Tattoos with meaning – what is behind the most popular symbols?

With a tattoo you usually want to make a personal and specific statement. For this reason, you should first think carefully about what type of tattoo you want to get. For example, you think rose tattoos are beautiful, but you don't know what exactly they stand for? Then read on - in this article we have put together many tattoos with meaning for you and explained them in detail!

Tattoos with meaning – tattoo clock

Every moment in our lives is unique. A clock tattoo is one of the most popular tattoo designs among both men and women. It should always remind the wearer not to waste their time pointlessly, but to enjoy every day. Even though the most obvious tattoo clock meaning is of course time, there can be a lot more to it. For example, it could represent life and death, love and family, or a reminder of a loved one you have lost. The shape of the clock also changes the meaning of your tattoo - a sundial is a symbol of wisdom, while a digital clock symbolizes the future.

Hourglass meaning tattoo

AHourglass tattoois the perfect choice for anyone who values ​​their time and life. Because just like the sand in the clock, time will not stop for anyone or anything. It stands for:

• Life and death
• Strength and energy
• New beginning
• Past
• inevitability

Many other elements go perfectly with an hourglass tattoo.

• A clock combined with beautiful roses or hearts are among the most popular tattoos with meaning among women. They are considered a symbol of life and love.
• A broken hourglass tattoo represents courage and pain and should serve as a reminder that the bad times are already over.
• Motifs with hourglasses and inspiring quotes are particularly popular, such as “Don’t let time stop you”, “Carpe Diem” (translated into German it means “Seize the day”).

Pocket watch tattoo meaning

The pocket watch tattoo is usually done in the so-called realistic style and contains other elements such as roses, skulls or quotes. With this tattoo design you can immortalize a specific moment from your life in an excellent way. It can be anything from your wedding anniversary or a birthday to the birth of your child or the death of someone else.

• A rose clock tattoousually represents life and love.
• Tattoo skull with clockis considered a symbol of death and mortality. This reinforces the feeling that time is precious and that it always drives us to our last breath.
• The pocket watch can also be used foreternity- no matter where we go in life, one thing always remains constant - time.

Eye tattoo

If you are a spiritual person who is also interested in mysticism, then this tattoo motif would be perfect for you. The eye tattoo is a real eye-catcher and can be wonderfully combined with other symbols or backgrounds. The eye tattoo meaning usually stands for omniscience, truth, knowledge, spirit and light.

• All seeing eye tattoo meaning –This eye tattoo is also known as the “God’s Eye” or “Eye of God” and represents strength, power and the ability to predict the future. The eye is surrounded by a wreath and enclosed by a triangle. The triangle in this motif represents the three elements earth, water and air and also for the father, the son and the holy spirit.
• A crying eye tattoosymbolizes a sad moment from the wearer's life.

Eye of Horus and the “Third Eye” tattoos with meaning

• The Eye of Horuscomes from ancient Egypt and means “complete, whole, intact and healthy”. Mythology says that the left eye of the light god Horus was torn out by the god Seth while the two were fighting for the throne of Osiris. As a tattoo motif, the Eye of Horus stands for healing and health and as a back tattoo - for protection from everything that you cannot see with your eyes.
• The “Third Eye” Tattoo Meaning –In Hinduism, the god Shiva is depicted with a third eye between his eyebrows. The eye is considered the gateway to the inner world and represents higher consciousness and enlightenment.

Meaning of rose

A rose tattoo looks elegant, timeless and modernand is one of the most engraved motifs in the world. Not only does the flower look beautiful, it also has many deep meanings. However, these depend on many factors – the color of the flowers, the number of rose petals and of course the entire tattoo design.

• Skull with roses tattoos with meaning –The skull is a symbol of overcoming challenges and in combination with a rose it represents a new beginning in life.
• Rose tattoo with a clock –As already mentioned, the clock as a tattoo has many different meanings. A pocket watch without hands and a rose that decorates it symbolize eternal love.
• Three roses tattoostands for love, life and hope.

• Rote Rose Tattoosymbolizes love, passion and romance.
• Rosa Rosenrepresent femininity, grace, innocence and elegance. Many women who have successfully beaten breast cancer often have a pink rose combined with a bow.
• Black Rose Tattoo Meaning –The color black is always associated with death and sadness. This tattoo design allows you to immortalize a loved one on your skin in a beautiful way.

Not only the colors but also the shape of the rose carry different meanings:

• When the petals are closed,The rose tattoo represents a new beginning.
• A full bloomsymbolizes success, growth, wisdom and beauty.
• The Withering Rosemeans unrequited love, loss or death.

Skull meaning

Even though skull tattoos look very scary, the motif is very popular among both men and women. And it may surprise you a little, but the meaning of the skull tattoo is not as negative as you might think.

• Transience of life –Worldwide, the skull is considered a symbol of the transience of life and of problems, worries or dark thoughts. A skull tattoo can symbolize the death of a close friend or family member for the wearer.
• Strength and positive changes –Have you closed a difficult chapter in your life or have you successfully overcome a serious illness? Then you are well advised with this tattoo motif.
• Symbol of belonging to a certain group –Many rock stars or bikers choose a skull tattoo and thereby underline their own lifestyle.
• Skull with roses tattoodescribe the contrast between life and death or between good and evil.

Tattoos with meaning - see nothing - hear nothing - say nothing tattoo

Hear nothing, see nothing, say nothing - this saying comes from Japan and the principles are about not focusing on evil thoughts and overlooking the bad. Originally the saying was represented by three monkeys - Mizaru, Kikazaru and Iwazaru, or also known as the three wise monkeys. But you can also choose skulls, cartoon characters and anything else you like - either way, this is a very unique tattoo motif with a deep meaning.

Cherry as a tattoo motif

Cherry tattoos are sweet and elegant and are the perfect choice for anyone who wants to get a small tattoo. As a tattoo, it usually appears in a double pack and with a green stem and stands for femininity, purity, happiness and beauty. The fruit itself as a tattoo motif does not have as deep a meaning as, for example, the cherry blossom tree - especially in Japan. There it stands for beauty, transience but also new beginnings and hope.

What do the star tattoos mean?

On the back, on the wrist oron the collarbone– The star tattoo has something mystical and romantic about it and is a real eye-catcher. But the star tattoo meaning is also very versatile.

• Since the stars only appear at night, they are often used as a symbol ofthe fight against darkness and evilviewed.
• They also stand forProtection and guidance.
• Light and hope.
• Pentagram Stern Tattoo –Basically the pentagram is a five-pointed star and four of the five points symbolize the elements earth, water, air and fire and the fifth represents the higher spirit. Depending on whether the star points up or down, it also has different meanings. If the tip points upwards, it represents protection and balance and if it points downwards, the pentagram is interpreted as a symbol of the devil and is associated with the satanic scene.
• The nautical starIt doesn't just decorate the skin - it often appears as a patch on leather jackets or vests. Its meaning as a tattoo derives from the symbol's original use – as a symbol on nautical charts. Therefore, the nautical star tattoo is intended to serve as a guide for the wearer in difficult moments and times and to bring them to their destination.

• The Star of Davidis particularly important for Judaism. The six-pointed star is considered a symbol of the unity of earth and sky or the balance between the human and the divine.
• Tattoo shooting stars –If you see a sniffle at night, you can make a wish - everyone knows the superstition. That's why we haveShooting star tattoossomething magical, dreamy and special about itself. This tattoo motif is often considered a kind of good luck charm and is usually associated with a very special moment in life. In addition, it also stands for freedom, wanderlust and spirituality.

What does the infinity sign mean?

Infinity symbol tattoos have gained a lot of popularity in recent years and more and more people are choosing to get the motif in one form or another. The symbol has many different meanings - some have been around for centuries and others have emerged in recent decades.

• Most often it stands for theinfinite and limitless love, which makes it perfect for a partner or friendship tattoo.
• It is also considered a symbol ofHarmony and balanceand is intended to help the wearer find balance in their life.
• In some cultures the infinity symbol stands forRebirthand new beginnings.
• ADouble infinity tattoois the perfectPartner Tattoofor two people who are completely different but still love each other. This symbol is an excellent way to immortalize your love.
• What does the 8 mean as a tattoo? –The number 8 stands for harmony, justice or resurrection and regeneration.

Anchor tattoos

The anchor is a symbol with a very long history and thanks to the deep anchor tattoo meaning, more and more people are choosing this motif.

• According to its function, the anchor tattoo stands in the first place forProtection and security.
• It symbolizes theLove of the sea and water.
• Those who have an anchor tattoo usually have oneadventurous character.
• An anchor can also be used for theeternal loyaltystand.
• Rose and anchor tattoogenerally symbolize love, loyalty and honor.

Get a key tattooed

Most of us know the old saying – “You have the key to my heart”. And a heart key tattoo is the perfect way to express your feelings andto immortalize the love for your partner on your skin. A very cool idea would be if you just get the key and your friend - the matching lock. But there are many other meanings behind the key tattoo motif.

• It can be for theFreedomafter a certain period of time or a relationship in which you felt trapped.
• New beginnings and change
• Security and protection
• A key tattoo could also be consideredMemorial of a loved oneserve.

Interesting tattoo symbols and their meanings – What does a playing card tattoo mean?

Are you adventurous and enjoy doing something new? Then maybe this tattoo design would be just right for you! The general and most common card tattoo meaning is luck. There are a variety of different card hands that you can get. To get a unique and very cool tattoo, you can also add other elements and symbols to the design. For example, dice, cherries, the 8 billiard ball or a horseshoe are perfect for this - they all stand for luck and success in life!

• Royal Flushis the best hand you can have in poker and contains the cards Ace, King, Queen, Jack and 10 that are of the same suit. This tattoo symbolizes power, profit and success.
• Since the ace is the highest card, a 4Asse Tattooanother very popular motif and stands for victory, power and luck.

Cool dice tattoos with meaning

In addition to playing cards, a tattoo dice is also a very good choice for anyone who likes to take risks in life and wants to escape boredom. This motif is said to bring the wearer eternal happiness and success. In combination with other motifs, the dice tattoo meaning also changes.

• Dice and rosesare particularly popular with women and represent happiness in love.
• Clovers and dicebring the wearer luck in life.
• Playing cards and diceare a particularly cool and interesting tattoo design and represent luck in the game.

Before you decide on a dice tattoo, you should first think carefully about what combination of numbers the dice will show.

• The number 7In principle it is considered a lucky number.
• 13symbolizes bad luck and misfortune,However, there are many people who see it as a personal lucky number.
• In the card game brings onePassmostly just advantages. However, a pair of 6 is the biggest possible win, while a pair of 1 is considered a failure.

Hands as a motif

Even as children we learned that a handshake is a symbol of respect, friendship and peace. This is exactly why more and more people are choosing to get a hand tattoo. However, the variations of this motif are endless and below we will inform you about the most popular hand tattoo motifs and their meanings.

• Snake hand tattoo –In this tattoo design, the hand is bitten by a snake and symbolizes only one thing: you should not blindly trust anyone.
• Tattoo open hands –There is something magical and spiritual about a tattoo of two open or praying hands. It could be a memorial to a deceased person. Many people believe that the two hands tattoo can help them get through the difficult times in life more easily.

Cross tattoo

The cross tattoo should not be missing from the classic and most popular tattoos with meaning. Even though many people associate the motif with religion, its meanings are much more different and varied than you think. For example, the cross rose meaning is a symbol of love and the connection between female and male. Before you get a cross tattoo, you should first find out whether the motif is appropriate and permitted - there are some cross symbols, such as the swastika, which are prohibited by law.

• With the classic crossThe horizontal line represents the earth and the vertical symbolizes the sky. As a tattoo motif, it represents the connection between the human and the divine or heaven and earth.
• Iron Cross Tattoo Meaning –The square cross with pointed corners comes from Germany and was a special Prussian war decoration in the 19th century. However, since it was used as a military symbol in the Third Reich, it does not have such a positive meaning today.

• Ankh Cross Tattoo –Ankh is an ancient Egyptian symbol that looks a bit like a key. It represents rebirth, life and new beginnings.
• Tattoo cross wingsrepresents death and many people have this motif engraved as a souvenir of a deceased person.
• Upside Down Cross Meaning –The upside down cross is most often associated with Satanism and the reversal of Christian values. It is also known as the Cross of Peter - the apostle Peter, upon his crucifixion, asked for his cross to be turned over because he was not worthy to die like Jesus.

Tattoo bird as a symbol

“Free as a bird” – birds have symbolized freedom and the longing for it for centuries. AVogel TattooSo stands for:

• Freedom
• Protection and spiritual guidance
• Family and love
• Frieden
• beauty

What does the swallow mean?

The small, sweet swallows are known as protectors and guardians in many traditions and cultures and are considered a symbol of motherhood, beauty and protection. A swallow tattoo is particularly popular among women. Whether in black and white or with color in the so-called old school style - it looks very elegant and unique. What do swallows actually stand for? The swallow tattoo stands forHappiness, love and freedom.

Pigeons as a tattoo

The dove symbolizes the Holy Spirit and plays a very important role in Christianity. For this reason, it goes perfectly with other meaningful tattoo motifs, such as a heart, a cross or a hand tattoo. In principle it is considered a symbol for:

• freedom and peace
• the Holy Spirit
• Lucky charm
• The white dove tattoo represents innocence and purity.

The eagle tattoo

The eagle is a royal and majestic animal and has been the heraldic animal of the Federal Republic of Germany since 1950. Even though an eagle tattoo looks really stunning, you should know that having an imperial eagle tattooed on a visible area, such as the shoulder or chest, is punishable by law. So the eagle tattoo meaning is:

• self-consciousness
• Strength and power
• Luck

Meaning owl tattoo

The owl has something mystical about it and has been revered by many cultures for centuries. The Aztecs and the Celts considered it a harbinger of death, appearing only to take the soul of the deceased or to announce misfortune. Now, what does an owl mean as a tattoo? For example, an owl tattoo combined with a skull alludes to exactly this symbolism. The beautiful bird is also integrated into many mandalas and gives every tattoo a unique and mystical touch. The owl usually stands for:

• Wisdom and spirituality
• Mystery and mysticism
• grace
• Angst
• Todesbote

Wing tattoo

Extremely elegant and beautiful - it's not for nothing that the wing tattoo is one of the most engraved motifs ever. Since it can be wonderfully combined with many other elements, you can let your imagination run wild and create a unique, personal design. A wing tattoo usually stands for:

• Freedom
• Peace and salvation
• Loss of a loved one

The spring in different versions

The feather tattoo only has positive meaningsand for this reason the motif is very popular with both men and women. Here are the most common feather tattoo meanings:

• Purity and innocence
• Courage and hope
• Freedom
• wisdom

Heart tattoo and its meaning

A heart tattoo can be easily combined with many other motifs. Do you want a sweet partner tattoo? For example, a heart with 2 rings that symbolize your marriage is perfect for this. Wings or a dove also go well with it. Depending on the type and design of the heart tattoo, the meaning also changes. Below we will show you the most popular heart tattoo symbols and their meanings.

• Tattoo open heart –It represents sadness, heartache or other negative moments in life.
• Heart with arrowis the perfect tattoo for anyone who has just fallen in love - just like an arrow, love has unexpectedly hit you straight in the heart.
• Heart tattoo blackis associated with grief and death.
• Castle and heart tattoohas a deep and very interesting meaning. It shows that the wearer has closed his heart and is waiting for the right person to open it.

Compass as a nautical symbol

All tattoo symbols have a specific meaning and have been used for many centuries. This is also the caseKompass Tattoothe case - it was used by members of the military and sailors and served them as a guide. It can be done as a single tattoo or combined with other symbols. The most common compass tattoo meaning is of course the direction and is a symbol that the wearer has found the right path. Other meanings are:

• Hope and strength
• Determination
• Trust
• Anchor compass tattoo meaning– Since the anchor is an important symbol in Christianity, this motif stands for the connection between the human and the divine and for the love of God.
• Rose Compass Tattoosymbolizes passion and the search for great love.

Unique tattoos with meaning – Tattoo Earth

An earth tattoo is beautiful and can be done in many different ways. Many people choose the 4 elements tattoo as a motif – water, fire, air and earth.

• The water tattoorepresents life, innocence, purity, power, peace and rebirth.
• Tattoo Feuersymbolizes passion, love, power, as well as life and death.

Tree as a motif

Trees are robust and long-lasting and therefore symbolize nature and the circle of life. A tree tattoo has a very strong and powerful meaning and that is:

• Long and wise life
• Connection between nature and people
• Rebirth and new beginnings
• Tree of Life Tattoo Meaning –For the Celts, the tree of life means immortality and eternity, forgiveness and redemption, strength and protection or even successful growth in life.In other cultures the tree of lifeviewed as the connection of all life.

Butterfly for women

AButterfly tattoolooks modern, playful and extremely feminine and can be presented in many different ways. 3D butterfly tattoos look particularly trendy and pretty. Such a tattoo is not only beautiful, it is also full of different meanings.

• A butterfly tattoo stands above all for thatRebirth, a new beginning or for purity, love and beauty.
• A tattoo butterfly with a skullis an incredibly beautiful combination and symbolizes the circle of life.

Sailing ship as a tattoo design

Ship tattoos have a long history and are among the most popular tattoos with meanings. Since most tattoos are very detailed, this motif is perfect for a cool back tattoo. The ship is often engraved together with other elements and symbols such as anchors, pirates, compasses or swords. In general, a ship tattoo represents:

• New beginning
• Luck
• independence
• bravery
• Connection with nature and water

Tattoo with dragons

Dragons are mythical creatures that are primarily associated with Far Eastern cultures. A dragon tattoo looks very exotic and majestic and there are a lot of different meanings behind it:

• Power and strength
• wisdom
• longevity
• Spirituality and calm
• prosperity
• Life and death or creation and destruction

Tattoo with noble lilies

Whether lilies, roses or other flowers - all of themFlower tattooslook elegant and adorable. The lily is one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world and is very closely linked to Christianity - Christians associate the flower with the Virgin Mary. For this reason, the tattoo lily meanings are only positive:

• Love
• purity
• innocence
• femininity
• fertility
• transience

Simple points

Have you ever wondered what three dots on the hand mean as a tattoo? Most of the time, these tattoos are associated with the criminal lifestyle and are part of the so-called prison tattoos. “Mi vida loca” means “my crazy life” in German and that is the most common 3 dot tattoo meaning. It is pricked either on the hand or near the eyes in a triangular pattern. Through this tattoo, the wearer shows that he has been in prison and lived a hard life and is still proud of himself. Since the number 3 also symbolizes the Holy Trinity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in Christianity, other people also decide to get a dot tattoo. Such a small tattoo and so many meanings that could lie behind it:

• “Mi vida loca” – my crazy life
• Faith, love, hope– these words can also be represented in the form of a cross heart anchor tattoo.
• See nothing, hear nothing, say nothing.

Lotus-Blume

In many cultures, especially in...Hinduism and Buddhism, the lotus flower has a very great meaning. But the beautiful flower is not only sacred, it looks incredibly beautiful and is a popular choice for tattoos. The meanings it can have for the wearer are as follows:

• Loyalty and purity
• perfection
• Rebirth and new beginnings
• Harmony
• Love
• innocence
• Endurance and consistency

Tattoo tear – what’s behind it?

The meaning of tattooed teardrop under the eye goes in two completely different directions. On the one hand, it symbolizes grief and loss or, as prison tattoos, it means that the wearer has committed murder. The number of tears represents the murders he committed. Celebrities who have a teardrop tattoo include Lil' Wayne and The Game. The Amy Winehouse tear tattoo represents the sadness over her husband's imprisonment and is intended to express compassion.

The meaning of the triangle

In Christianity, the triangle represents the Holy Trinity - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

• Three triangles tattoo –The three triangles that are intertwined are also known as Valknut or Walknut. This is a Viking symbol that warriors wore on the battlefield. As a tattoo, it represents bravery, power, courage and strength.
• Depending on where the tip is, the triangle tattoo meaning also changes. When the tip points upwards, it represents love, family and hope. Peaks downward usually mean sadness and loss.

Spider web tattoo meaning

Just like the dot tattoo, the spider web tattoo motif also has its origins in prison.

• Spider web on elbow meaning –The spider web tattoo is most often associated with the criminal lifestyle. The number of threads represents the years served by the wearer.
• Over the years, the spider web has become a very popular tattoo motif and can be adapted to many parts of the body, including the neck, throat or even chest. Since the net connects the threads together, one could assume that it represents the cohesion of a group and can also work well as a partner tattoo.

Diamond tattoo for men and women

The diamond has definitely been one of the hottest tattoo motifs in recent years. Whether as a single tattoo or in combination with other patterns and elements - a diamond tattoo looks beautiful and elegant and there are also many meanings behind it:

• Luxury and beauty
• Power and power
• purity
• Uniqueness and eternity
• Eternal loyalty
• Positive development
• Protection from evil
• Mut

Paper airplane tattoo

Are you adventurous and want to discover the world anew every day? Then a paper airplane tattoo would be just right for you!You can read more about the paper airplane tattoo meaning in our article.

Mandalatattoo

Mandala Tattooscome from Hinduism and Buddhism and are very trendy this year. The different symbols carry different meanings, but in general it is believed that a mandala tattoo passes on its magical power to its wearer and protects him from evil.

The popular crown for men and women

Do you feel like a queen? Then you might want to get a crown tattoo! As a motif it can be presented in a variety of ways - you can add diamonds, crystals or flowers to it. A heart with crown tattoo is also very popular among women. The crown carries the following meanings:

• Power and authority
• Luxury and wealth
• control
• loyalty

Semicolon for micro tattoos

The semicolon tattoo was made so popular by the American Amy Bleuel. In 2013 she founded “Project Semicolon”, which aims to raise society’s awareness of the issues of suicide and depression.

• The word semicolon is defined as follows: “Semicolon occupies a middle position between a period and a comma - if a comma separates too weakly and a period too strongly - the semicolon is used.” And that's exactly what it symbolizes as a tattoo: the wearer himself decides whether he wants to end the sentence, i.e. his life, or leave it open.
• Such a tiny symbol and at the same time such a powerful meaning - the semicolon tattoo stands first forHope and joy of life. Family and friends of people who have thought about or attempted suicide also wear this tattoo as a form of support.

Have the lighthouse engraved

The lighthouse tattoo is a very interesting idea for anyone who is looking for unique and beautiful tattoos with meaning. The designs are usually colorful and you can add other motifs with this theme. These can be water waves, anchors, stars, swallows, pigeons and much more. Lightning tattoo or flowers and fish go just as well. There are also many meanings behind a lighthouse tattoo:

• Schutz
• Security
• Hope
• Fate
• The lighthouse as a tattoo is intended to show the wearer the right path in life.

The meaning of the lion

The lion as the king of beasts is a beautiful and timeless classic in the world of tattoos. A lion tattoo is a symbol of an incredible number of things:

• Power and power
• Victory and grace
• wisdom
• justice
• loyalty
• Family and love

Get your umbrella stung

One of the main reasons why umbrella tattoos have become so popular recently is that they can be done in many different ways and you can customize the whole tattoo to your own taste.

• The umbrella protects us from rain and snow and therefore isSchutzprobably the most obvious umbrella tattoo meaning.
• An umbrella can also be used forTravelstand. And no – not because you always have to have an umbrella with you, but rather because it is used for flying in some books and stories. You've probably heard of Marry Poppins, haven't you?

Rainbow meaning

If you like colors, want to escape the gray everyday life and are generally a cheerful person, a rainbow tattoo is an excellent choice for you. Whether as a main element or as a background - as soon as you look at it, a rainbow puts you in a good mood. Therefore, it stands primarily forHope, happiness and love.

Raute tattoo

Snake tattoo

Arrow tattoo

Kreis Tattoo

Tattoo Marionette

Tattoo map

Olive branch tattoo

Balloon tattoo

Wine glass tattoo

Tattoo stairs

Tattoo candle

More ideas and inspiration for tattoos with meaning