What our Tattoo means to us:
Czaplicki - Grzymala
Symbol: Coat of Arms in front of Polish and American Flags.
Flags: American Flag - representing current resident country. Fifty white stars inside of a blue field surrounded by 13 red and white stripes (7 red and 6 white). Meaning fifty current United States and 13 original colonies.
Polish Flag - representing root country. White field over red field. Meaning white field representative of peace and the red field representative of socialism.
Coat of Arms: Gold Shield
The shield is representative of protection and pride. A shield was used in battle to guard the carrier from the dangerous weapons used against him, blocking the blows of the enemy. We are commanded in scripture to ..take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.(Eph. 6:16) The gold field is representative of wealth, not just focused on material wealth, but rather on the understanding that we are precious in Gods sight and he has equipped us to defend ourselves.
Not only was the shield used for protection, but also to display the name of the one who bore the shield. The family shield stands prominent in the Coat of Arms because it is representative of, not only our families name, but also the strength that we have and the protection to survive centuries of war and pain. We present the shield with pride to all enemies, displaying that we will not run when faced with challenges and will accept whatever trial is given us. Upon the shield is a castle...
Lower Castle
The lower castle is placed in the center of the shield representative of the kingdom that we have established on this earth. It has taken centuries of work and effort to build up the kingdoms that are present in this clan. Scripture adds, If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.(Matt. 3:24) This family is still intact today because of strong roots. God has provided a remnant and heritage to continue on from this family line. He has a purpose for this kingdom to still stand. The castle is red, symbolizing the blood of Christ that covers us as well as the blood of those who fought to build this kingdom. The castle shows a strong foundation upon which the three towers are built upon. This foundation is found in the truth of the Gospel that is found in Jesus Christ. It is written, For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.(1 Cor 3:11) There are three standing towers upon the foundation...
Three Towers
Middle Tower
The middle tower, the most important tower in the kingdom, being the prominent tower on the castle represents FAITH. This tower was used as a watchtower against enemies. It is where the king usually lived and it was on the highest point so that he was the farthest away from danger. Faith is important to this family and we put it in the prominent location to declare our faith. Our faith is in Jesus Christ and it is this faith that holds everything in the family together. If the other towers are lost, this tower will stand because it is in the center of the foundation that we have.
The middle tower was also the first tower to be attacked. This families faith has been attacked, but has withstood the centuries. The Bible reads, ...though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.(Col 2:5) From this tower, the other towers were added on...
Right Tower
The right tower, lower than the middle tower, is representative of FAMILY. It is important to know that you belong and also to demonstrate to everyone that anyone who bears the family name is important to you. For this reason, the right tower was built, close to the middle tower to demonstrate the importance of family ties and with the understanding that the family bond stands next to your faith in importance. This tower, representing family, is also built upon the strong foundation. Besides the tie to this immediate family, we also understand that were are part of a larger family, the family of Christ. We together with other believers, stand firm and united with the same cause and we look out for one another. We set up a watchtower for our fellow brothers and help them out in time of need. We have a loyalty to those in our family and will stick by them regardless of the situation. The family ties are deep and the clan has spread out its roots with over 200 individual family names.
Left Tower
The left tower stands for FREEDOM. Freedom is important for this family because it is something that was earned and also given to us. The freedom that we have, we will fight for. We will not be afraid of the enemy that is trying to take this freedom away from us. As represented in the American flag, we have many freedoms in this land. The important thing for this family is discerning where the responsibilities lie so as not to misuse or loose this freedom. There are many out there trying to take away the freedom that those before us worked hard to earn. We establish the left tower as, not only a remembrance of the freedom that we have, but of the ones that fought hard to gain the freedom for us. We remember the ones from our family that left to find a freedom from government suppression as well as to better themselves and their families. This tower is also built upon the firm foundation.
We also remember the freedom that we are given in Christ. Scripture states, It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Gal 5:1) Christ died to free us from the bonds of sin and we must fight to preserve the freedom that we have found, by not placing ourselves again in the chains of sin that once bound us. We must be cautious of the enemy trying to drag us back into captivity and so we erect a watchtower to foresee the enemies advances.
Entrance
The entrance is small, but open. It appears welcome to let anyone into the family, but well guarded. The open doors represent this families openness to others and displays hospitality to those that are in need and helping to guard others against the enemy. But again, the entrance is well guarded...
Knighted Guard
The guard at the entrance represents, not only protection from intruders, but also signifies that we are always standing firm and ready for battle. It states in the Bible, ... be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.(Eph 6:10-18) We must always be on guard to defend the kingdom that our Lord has given us being the towers of faith, family, and freedoms, built upon the strong foundation of Christ.
Knights Helmet
The knights helmet stands above the shield to symbolize that we are protecting the most important part of our bodies, our heads. We must protect our selves in battle and defend our thoughts and beliefs. It marked in scripture, We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. We are always ready to defend our thoughts and beliefs and as symbolized by the cross on the helmet, we make our beliefs based upon the Knowledge of God that was given us through Christ. Our eyes are kept open and unrestricted so that we may see dangers coming.
Ornate Hedge
Covering and surrounding our shield and helmet is a hedge of protection. This protection comes from the Crown above and surrounds our thoughts, beliefs and family. It is symbolized in red and gold wreath. The red symbolizing the blood of Christ that covers us through his death on the cross for our freedom. The gold represents the precious love that comes from the Father and surrounds us at all times. Even if there are times in our lives that we do not feel Gods love, we can know that it is there and surrounding us. This coupled with the Blood of Christ represent the best protection possible against our enemies.
Crown
This crown symbolizes the governing King over our family. It is this King that makes our kingdom strong and it is also this King that our enemies are afraid of, causing this kingdom to prevail. The territory for this King is already established and will not be shaken or destroyed. All of our enemies know this. God is our King! He is in the high tower of our family and is the reason for our faith. He gives us our freedom and protects our family. He is our Governor and Ruler and we follow His decrees. The scriptures declare, God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. (1 Tim 6:15) We trust and follow Him. Upon this Crown are three towers representing the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They are also representative of the Kingdom that we have to look forward to. As you go, preach this message, The Kingdom of Heaven is near (Matt. 10:7) We know that the kingdoms of this world are only temporary and that we must take care of what God has given us, but we understand that there is a Kingdom established for us in heaven and our hope is in that Kingdom.
Plumes
The plumes in the crown represent the ones in the family that we have sent along to our heavenly Kingdom and are already there. We remember the foundations that they laid for us and the establishments of the towers that they have helped us to build on our castles. We remember what they fought for and what they have provided so that our family name might be preserved so that we can carry on this remnant which God has allowed to carry on.
Family Name: Grudzinski
Our family name was one that was passed onto us. We take pride in our name and protect it from desecration. We remember our name and the one that passed it onto us - for his work in establishing the foundation for the castle that we built. Our name stems from the Polish word for December being Grudzien. For our family, its meaning comes from being born, baptized, or registered in December. We will take pride in our name and display it proudly underneath our shield.
|
Any of the family have a tattoo or piercing?
E-mail me
|
