100 stunning examples of tattoos for men with meaning

by John Griffith

So far, on our website we have covered many different kinds of tattoos – small tattoos, flower tattoos, geometrical tattoos. Unfortunately, we have mostly paid attention to the female tattoos. Today, however, we are going to change that. The interesting thing about male tattoos is that, they could vary a lot. While most women opt for something smaller and feminine, men usually pick large tattoos. Some cover their whole backs, arms and legs. Of course, there are the ones who opt for a more minimalistic look. So, today, we have gathered a 100 examples of stunning tattoos for men with meaning. Browse through our gallery and read below to find out what the most popular tattoos are amongst men. What’s more, we are going to share the meanings behind these beautiful designs.

So, what are the meanings behind some of the most popular cool tattoos for guys?

  1. Compass – leading the way. Compasses show you the way, so a compass tattoo can be understood in two different ways. One of its meanings is the search for direction. The second could be the love of travel and adventure.

Tattoos for men with meaning

small compass, wrist tattoo, tattoos for men with meaning, hand on top of a map, white anchor bracelet

2. Religious tattoos – there isn’t much to say about them. They vary a lot. Of course, different religions suggest different symbols and drawings. But no matter the religion, they are quite popular and when done right could be truly breathtaking art pieces on your body.

The hand of God geometrical design

hand of god tattoo, on the side of the body, tattoos for men with meaning, white background, geometrical design

3. Inspirational quotes – whether you choose to have a whole quote, or just a word to serve as a reminder, these tattoos are beautiful. Preferred by both men and women, they are not only nice to look at, they could also help you if you need some inspiration in your everyday life.

A small reminder that you should be grateful everyday to be alive

alive inscription, forearm tattoo, tattoos for men with meaning, white shirt, grey trousers, black background

4. Wolf – one of the most fearsome animals. Always travelling in a pack with an alpha, the wolf tattoos might be a symbol of leadership, loyalty and perseverance. Furthermore, the wolf is a very instinctive animal, therefore, the wolf tattoo could remind you to trust your instincts.

Beautiful wolf tattoo

large wolf head, feathers on top, shoulder tattoo, forearm tattoos, man wearing a printed top

5. Lion – need I say it? Considered to be the king of the animals, the lion is an obvious choice for any man with confidence. The lion symbolises strength, courage and leadership. There are so many different examples of lion tattoos out there, it is really hard to choose the best one. It seems like the most popular ones are those portraying a roaring lion. But, you can always be a bit more creative.

Stunning watercolour lion tattoo design

leg tattoo, watercolour lion head, tattoo ideas for men, white background

6. Landscapes – they can be all kinds. From mountains, oceans and rivers to big urban cities, landscapes are a tattoo for the nature lovers. Nature landscapes usually suggest being one with nature and loving spending time surrounded by nature.

Tattoo design for the lovers of skiingmountain landscape, with ski slopes, forearm tattoos, man wearing a grey blouse, brown trousers

7. Angel wings – aesthetically stunning. Angel wings suggest the possession of a guardian angel, someone who watches over us. They are truly amazing to look at, especially if they are big and positioned on the back.

Breathtaking angel wings tattoo design

man stretching, angel wings, back tattoo, forearm tattoos, black background, brown hair

8. Tribal – the rite of passage. In ancient cultures tribal art was used to establish tribe membership. If you decide to have a tribal tattoo, but you don’t want it to just be beautiful, but also carry a meaning, be careful. Different shapes have different meanings in tribal art. Do your research beforehand and make sure what you are getting inked on your body has the correct meaning.

Tribal tattoo representing long life and good luck

tribal turtle, shoulder tattoo, meaningful tattoos, man wearing a black top, standing in front of a black background

9. Feather – symbol of the Spirit. In ancient Indian cultures the feather was a symbol of celestial wisdom and a connection to the Spirit. It could also be a symbol of freedom.

Feather tattoo on the forearm

black and white feather, forearm tattoo, arm tattoos for men, cement blocks in the background

10. The tree of life – drawn with intertwined branches and roots. The tree of life is a beautiful tattoo. It symbolises knowledge and wisdom, as well as strength and protection.

Tree of life tattoo design

tree forearm tattoo, meaningful tattoos, white shirt, black trousers, black background

Carpe diem – sieze the day

watercolour tattoo, carpe diem, dna strand, forearm tattoo, in front of a black background, meaningful tattoos

picture inside a picture, forearm tattoo, tattoos for men with meaning, blurred background

punisher forearm tattoo, religious icon forearm tattoo, tattoos for men with meaning, canada flag shirt

Ganesha – goddess of new beginnings, success and wisdom

the goddess ganesha, arm sleeve tattoo, man wearing a denim shirt, black jeans, forearm tattoos

intricate skull design, leg tattoo, forearm tattoos, leg lying on a surface, covered in nylon

compass and anchor, watercolour forearm tattoo, tattoo ideas for men, man wearing blue shirt and jeans

The god of the forest

pagan god of the forest, forearm tattoo, black and white, black background, tattoo ideas for men, hand in a fist

forest landscape, in a small circle, forearm tattoo, tattoo ideas for men, white background

henna design, forearm tattoo, tattoo ideas for men, hand lying on a wooden table, next to glasses and potted plant

Koi fish – symbol of overcoming adversity

man spreading his arms, large koi fish, whole back tattoo, arm tattoos for men, shoulder tattoos, white background

large waves, inside a triangle, forearm tattoo, arm tattoos for men, man wearing black, white background

Stunning watercolour Spiderman tattoo design

blue and red spiderman, watercolour leg tattoo, arm tattoos for men, leg on white paper sheets

Back tattoos for men with meaning

man flexing, religious theme, whole back tattoo, arm sleeve tattoo, meaningful tattoos, black background

Tribal tattoos for men with meaning

tribal shoulder tattoo, meaningful tattoos, man standing, in front of a black background

A little something for the photography lovers

vintage photo camera, watercolour forearm tattoo, small tattoos for men, white top and jeans

the all seeing eye, praying hand, small tattoos for men, religious theme, chest tattoos, denim shirt

angel wings, forearm tattoo, black background, side by side photos, small tattoos for men

The archangel Michael – one of the strongest beings in Christianity

the archangel michael, leg tattoo, small tattoos for men, wooden floor, blurred background

Sleeve tattoos for men with meaning

large black and white, arm sleeve tattoo, man sitting, wearing all black, forearm tattoos for men

island life, arm sleeve tattoo, forearm tattoos for men, man wearing a grey top, white background

Bio mechanical tattoo design

bio mechanical, forearm tattoo, forearm tattoos for men, white tiled floor, blurred background

black and white, bio mechanical, forearm tattoo, forearm tattoos for men, wooden floor, grey blouse

flying bird and rose, forearm tattoos for men, inner arm tattoo, blurred background

3D scorpion tattoo design

3d scorpion, forearm tattoo, black and white, sleeve tattoos for men, wooden floor in the background

intricate black and white, whole back tattoo, man stretching his arms, white background, sleeve tattoos for men

denim shirt, sleeve tattoos for men, different tattoos, on the forearms and wrists, inscriptions and books

praying hands, sleeve tattoos for men, religious theme, forearm tattoo, blue background

large deer, forearm tattoos, shoulder tattoos for men, silver watch, wooden background, black shirt

Ouroboros symbol – very common amongst tattoo lovers

do what you wish, ouroboros symbol, forearm tattoo, shoulder tattoos for men, grey shirt

flying eagle, forearm tattoo, shoulder tattoos for men, man wearing a turquoise shirt, grey pants

flying bird and roses, forearm tattoo, shoulder tattoos for men, black leather sofa, black shirt and jeans

forest landscape, wrist tattoo, hand with black gloves, holding another hand, shoulder tattoos for men

Tattoo design ideas inspired by Japanese culture

japanese culture inspired, leg tattoo, back tattoos for men, standing on a black leather sofa

3d compass and map, forearm tattoo, back tattoos for men, man wearing red blouse

large black and white monster, arm sleeve tattoo, back tattoos for men, black top and jeans, black background

black and white, arm sleeve tattoo, back tattoos for men, man dressed in all black, lying on a table

woman with horns and skulls, arm sleeve tattoo, tattoo designs for men, man wearing a black top

sailing inspired, arm sleeve tattoo, tattoo designs for men, man wearing a black top, standing in front of framed pictures

large bear, over a forest, forearm tattoo, tattoo designs for men, paved street, plaid shirt and jeans

black and white, arm sleeve tattoo, man wearing a grey top, in front of a black background, tattoo designs for men

black and white, arm sleeve tattoo, tattoo designs for men, man lying on a table, dressed in all black

large dragon, shoulder tattoo, wrist tattoos for men, man wearing a black top and jeans, blue background

large lion head, forearm tattoo, wrist tattoos for men, hand lying on a white paper sheet

wrist tattoos for men, lion head, black and white tattoo, blurred background

wooden background, black and white, forearm tattoo, wrist tattoos for men

ship sailing, sea man inscription, coloured leg tattoo, wrist tattoos for men

cool small tattoos, large tribal, arm sleeve tattoo, man wearing a black top, standing in front of a black background

large wolf head, over a forest landscape, forearm tattoo, cool small tattoos, blurred background

Small meaningful tattoos

small crown and the letter a, finger tattoos, cool small tattoos, hand resting on a table, covered in nylon

large black and white, arm sleeve tattoo, man wearing a grey top, cool small tattoos, white background

large moth, inside a circle, surrounded by roses and crystals, cool small tattoos, forearm tattoo

Napoleon crossing the Alps – one of the most famous paintings in the world on your arm

cool tattoos for guys, napoleon crossing the alps painting, inner arm tattoo, black background

paper plane folding, step by step, inner arm tattoo, cool tattoos for guys, man wearing a grey top

Phoenix tattoo designs – rising from the ashes

phoenix rising, shoulder tattoos, side by side pictures, cool tattoos for guys

religious theme, forearm tattoo, man holding a weight, cool tattoos for guys, man wearing black shirt and jeans

rose and clock, wrist and forearm tattoo, cool tattoos for guys, man wearing a blue shirt, brown pants, white sneakers

sailing ship, travel inspired, arm sleeve tattoo, inner arm tattoos, man wearing a red top and jeans

3d scorpion, shoulder tattoo, man sitting down, inner arm tattoos, man wearing black trousers

seven black lines, forearm tattoo, man wearing white shirt, black trousers, inner arm tattoos

sailing ship, watercolour inner arm tattoo, inner arm tattoos, hand resting on a table, covered in nylon

bird cage, birds flying away, watercolour shoulder tattoo, inner arm tattoos, blue background

Raptor sketch – tattoo design inspired by Jurassic Park

tribal tattoos for men, sketch of a raptor, jurassic park inspired, forearm tattoo, man wearing white shirt and jeans

skull with flowers, forearm tattoo, tribal tattoos for men, man wearing all black, tiled wall

man wearing all black, tribal tattoos for men, skull with a moustache, hat and a pipe, inside a frame

Simple tattoos for men

small black line anchor, forearm tattoo, tribal tattoos for men, grey background, black shirt

arm sleeve tattoo, with skull owl and roses, upper arm tattoos, man wearing a white shirt and jeans

three arrows, pointing down, forearm tattoo, upper arm tattoos, tiled cement floor

coffin shaped, colourful leg tattoo, island landscape and skull, upper arm tattoos, red background

Tim Burton’s Corpse bride inspired tattoo

tim burton inspired, corpse bride, colourful forearm tattoo, upper arm tattoos, wooden floor

geometrical design, upper arm tattoos, forearm tattoo, black background, brick wall

tribal chest tattoo, necklace like, man standing, in front of a white background, simple tattoos for men

tribal leg tattoo, simple tattoos for men, leg rested on a table, covered in white paper

two skulls, colourful forearm tattoo, dark blue background, red and yellow skulls, simple tattoos for men

united states army, simple tattoos for men, forearm tattoo, inspired by the army symbol

Time flies – tattoos for men with meaning

watch with exploding numbers, watercolour wrist tattoo, blurred background, simple tattoos for men

small meaningful tattoo, black circles, watercolour shoulder tattoo, man wearing a black top

island landscape, watercolour arm sleeve tattoo, small meaningful tattoos, black background, red shirt

elephant head, watercolour forearm tattoo, small meaningful tattoos, black background

large lion head, watercolour tattoo, white background, small meaningful tattoos

Amazing watercolour shoulder tattoo depicting New York’s famous skyline

new york skyline, crysler building, shoulder watercolour tattoo, small meaningful tattoos, black background

side by side pictures, watercolour tattoos, colourful designs, tattoo ideas with meaning

Star wars inspired tattoo of a Storm trooper

storm trooper, watercolour forearm tattoo, tattoo ideas with meaning, man wearing jeans

three arrows, geometrical design, watercolour forearm tattoo, tattoo ideas with meaning, man wearing jeans

windows view, watercolour forearm tattoo, forest landscape, blue sky, tattoo ideas with meaning

clock over a pyramid, tattoo ideas with meaning, forearm tattoos, man wearing a grey shirt, black pants

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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