The most popular tattoo designs: what they are and what they mean

Mandalas

Children enjoy coloring mandalas, and so do some adults. These point-symmetrical images radiate peace and harmony, which is why creating mandalas is considered a source of relaxation and harmony.

The word “mandala” comes from Sanskrit, the language of ancient India. The term describes a sacred circle around which everything revolves—in other words, a kind of center. Mandalas are considered a meditation aid in Hinduism and Buddhism. Their symmetrical arrangement is intended to create the calm necessary for meditation.

Not all mandalas are round; there are also triangular, square, and polygonal variations. Numbers and incorporated motifs give these tattoo designs their meaning:

• A circle represents the entire universe or the soul.
• A triangle combines positive and negative elements.
• A square represents the four cardinal directions, but it can also symbolize strength.
• 1 stands for the one and only God (in monotheism) or for man as an individual.
• 5 represents love and one's inner core.
• The number 8 symbolizes harmony and balance.
• An eye symbolizes the eye of the Buddhist deity, or alternatively, the inner self.
• In Hinduism, a wheel symbolizes the cyclical nature of the world, fate, but also motivation and vitality.
• A flower embodies grace.

Anchors

Anchors as tattoo motifs have their roots in seafaring, as the anchor was the identifying symbol of sailors who crossed the Atlantic. Today, the anchor symbolizes hope, faith, and home. It offers strength and support. Furthermore, the anchor can provide the support you need during difficult times, but it can also represent the person you hope will offer that support.

If you long for the sea and adventure, the anchor is also your symbol. However, it also symbolizes the hope of finding a safe haven or returning to it.

Compasses

In the age of navigation apps and smartphones, you no longer need a compass, but compasses remain popular as tattoo designs. This design also has its roots in seafaring. For sailors, a compass tattoo served as a kind of talisman. The compass was believed to protect them in treacherous waters and rough seas and guide them home. Even today, the compass remains a symbol of protection and safety, direction, and orientation.

In addition, the compass can, of course, represent a love for the sea and symbolize home. Many people also associate the compass with good luck. While a compass, as a navigational tool, always points north (with the exception of Jack Sparrow’s compass, of course), the compass on your skin points to what is important to you. This can be north, or it can be another tattoo motif, your heart, your head, or anything else. Even the most popular tattoo motifs are still individual designs to which you give meaning through their personal composition and orientation.

Roses

The rose is one of the most popular tattoo designs worldwide. Roses are timeless, always elegant, yet playful. In the past, this design symbolized femininity; sailors used to get roses tattooed to remember their wives, girlfriends, or mothers who were far away, so that they could always have their loved ones with them—at least symbolically.

Today, roses have many meanings, depending on their color:

• White roses symbolize innocence, purity, and loyalty.
• Black roses symbolize survival in difficult times and represent courage and rebellion.
• Yellow: friendship, happiness, warmth, optimism.
• Red: love, passion, sensuality.
• Orange: hope, optimism, respect, gratitude.
• Pink: beauty, elegance, youth.
• Blue: the unattainable, dreams, fascination, little secrets.

In addition to its color, the specific design of the rose is significant. Roses with thorns symbolize difficult times, while a wilted rose represents transience—and not just as a tattoo motif. In contrast, a rose with leaves symbolizes new life and happiness, as well as protection for loved ones.

Skulls

Skulls are a true classic. They have served as a reminder of transience and death in art for many centuries, and they carry exactly the same meaning as a tattoo motif. If you have had to say goodbye to a loved one or have had to fight for your survival, a skull is the perfect motif for you.

However, a skull can also symbolize a positive change in your life, as it represents the past—a time that no longer plays a role in your life and that you have left behind. In this sense, a skull is always a lucky charm that gives you strength.

Nevertheless, in some social groups, a skull tattoo is also seen as a symbol of a wild and perhaps dangerous lifestyle.

The Viking

Viking tattoos are actually sailor tattoos, because the hardy men from the north were just that. Still, the tattoo scene doesn’t just recognize the Viking himself as a tattoo motif, but also the entire Viking culture. We now know that the Norsemen themselves were also tattooed. The best-known and most popular tattoo motifs from this culture are

• The tree Yggdrasil: the tree of life connects the nine existing worlds to one another. It symbolizes faith and the interconnectedness of worlds.
• Troll cross: The Northmen were actually afraid of crosses. The troll cross is a twisted piece of metal that served as protection against evil and black magic.
• Valkyries: warrior women who decided in battle who would live and who would die. As a tattoo motif, they symbolize power and control.
• Thor, the god of thunder holding a hammer, is the protector of mankind. As a tattoo motif, both Thor and his hammer symbolize a protector.
• Aegishjalmur: the helmet of reverence is an eight-armed figure said to represent a trident. The tattoo symbolizes protection and strength.
• Odin: This god represents healing, death, and knowledge. He is often symbolized by three interlocking drinking horns.
• Vegvísir: this is the Vikings' compass. It symbolizes navigation.

Flower motifs

Flowers are a gift from nature, and we all love to give them as gifts. Originally, beautiful blossoms symbolized youth and beauty. Today, flowers used as tattoo designs represent a connection to nature, playfulness, and creativity. The current trend is to assign a flower to each birth month. Note that there are different systems, and the flowers have different additional meanings depending on the system!

• January: carnations (love, friendship)
• February: violets (mindfulness, loyalty, modesty)
• March: daffodils (new beginnings, courage, politeness)
• April: daisies (happiness, simplicity)
• May: Lilies of the valley (chaste love, humility)
• June: roses
• July: delphiniums (enthusiasm, open-heartedness, lightness)
• August: gladiolus (honesty, strong character)
• September: asters (wisdom, courage)
• October: marigolds (sympathy, compassion)
• November: chrysanthemums (optimism, loyalty, happiness)
• December: poinsettias (a desire to celebrate, success)

Hearts

Hearts, of course, always symbolize love and affection. But what about a broken heart? That heart symbolizes sadness, pain, and loss. On the other hand, a winged heart symbolizes freedom and independence, whereas a Celtic heart (a tribal-style heart) symbolizes unity and strength. A bleeding heart represents loneliness and hurt, while a burning heart represents passion.

When a burning heart is combined with an anchor and a cross, you have a triad of faith, love, and hope on your skin. This motif is also known as the “sailor’s grave” and is a true classic.

A heart with a lock symbolizes the bond between lovers, with the other person usually holding the key. Couples often have one half of the heart engraved, in which case they are likely in a long-distance relationship. A heart with a dagger symbolizes conflict, but also courage and bravery. On the other hand, an anatomical heart symbolizes endurance and strength.

Dragons

As mystical creatures, dragons appear in both Norse and Asian mythology. In the West, dragons are often seen as evil, whereas in Asia they are saviors and essential to the natural balance. However, as a tattoo motif, dragons have, so to speak, transcended their original meanings, taking on many other interpretations over the centuries:

• An individual's inner struggle
• Lucky charm
• Guardians of treasures and/or secrets
• Jealousy
• Revenge
• Power
• Strength
• Protection
• Family
• A long life

The last three meanings are inspired by Japanese dragons, which, incidentally, are water creatures and, in mythology, are regarded as the antagonist to the tiger (fire and desert).

Grand pianos

Wings belong to angels and birds, but a single wing often appears as a tattoo motif. A tattoo like this can symbolize many different things:

• Loss (often following the death of a loved one)
• Freedom and independence
• Superiority
• Strength
• Courage
• Peace
• The divine (according to Christian culture)

If a symbol is incorporated between two wings, the meaning of the tattoo arises from the interplay of all the motifs.

Semicolons

Apparently, punctuation marks should only be used as tattoo designs by linguists. Not at all! A semicolon symbolizes a self-determined path in life and gives people hope in extreme situations like no other symbol. It is so small and unobtrusive that it can be worn on almost any part of the body.

Triangles

Triangles are the most popular tattoo designs today. A triangle represents the elements; when its point faces downward, it symbolizes fire and energy. If the point faces downward, it represents air and time. For Harry Potter fans, a triangle has a meaning that you’d better discover for yourself in the books.

As a Christian motif, a triangle symbolizes the Trinity of God. In addition, it can also represent the past, present, and future. A triangle also represents the triad of mind, body, and soul.