Tattoo motifs: the hidden meaning

by John Griffith
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Tattoo Motifs:  The tattoos are permanent drawings on the skin. They are made by applying a small amount of ink under the upper layer of the skin with the help of many needles. The size of the tattoo may vary. It can simply be a dot, a huge picture that covers the whole body, or at least large parts of it (the back, the chest, the whole leg, the whole arm). There are individual tattoo designs that are engraved on their own as small tattoos and those that can be part of a larger drawing.

Tattoo motifs: water lily

geometrical lotus flower, tattoo on the forearm, tattoo motifs, blurred background

Where do tattoo motifs come from?

The etymology of the word “tattoo” comes from the Polynesian language meaning “hurt / wound”. The tattoos were spread in Europe at the beginning of the 19th century. What’s interesting is that originally only the sailors had tattoos. Moreover, it was believed that they were only for men. At the end of the 20th century, however, many taboos were broken and the tattoos became quite popular fashion accessories.

Tattoo motifs: nature

triangle shapes, trees and mountains, blurred background, tattoo motifs

What are the most popular tattoo ideas with hidden meanings?

People have been tattooing since ancient times for a variety of reasons: religious, cultural, social. They did that in order to express their affiliation to a particular clan or the worship of a particular spirit or God. Today it is a bit different, however. Many people opt for a permanent drawing on their skin because it is simply trendy. However, there are many who regard the tattoo as a symbol of something specific on their bodies (memory, honour, love, faithfulness, etc.).

Depending on your own feelings and opinions you choose certain tattoo motifs which have a meaning for the respective tattoo wearer. The ancient tribal symbols, the mandalas, some floral species such as roses, daisies and water lilies, as well as some wild animals are among the most popular motifs.

Tattoo motifs and their meaning

different symbol meanings, tattoo motifs, black background

Geometric tattoos

tattoo motifs, sacred symbols meanings, black background

Popular symbol tattoos with secret meanings – geometric tattoos

In recent years, the geometric tattoos have gained a lot of popularity. The prominent characteristic of this design is the combination of many intersecting geometric shapes. They can either have a simple symmetrical design or be a complex image. Usually, only black ink is used for the tattoo. Sometimes, however, other colours, 3D effects, or additional shapes, which add more attractiveness, are used.

Origami Tattoos

origami bird with flowers, tree branches, tattoo motifs

Other popular motifs are the Origami motifs. Especially the crane, which is chosen because it is known as a symbol of hope and spiritual and physical healing.

Feather and wing motifs

geometrical feather drawing, black and white sketch, arm tattoos for men, white background

Other popular tattoos with hidden meanings

The feather and especially the wing motifs symbolise the freedom of the spirit and the pursuit of spiritual development. Some people, however, have different interpretations: they use such motifs in honour of a loved one, who is deceased. Many people have tattooed angel wings on their backs or on their necks. They believe that because of them they are always guarded by their guardian angel. The eagle wings, on the other hand, stand for royalty.

The lion as a symbol of power and valour

geometrical tiger head, tattoo on thigh, arm tattoos for men, white background

The hummingbird is the fastest bird in the world. It symbolises energy, but also delicacy and tact. The hummingbird tattoos symbolise the desire to try out the nicest things in life.

Animal motifs

 black and white animal drawings, white background, arm tattoos for men

Fairy tale motifs

aladdin's lamp, genie in a bottle, pink blue and red clouds, arm tattoos for men

Stars symbolise the desire to be in close contact with nature and everything that surrounds us.

Nature motifs

triangle shapes and star, forearm tattoo, arm tattoos for men, black jeans and shoes, tattoos with hidden meanings

 

meaningful tattoos, flying astronaut, black and white drawing, white background

two birds and an eye, tree branch and an arrow, meaningful tattoos, black and white drawing, white background

black and blue feathers drawing, meaningful tattoos, white background

The lotus flower symbolises change, rebirth and the pursuit of a new, better life

symmetrical lotus flowers, back tattoos, tattoo ideas with meaning, black and white backgrounds

flowers on the back of the arm, black top, meaningful tattoos, blurred background

small heart, meaningful tattoos, blurred background, blonde hair, grey top

black and white phoenix drawing, tattoo designs for men, white background

blue and purple whale drawing, white background, tattoo designs for men

The chakras and their colours

colourful chakras drawing, small tattoo ideas for men, white background

chakra colours and symbols, tattoo designs for men, white background, tattoos with hidden meanings

clock with roman numerals, tattoo on thigh, tattoo designs for men, tiled floor, face in the clock

Yin and Yang – the eternal struggle between good and evil

yin yang forearm tattoo, small tattoo ideas for men, black leather background

yin yang sun and moon, forearm tattoo, small tattoo ideas for men, white background

colourful animal head drawings, tattoo designs for men, white background

colourful bird origami, blurred background, tattoos for men with meaning, black shirt

couple with matching tattoos, tattoos for men with meaning, geometrical flowers, tattoos with hidden meanings

tattoos for men with meaning, colourful symbols drawing, white background

doh head, honey inscription, forearm tattoo, tattoos for men with meaning, blurred grey background

dragon shape, tattoos for men with meaning, black and white sketch, white background

Family, childbirth and fertility

egyptian god drawing, simple tattoos for men, white background

floral top, simple tattoos for men, pink blue and black rose on the shoulder

flowers on the shoulder, grey top, simple tattoos for men, blurred background

Freedom

geometrical bird, tattoo on shoulder, simple tattoos for men, tattoo symbols with hidden meaning

geometrical shapes with a tree, blurred background, simple tattoos for men

the goddess kali drawing, chakra colours, small meaningful tattoos, white background

large arm sleeve tattoo, small meaningful tattoos, geometrical shapes and an eye

flying moth, tattoo on the back, grey top, small meaningful tattoos, white background

wolf head drawing, small meaningful tattoos, black and white drawing, white background

Japanese motifs

japanese inspired drawing, painter fish and boats at sea, small meaningful tattoos

japanese inspired drawing, grey background, blue bird on a tree branch, tattoo designs for women

Bliss

large cat head drawing, tattoo designs for women, black and white drawing, white background, tattoo symbols with hidden meaning

tattoo designs for women, black and white drawing, large s shaped dragon, white background

dreamcatcher tattoo on the back, tattoo designs for women, black background

large s shaped dragon, tattoo designs for women, black and white drawing, white background

lotus flower and birds, quotes inscriptions, tattoo ideas with meaning, back tattoos, white and black backgrounds

large moth drawing, black and white sketch, tattoo ideas with meaning, white background, tattoo symbols with hidden meaning

names inscription, forearm tattoo, blurred background, tattoo ideas with meaning

owl drawing, black and white sketch, tattoo ideas with meaning, white background

large stag forearm tattoo, small tattoos with meaning, paved path, black jeans and shoes, unique hidden meaning tattoos

symmetrical wrist tattoo, paved path, small tattoos with meaning, black jeans and pants

phases of the moon, back tattoo, black top and background, small tattoos with meaning

purple green and yellow peacock, white background, small tattoos with meaning

rosary hand and wrist tattoo, small tattoos with meaning, black and grey background wallpaper

roses and an anchor, black and white drawing, tattoos for girls on hand, white background

small running rabbit, tattoo on the shoulder, white top and straps, tattoos for girls on hand

symmetrical flower forearm tattoo, grey top, black background, tattoos for girls on hand, unique hidden meaning tattoos

symmetrical lotus flowers drawing, tattoos for girls on hand, black and white sketch, black pencils

female face with a mask, tattoos for girls on hand, roses and flowers, white background

wooden table, meaningful tattoo ideas, birds and a tree brunch, wrist tattoo

wolf head with roses, back tattoo, meaningful tattoo ideas, white background, black top, unique hidden meaning tattoos

time mechanism, tree drawing, black and white sketch, meaningful tattoo ideas

Longevity

tribal turtle on the shoulder, meaningful tattoo ideas, black top and background

geometrical lion head, red nail polish, meaningful tattoo ideas, black dress, white background, thigh tattoo

flower bouquets on shoulder, brown curly hair, small tattoo ideas for men, grey top, white background

A wolf in sheep’s clothing

small tattoo ideas for men, wolf in sheep's clothing, back tattoo, short hair, blurred background

 

 

John Griffith
John Griffith

John Griffith is a young, passionate journalist. Writing has been John’s hobby ever since he was a boy. He has worked in some of the UK’s most successful news portals over the course of his professional career but found his forever home at Archzine.

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