Tattoo Meaning: 35 Popular Tattoo Designs and What They Mean

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Ever since the semicolon tattoos hit the social networks, it should be clear to anyone who wants to get a tattoo that tattoo motifs in many cases have a very specific symbolism. Many people are probably familiar with the tattoos that prisoners use to identify themselves in prison, for example as a member of a certain group or gang.

Tattoos and their meaning for certain groups

For example, tears tattooed under the eye are a classic prison motif that often symbolizes a murderer or someone who has lost a fellow human being to a murder.

Singer Amy Winehouse also had a tattoo of tears. It can be assumed that she was aware of the symbolism of the tattoo and that she chose the single tear under her eye as a sign of solidarity for her husband Blake Fielder-Civil, who was in prison. Many gangs also mark their affiliation with tattoos, such as the Hells Angels.

Tattoos have been used by sailors for many centuries. Be it the anchor, as a symbol of hope for a safe return, or the rose, which with its thorns symbolizes the difficult life at sea. The ship is also a typical seafaring motif, indicating that one has crossed a certain sea.

The meaning of classic tattoo motifs

Of course, tattoos are no longer just the profession of sailors and prison brothers and in many cases the wickedness of a tattoo has long been history. In fact, tattoos have become so popular and normal in recent years that it's almost more noticeable if you DON'T have a tattoo than if you are tattooed.

And in this context, many people use tattoo motifs for purely aesthetic reasons without paying attention to a specific meaning - which is perfectly fine.

Which tattoo suits my zodiac sign?

Nevertheless, when it comes to certain motifs, you should definitely inquire about the meaning behind them and consider whether you agree with the meaning or not.

Because with a tattoo, despite laser removal, it's not that easy to get rid of what you've got under your skin.

Therefore: keep your eyes open when choosing a tattoo! Here are the most common tattoo motifs and their meanings.

Tattoo meaning: eagle

The eagle is a very classic symbol that stands for freedom, strength, power and pride.

What does an “ACAB” tattoo mean?

Very popular among criminals and tough guys is the tattoo ACAB, which stands for “All Cops are Bastards”.

What does an anchor tattoo stand for?

The anchor is also a very classic tattoo motif, similar to swallows and hearts. The anchor naturally comes from seafaring and symbolizes home, arrival, security, loyalty, hope and love.

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Tattoo meaning: eye

The eye is a very mythical symbol and therefore has multiple meanings. It is primarily associated with the divine, e.g. B. as the all-seeing eye, the eye of God. The eye was also an important symbol among the Freemasons and stood for truth, wisdom and conscience.

What does a tree tattoo stand for?

The tree is a symbol of the circle of life. So the tree tattoo has a positive meaning.

What can a flower tattoo mean?

Flowers as a tattoo motif simply look beautiful. But they also have a meaning: they represent youth and beauty. Currently real trend tattoos: the 12 birth flowers. Each of the flowers symbolizes the respective month of birth.

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Diamond tattoo: what does it mean?

Another motif that is currently trendy: diamonds. They symbolize eternity, purity, strength and stability - and of course luxury.

Unsure which tattoo suits you? Then take our test!

Tattoo meaning: dragon

There are wonderful traditional dragon motifs, especially in Japan. They stand for the supernatural, power, strength and masculinity.

What do triangles stand for as a tattoo?

Triangles represent the four elements fire, water, earth and air. If the tip of the triangle points downward it means water, if it points upward it means fire. If both are crossed with a line, they stand for earth and air.

What does the tattoo “EWMN” mean?

The letters EWMN are a popular tattoo for the fingers. The four letters stand for the English terms evil, wicked, mean and nasty.

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Tattoo meaning: owl

The owl is also one of the old school tattoo motifs. Her meaning: wisdom and female intuition.

What does a cat tattoo represent?

The cat can represent a wild character, but it can also symbolize the sense of family. In Russian prison, the cat represents a master thief, and several cats represent a gang member.

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Tattoo meaning: cherry

The cherry is a classic rockabilly tattoo, as are the swallow and dice. It symbolizes the contrast between innocence and openness. The double cherry motif represents a long partnership.

What does a compass mean?

While the compass tattoo used to be a protection for men at sea, today it shows that the wearer knows where he wants to go in life and that he knows his path. A compass on the skin can also symbolize the desire to travel.

This is what a cross tattoo can mean

In the Christian faith, the cross is the symbol of Jesus Christ. As a tattoo, the cross represents the Christian faith of its wearer.

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Tattoo meaning: lion

The lion is the king of beasts, therefore he represents power and strength.

What do black rings stand for?

The wide, solid black rings, which are usually worn on the arm, are said to go back to Japanese penal tattoos from the 17th to 19th centuries.

What does an arrow tattoo mean?

An arrow tattoo can have multiple meanings. On the one hand, it protects its wearer from danger. Two crossed arrows symbolize friendship, one broken arrow symbolizes peace.

Tattoo meaning: 3 points

Tattooed under the eye, the three dots represent faith, love and hope. Another interpretation of this tattoo is that they symbolize the prison code of “see nothing, hear nothing, say nothing” and thus indicate that the wearer was in prison.

What do 5 points mean?

A dot in the center with four dots around it, arranged like the five on the die, indicates that the wearer was in prison.

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Tattoo meaning: rose

The rose stands for love, innocence, loyalty, purity, but also passion. A tattooed thorny rose can also represent a life full of adversity.

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What does a ship represent as a tattoo?

The ship is a classic sailor tattoo with different meanings. A small ship, for example, was the symbol of the sailors who sailed around Cape Horn. Today a ship stands for stormy times in life that can be safely overcome.

Tattoo meaning: snake

From the Bible we know the serpent as the one who tempts Adam. As a tattoo, it can represent temptation, but can also be interpreted as protection for its wearer. Tattooed on the neck, the snake can represent a criminal past.

What does a key mean as a tattoo?

The key has stood for power since the Middle Ages. However, anyone who gets a key engraved today usually symbolizes the key to their inner self and their heart.

Tattoo meaning: butterfly

First there is the caterpillar, which then turns out to be a beautiful butterfly. The butterfly motif stands for transformation, new beginnings and rebirth.

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Tattoo Meaning: Swallow

Bird motifs are often used as a symbol of freedom and are an extremely popular tattoo. The swallow specifically stands for love and kinship and is a classic rockabilly tattoo. However, the swallow is also very popular with prison inmates. Its meaning here: Its wearer dreams of freedom.

What does a semicolon tattoo stand for?

This tattoo motif is intended to draw attention to a psychological problem. The sign means that you could finish something but don't. The sentence is not yet over after the semicolon. The semicolon stands for the yes to life that depressed people choose, but also for persevering and carrying on in a difficult phase of life.

Tattoo Meaning: Playing Cards

The cards symbolize, on the one hand, the desire to gamble, but also the bearer's view of life. The symbols of the playing cards are also popular prison tattoos: In Russia, the club stands for crime, spades for a thief, diamonds for an informant and hearts for finding a partner in prison.

What does a spider web tattoo mean?

If you just find this tattoo beautiful, you should know its meaning better: A spider web on the elbow or shoulder means that the person was in prison and murdered someone.

What's more: The US civil rights organization Anti Defamation League sees a connection between the motive and racist attitudes. In some places, the spider web is said to indicate that someone has murdered a member of a minority.

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Tattoo meaning: star

Stars can symbolize the firmament and the heavenly, but they also represent infinity, longevity and love. Also a beautiful motif as a fixed star and shooting star. But stars can also be purely decorative or represent a loved one. Gladly combined with a letter or name.

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What do tears stand for?

Tattooed tears under the eye are, as already mentioned at the beginning, a classic prison tattoo. The meaning: They indicate that you have murdered someone or a close family member or friend has been murdered and you are seeking revenge.

Tattoo meaning: skull

This motif also comes from the prison environment. In Russian prisons, the wearer uses a skull tattoo to indicate that he or she has murdered someone. But the motif is also very popular as a symbol of transience or in the Gothic scene.

What does a clock stand for?

The clock as a tattoo motif symbolizes transience and the circle of life. However, a clock without hands has a different meaning: it symbolizes time in prison.

Tattoo meaning: infinity symbol

The curved arches represent the infinity of love, hope, faith - whatever the wearer associates with it.

What does a dice tattoo stand for?

This tattoo is particularly popular with rockabilly fans. The meaning: The cube is said to bring eternal happiness to the wearer.