11. Eye of Horus
In ancient Egyptian lore, Horus was the love child of Osiris (who was brought back from the dead) and Isis. He got revenge for his father’s death, losing his eye in the process. His sight was restored with a magic eye. One of the most common interpretations of this tattoo is a reawakening of your health. It can also be seen as dominating over your enemies.
12. Kwatakye Atiko (also called Gyawu Atiko)
This is an adinkra symbol from the Ghana culture. This West African symbol is said to be the hairstyle of an Asante war hero. It represents bravery and fearlessness. Tattoo meanings featuring this symbol indicates someone who is brave, truthful, and honorable. A soldier would be a great example.
13. Eye of Providence
This is a famous symbol you often see in art and fashion. While it is very recognizable, many people don’t know its meaning. It symbolizes the eye of God and represents the fact that God has his eye on his people. It’s one of the more obvious tattoo meanings you’ll come across.
14. Sword
Sword tattoos are popular because they’re just really cool, but many people don’t know what a sword (or a sword tattoo) represents. The most obvious representation is a warrior or a knight, but it’s a little deeper than that. It represents honor, chivalry, strength, power, authority, and protection. It can also express the desire for justice.
15. The Chinese Symbol for Friendship
Chinese symbols are extremely popular for tattoos. However, some people get them without knowing the meaning. Chinese characters themselves don’t necessarily have a “deep” meaning. They are a part of the Mandarin language. However, if you pair it with some other symbol or intricate design, it could represent deep tattoo meanings for the person wearing it.
16. Bald Eagle Tattoos
As the national bird of the United States, the bald eagle symbolizes freedom and the ability to soar to new heights. A bald eagle tattoo is a way to show American patriotism. It’s also a way to indicate that the person is determined to be the best they can be in life.
17. Turtle
You may not have ever thought of getting a turtle tattoo unless you’re into The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. However, in Native American culture, a turtle is a spirit animal representing good health and long life. This makes sense because turtles can live for hundreds of years.
18. The Blessing
This is a Wiccan symbol that represents the blessing of the moon goddess. It’s similar to the more popular Triple Goddess symbol; the three teardrops represent the Mother, the Maiden, and the Crone, just as the Triple Goddess symbol does.
19. The Pentacle
Some people mistakenly associate this symbol with evil or dark magic. It is actually a symbol of protection. This represents the four elements, and the fifth star point represents the wearer.
20. Egyptian Scarab
In modern times, people see the beetle as a destructive creature associated with villains or evil. In ancient Egypt, the scarab represented renewal and rebirth. They were also related to the rebirth of the sun each day. As a tattoo, it can be a symbol of spiritual rejuvenation for the wearer.
Tattoos are an art form that is only limited by the skill of the tattoo artist. More often than not, people get tattoos that represent personal tattoo meanings. However, it helps to know what certain symbols or images mean historically or culturally so the tattoo can make sense.
If you’re looking for something that hasn’t been done a million times, these 20 tattoo meanings and symbols are a great place to start. Not only have you sparked some new ideas by reading this, but you’ve increased your knowledge. Hopefully, this information has helped sparked your creativity for your next tattoo.