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Tattoo Meanings

Understand the symbolism behind the most popular tattoo designs in the world.

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Tattoo symbolism decoded

Every tattoo tells a story. From ancient tribal marks to modern minimalist designs, discover the deep cultural, spiritual and personal meaning behind the world's most popular tattoo symbols.

100

tattoo symbols

explored in depth

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All tattoos

Browse all our tattoo analyses, sorted alphabetically.

Traditional anchor tattoo with rope on forearm, nautical style

Anchor Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of anchor tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Guardian angel tattoo with outstretched wings on the back

Angel Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of angel tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Fine-line arrow tattoo drawn back in tension on inner forearm

Arrow Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of arrow tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Geometric bear head tattoo, half detailed half polygon on chest

Bear Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of bear tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Honeybee tattoo with translucent wings on shoulder blade

Bee Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of bee tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Realistic biomechanical tattoo with gears and pistons under torn skin on arm

Biomechanical Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of biomechanical tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Flock of birds in flight tattoo ascending along inner forearm

Bird Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of bird tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Watercolor butterfly tattoo with vivid blue and purple ink on shoulder

Butterfly Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of butterfly tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Caduceus tattoo with intertwined snakes and spread wings on forearm

Caduceus Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of caduceus tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Fine-line black cat tattoo with green eyes and crescent moon

Cat Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of cat tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Celtic knot interlace tattoo in blackwork on forearm

Celtic Knot Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of Celtic knot tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Japanese style cherry blossom branch tattoo on the arm

Cherry Blossom Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of cherry blossom tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Chicano black and grey tattoo with female portrait and roses on forearm

Chicano Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of Chicano tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Black and grey pocket watch tattoo with exposed gears

Clock Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of clock tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Botanical four-leaf clover tattoo with dewdrop on wrist

Clover Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of clover tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Nautical compass rose tattoo with ornate filigree on forearm

Compass Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of compass tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Fine-line constellation tattoo with connected stars along the collarbone

Constellation Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of constellation tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Celtic cross tattoo with intricate knotwork on upper back

Cross Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of cross tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
American Traditional crown tattoo with jewel accents on hand

Crown Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of crown tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Detailed black and grey dahlia tattoo on the shoulder

Dahlia Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of dahlia tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Minimalist white daisy tattoo on the wrist

Daisy Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of daisy tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Geometric stag tattoo with antlers dissolving into polygons

Deer Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of deer tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Geometric faceted diamond tattoo with prismatic light on forearm

Diamond Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of diamond tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
American Traditional dice tattoo mid-roll on hand

Dice Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of dice tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Dolphin tattoo leaping above ocean waves on the shoulder

Dolphin Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of dolphin tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Geometric dotwork tattoo with mandala and point gradients on forearm

Dotwork Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of dotwork tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Japanese irezumi dragon tattoo flowing across upper back

Dragon Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of dragon tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Watercolor dragonfly tattoo with iridescent wings on shoulder

Dragonfly Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of dragonfly tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Delicate dreamcatcher tattoo with feathers on the shoulder blade

Dreamcatcher Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of dreamcatcher tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
American Traditional eagle tattoo with spread wings across chest

Eagle Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of eagle tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Ornamental elephant tattoo with mandala patterns on the forearm

Elephant Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of elephant tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Detailed eye tattoo with geometric triangle frame on forearm

Eye Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of eye tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Realistic peregrine falcon tattoo in flight on the shoulder

Falcon Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of falcon tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Fine-line feather dissolving into birds in flight tattoo

Feather Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of feather tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Realistic fire tattoo with orange and red gradient flames on forearm

Fire Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of fire tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Japanese koi fish tattoo swimming upstream through waves

Fish Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of fish tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Heraldic fleur-de-lis tattoo in blackwork on the arm

Fleur-de-Lis Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of fleur-de-lis tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Geometric fox tattoo with warm orange tones on the forearm

Fox Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of fox tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Galaxy tattoo with purple and blue spiral nebula on upper arm

Galaxy Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of galaxy tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Sacred geometry Flower of Life dotwork tattoo on chest

Geometric Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of geometric tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Ornamental dotwork hamsa tattoo with intricate patterns on the forearm

Hamsa Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of hamsa tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
American Traditional Sacred Heart tattoo with flames on chest

Heart Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of heart tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Galloping horse tattoo in black and grey on the thigh

Horse Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of horse tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Traditional horseshoe tattoo with roses on inner forearm

Horseshoe Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of horseshoe tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Neo-traditional hourglass tattoo with golden sand on forearm

Hourglass Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of hourglass tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Iridescent hummingbird tattoo sipping nectar from a flower

Hummingbird Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of hummingbird tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Minimalist fine-line infinity symbol tattoo on inner wrist

Infinity Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of infinity tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Traditional Japanese irezumi full sleeve tattoo with koi and waves

Japanese Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of Japanese tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Translucent watercolor jellyfish tattoo in blue and purple tones

Jellyfish Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of jellyfish tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Ornate Victorian skeleton key tattoo on collarbone

Key Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of key tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Geometric circular labyrinth tattoo on forearm

Labyrinth Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of labyrinth tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Fine line lavender sprig tattoo in purple on the wrist

Lavender Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of lavender tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Elegant script lettering tattoo with fine serifs on forearm

Lettering Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of lettering tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Black and grey lion portrait tattoo with flowing mane on chest

Lion Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of lion tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Polynesian tribal gecko tattoo on the shoulder blade

Lizard Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of lizard tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Geometric lotus tattoo rising along the spine with mandala circles

Lotus Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of lotus tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Dotwork mandala tattoo with concentric geometric patterns on back

Mandala Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of mandala tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Traditional Maori tattoo with koru spirals and tribal motifs on shoulder

Maori Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of Maori tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Neo-traditional mermaid tattoo with waves on the thigh

Mermaid Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of mermaid tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Minimalist fine line tattoo with delicate geometric motif on wrist

Minimalist Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of minimalist tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Fine-line moon phase sequence tattoo along collarbone

Moon Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of moon tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Geometric mountain landscape tattoo in circular frame on forearm

Mountain Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of mountain tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Japanese-style octopus tattoo with flowing tentacles on a full sleeve

Octopus Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of octopus tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Sanskrit Om symbol tattoo with lotus on the forearm

Om Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of Om tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Fine line orchid tattoo with delicate petals on the forearm

Orchid Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of orchid tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Ouroboros serpent eating its own tail tattoo in blackwork

Ouroboros Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of ouroboros tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Great horned owl tattoo with piercing eyes on chest

Owl Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of owl tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Fine-line palm tree silhouette tattoo with sunset on forearm

Palm Tree Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of palm tree tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Colorful watercolor peacock tattoo with iridescent tail feathers on the thigh

Peacock Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of peacock tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Japanese style peony tattoo in rich colors on the upper arm

Peony Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of peony tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Japanese phoenix tattoo rising from flames across upper back

Phoenix Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of phoenix tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Authentic Polynesian tribal tattoo on shoulder and upper arm

Polynesian Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of Polynesian tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Blackwork raven tattoo with outstretched wings on the forearm

Raven Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of raven tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
American Traditional red rose tattoo with thorns on forearm

Rose Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of rose tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Norse rune tattoo aligned in blackwork on forearm

Rune Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of rune tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Samurai tattoo in traditional armor with katana on arm

Samurai Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of samurai tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Fine-line Lady Justice scales tattoo on forearm

Scales Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of scales tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Traditional scorpion tattoo with raised stinger on ribcage

Scorpion Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of scorpion tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Minimalist semicolon butterfly tattoo on inner wrist

Semicolon Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of semicolon tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Realistic black and grey shark tattoo on the upper arm

Shark Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of shark tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Colorful Mexican sugar skull tattoo with marigold flowers on chest

Skull Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of skull tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Japanese irezumi snake tattoo coiling through peony flowers

Snake Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of snake tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Geometric crystalline snowflake tattoo on collarbone

Snowflake Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of snowflake tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Realistic spider tattoo weaving its web on the shoulder

Spider Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of spider tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Constellation star cluster tattoo scattered across shoulder blade

Star Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of star tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Bold Polynesian tribal sun tattoo on shoulder and upper arm

Sun Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of sun tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Realistic sunflower tattoo in vibrant yellows on the thigh

Sunflower Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of sunflower tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Old school swallow tattoo with vivid colors on the chest

Swallow Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of swallow tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Detailed Japanese katana tattoo with ornate guard on forearm

Sword Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of sword tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Japanese irezumi tiger tattoo with fierce expression on chest

Tiger Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of tiger tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Celtic Tree of Life tattoo with knotwork roots and branches

Tree of Life Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of tree of life tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Bold solid blackwork tribal tattoo wrapping shoulder and arm

Tribal Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of tribal tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Poseidon's trident tattoo with ornamental details on forearm

Trident Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of trident tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Polynesian sea turtle tattoo with geometric shell patterns

Turtle Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of turtle tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Viking tattoo with Norse knotwork and runic symbols on forearm

Viking Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of Viking tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Watercolor tattoo with vibrant color splashes and floral motif on arm

Watercolor Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of watercolor tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Japanese great wave tattoo inspired by Hokusai on ribcage

Wave Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of wave tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Pair of outstretched wings tattoo in black and grey on the back

Wings Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of wings tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.
Black and grey wolf head tattoo with intense gaze on upper arm

Wolf Tattoo Meaning: symbolism and significance

Discover the meaning of wolf tattoo: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything you need to know before getting inked.
Stylized yin yang tattoo with natural elements on the arm

Yin Yang Tattoo: meaning and symbolism

Discover the meaning of yin yang tattoos: symbolism, cultural origins, styles and placements. Everything to know before getting inked.

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