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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.

102

tattoo symbols

explored in depth

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102 result(s)

All tattoos

Browse all our tattoo analyses, sorted alphabetically.

Forearm tattooed with a Roman die and a laurel branch in fine black ink, in a bright tattoo studio

Alea Jacta Est Tattoo: Meaning, Origin and Latin Variants

Discover the meaning of the alea jacta est tattoo, its origin with Caesar, Latin variants, lettering styles, placements and the budget to plan for.
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

Learn what a cross tattoo means: Christian faith, history, meanings in other cultures, Celtic and Gothic styles and the best placements to choose from.
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 what a fleur-de-lis tattoo means: royalty, honour, the Holy Trinity, history, popular styles and the best placements before getting your tattoo.
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.
Rooster with copper and green plumage and a red comb, perched on a wooden post in golden morning light

Gallic Rooster Tattoo Meaning: symbol of France and the Republic

Discover the meaning of the Gallic rooster tattoo: emblem of France, link with Marianne, the Phrygian cap, the motto and the flag, plus styles and placements.
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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