50+ Meaningful Tattoo Ideas

A tattoo is not simply a fashion icon but carries special meanings for a lot of people. Tattoo designs normally embodies symbolic symbols developed in the long run of history.

Some symbols are unique in certain cultures and religions. Some tattoos are quite personal although the elements in that tattoo could be interpreted with their generic meanings. For example, Polynesian tattoos of Maori people use them to connect the wearer to their whakapapa (genealogy). Some tattoos are for remembrance of important days or people for somebody.

So you want to get a tattoo? The first question you will have to ask – what’s the meaning of your tattoo idea? Cuded has separately published a number of posts on tattoos with meanings. Please enjoy the summary of 50+ meaningful tattoo ideas, which I hope you will find inspiration.

Hibiscus Tattoo

Hibiscus has been the representation of many nations: Hibiscus syriacus is the national flower of South Korea, and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is the national flower of Malaysia. The hibiscus is the national flower of the Republic of Haiti. The red hibiscus is the flower of the Hindu goddess Kali.

music crazy micro tattoo

Excellent collaboration of music elements, notes, micro, etc.

steampunk tattoo

A realistic tattoo to demonstrate the mechanical and retro inspired design.

bird tattoo_on_chest_by_Xoil

Bird tattoo in watercolor style

Realistic trash polka

graffiti style on the canvas of human body

calendar cards

A creative way to remember the important dates

Religious design tattoo, with clouds and cherubs

Red rose tattoo ideas

Red rose represents Love, Beauty and Romantic Love.

Poppy flower tattoo

Poppies have long been used as a symbol of sleep, peace, and death. Red poppies have become a symbol of remembrance of soldiers who have died during wartime.

Black lily flower tattoo

In Christianity, the lily symbolizes chastity and purity of Virgin Mary.

red tulip tattoo

One of the most popular flowers in Europe in 17th century. Red tulip symbolizes true love.

gladiola tattoo

The Gladioli is a flower that grows in the Mediterranean part of Europe, it also can be found in Tropical Africa, Asia, and South Africa. Gladiolus flowers represent sincerity and strength of character.

lotus tattoo ideas

The lotus flower represents purification and faithfulness in Buddhism as it grows from a murky water, while rising and blooming above the murk to achieve enlightenment.

cherry blossom tattoo

A Cherry blossom is a kind of flower that is fading and withered very quickly. In the Japanese culture, this represents the transience of life, which is often associated with Buddhism influence that states all life is suffering and transitory.

Celtic Rose Cross tattoo

Celtic Cross tattoo is one of religious tattoos, which is the symbol of Christianity. When it is integrated with rose, it gives additional meaning – love.

Angel wings tattoo ideas

Angel wings are the main attribute of angel, which is the messenger of God in human form. Angel tattoo is another religeous tattoo for expressing love of God.

Jesus Chirst tattoo

Jesus Chirst tattoo is to express the belief and love of God, and his greatest sacrifice.

buddhist tattoo

Buddhism is one of the oldest religions in east Asia. Buddhist tattoo is an expression of the belief of Buddha or Buddhism.

knot tattoo

The endless knot is a symbol for family ties, marriage and it symbolizes union, and eternal bonds of devotion.

Demon tattoo

A demon is considered an unclean spirit, sometimes a fallen angel, the spirit of a deceased human in the Abrahamic traditions, including ancient and medieval Christian demonology.

Aztec tattoo

Aztec tattoo reminds people of Aztec civilization in the territory of Mexico before the Spanish conquest of the 16th century.

Gemini tattoo

Gemini is an astrological sign. It is related to the mythological twins Castor and Pollux.

Polynesian tribal tattoo

Maori inspired tattoos – favorite design for people of Pacific island, probably mysterious for other people.

koi fish tattoo

In Chinese language, fish has the same pronunciation of abundance. Koi fish is one of popular dishes for many families in the meal of Luna Year holiday.

Geisha tattoo

flowers butterflies tribal tat

In some cultures, butterfly means soul or mind. In Japanese culture if a butterfly enters your guestroom, the person whom you most love is coming to see you.

3D butterfly tattoo

Dragon Tattoo

In Chinese culture, people worship dragon for rain and better weather for good harvest. In Japanese culture the dragon is also a symbol of supernatural powers.

Dragon Tattoo

In Western cultures, dragons tend to be portrayed as embodiments of evil that destroy villages and guard hoards of treasure.

Phoenix Tattoo

People love phoenix tattoo either because of its original beauty attribute or symbolic meaning of the legendary bird, which represents rebirth, strength, longevity.

birds tattoo

skull tattoo

This tattoo features two skulls in Gothic watercolor style. Skull is a popular tattoo idea as it has rich meanings, such as the vessel of the soul, wisdom of ancestors, death or eternal.

skull rose tattoo

Skull rose tattoo combines the meanings of both skull and rose, which represents eternal love.

Feather tattoo ideas

A single fallen feather represents loss, birth, and luck. Eagle feathers have great cultural and spiritual value to American Indians, which symbolizes their celestial wisdom and communication with Spirit.

Dreamcatcher tattoo

A dreamcatcher, is a hoop containing a web or net, decorated with feathers and beads, which is believed to bring good dreams to its owner. Good dreams are allowed to go through the hole in the web and bad dreams are caught and trapped in the web.

elephant tattoo

An elephant is a heavy plant-eating mammal with symbolic meanings. An elephant is primarily connected to strength, honor, stability and patience.

wolf tattoo

The wild carnivorous mammal wolf conveys symbolic meanings of Sharp intelligence, deep connection with instincts and Appetite for freedom.

eagle tattoo

The eagle is loved by people as it’s a symbol of freedom. The bald eagle was chosen as the emblem of the United States of America.

star tattoo

An star tattoo may stand for hope, goals, protection, safe.

rose compass tattoo

Compass rose tattoo is such a maritime tattoo that used to be popular for sailors and now is loved by many people for its symbolic meaning – guidance in the right direction.

anchor tattoo

Anchor reminds people of stability, safety and hope. An anchor entangled with roses tattoo means protected love.

Scissor tattoo

knife tattoo

Dali melted clock

Armband tattoo

A black armband is usually a symbol that signifies mourning.

Red Ribbon Tattoo

The red ribbon has several different meanings in different contexts. It is a symbol for drunk driving prevention, drug prevention, and for the fight against AIDS.