever call the police on you for that, NO ONE will have the idea to drag you to court for that.

I don't know in what fantasy world you live, where the Americans hold the truth while all other governments are bloody facists, but it would be time to wake up, i think. I do encourage you to go to Europe, one day, you might discover that, for a bunch a anti-freedom of speech nazis, we allow lots of unpleasant things to be publicly said without calling the cops.
You're welcome. I didn't want to start that stupid flamewar, you know. But when stupid statements are made about my country, I feel I have to try to put back the truth. Seems to be vain...

Anyway, the celtic cross is also very popular here amongst people who like Ireland, don't worry. ^_^ I do too and I'm often sad that some a****les decided to take it as the symbol of their racial fight.

That fantasy world is called America. On Friday, I flew back from California, transferring at Amsterdam. And that was when I realised that just an hour's walk in the streets of Amsterdam would be enough to give most Americans three heart attacks in a row. The difference is that pronounced. And oh so refreshing.

The USA is a crazy place. They're so used to hearing they are superior to everyone else that they actually believe it.

You might be right... for many of them. I'm actually happy to have enough american friends who have shown me that all the americans are not like that.

I know. It would be mad to generalise about a nation of 300 million people. But the general spirit of the place is very much like that.

Nah, the exterminator showed up unexpectedly (we just moved into a new house) I had to pack the kids up real quick & find somewhere to go for 5 or 6 hours.

Anyhow, I might work on the Cross a bit more or I might leave it as is in the 2nd pic. Thinking about making it tattoo #8 for me.

You'd be surprised, when I went to Europe I was a bit disappointed with Munich and Rotterdam because they felt so much like home. Apart from the signs and language around me not being English, it was hard to remember that I wasn't still in the US.

I shudder to think what Amsterdam must be like if it's that bad comparatively speaking.

I just bought this necklace for my girlfriend and she liked it a lot. Maybe it can help you think up some ideas for your design.

Heh, I was just teasing. Yesterday you were so enthusiastic about Germany that I thought you would drop everything to go there.

Sure, go ahead.

...

I'm sorry, what were you expecting?

Cool cross. Try to make a triquetra fusion as well.

I'm of Irish/Italian/German descent so combining different cultural aspects appeals to me.

Nothing, really. As I know there would be as many people who wouldn't give a damn if I did it as people who would be outraged.

It was just what was written: a troll. no more, no less.

Yeah, I know, its cool. But I still felt compelled to give an explanation of some kind.

Getting back to Germany, I really admire their creativity & contributions when it comes to food. Hot dogs & hamburgers (which many mistakenly think of as classic "American" foods), German chocolate cake, potato pancakes, German potato salad...what can I say, I love different foods. I know they did alot with beer, too, but I'm not a drinker.

Yeah, you know that french have some kind of bad blood with Germany (numerous wars plus the german soccer team seems to always bet the french one! Outrageous! ^_^), but we do recognize that german food is very nice. And beers; so much better than french beers!!