Meanings of common tattoo designs
Anchor tattoo
: Safety, hope, salvation.
Angel tattoo
: Protector, guardian, keeper of dreams
Ankh tattoo
: Ancient Egyptian symbol. Represents life.
Bat tattoo
: Longevity, happiness, mystery, rebirth
Bear tattoo
: Good nature, good luck, ignorance, self-reflection
Bird tattoo
: Birth, intuition, freedom.
Bull tattoo
: Fertility, power, strength.
Butterfly tattoo :
Spiritual immortality, temporary element of life.
Cat tattoo :
Linked to magic and bad omens.
Centaur tattoo
: Knowledge and nature, spirit of womanhood.
Chain tattoo
: Freedom if broken. Slavery if intact.
Clown tattoo :
Laughter, tears, uncertainties.
Clover tattoo
: Good luck.
Crescent moon tattoo
: Transformation and rebirth. Feminine power
Cross tattoo
: Sacrifice, love, salvation, religious symbolism
Crow tattoo
: Revival, Gods messenger.
Devil (baby) tattoo
: Mischievousness, urgent desire for sex.
Dog tattoo
: Man's best friend, loyalty, trustworthy.
Dolphin tattoo
: Benefactor, the saviour's emblem.
Dove tattoo
: Universal symbol for peace.
Dragon tattoo
: Strength, power, rules over fire and air.
Dragonfly tattoo
: Affinity with the Spiritual Life. Illusion.
Eagle tattoo
: King of birds. Might, spiritual growth.
Eye tattoo :
Self protection. Ever watching.
Fairy tattoo :
Good or evil supernatural powers.
Feather tattoo
: Creativity, rebirth and spiritual elevation.
Fish tattoo
: Abundance, spiritual peace.
Frog tattoo
: Positive symbol of pregnancy.
Hawk tattoo (tribal)
: Self-discipline.
Heart tattoo
: Love, provided it is neither bloody nor torn into pieces.
Horse tattoo
: Friend to man, kingship.
Koi tattoo
: Brave, symbol of worldly aspiration & advancement. There
is also a Chinese legend that tells of how any koi that succeeded
in climbing the falls at a point called Dragon gate would be transformed
into a dragon.
Leaf tattoo
: Joy, rebirth
Lion tattoo
: Might, awareness, immortality, bravery.
Lizard tattoo
: Soul searching for light.
Lotus tattoo
: If open symbolises the sun, if closed, the moon.
Mermaid tattoo
: Temptation, seduction, materialism
Monkey tattoo :
Wisdom, knowledge, or evil powers.
Moon tattoo
: Varied rhythms of life.
Phoenix tattoo
: Rebirth
Reaper tattoo
: Death
Rose tattoo
: Fertility.
Scarab tattoo :
Strength and rebirth.
Shark tattoo
: Power & Fearlessness.
Skull tattoo
: Courage, death.
Snake tattoo
: Temptation, knowledge and wisdom.
Spider tattoo
: Creativity.
Spider Web tattoo
: Denial of established order. Beware.
Star tattoo
: Spirit, inspiration, lucky charms, resolution of problems.
Sun tattoo :
Sacredness of life. Warmth, nurturing.
Sword tattoo
: Justice, honour, energy.
Tiger tattoo
: Ferocious, strength, power, courage, royalty
Turtle tattoo :
Fertility, long life.
Unicorn tattoo
: Chastity, purity.
Wings tattoo
: Spiritual, magical
Wolf tattoo :
Faithful in marriage, also a loner, fierce, deadly
YinYang tattoo
: Harmony and totality.