Tattoos With A Hidden Meaning

Semicolon

Gaining popularity in the past decade, the semicolon tattoo is a popular suicide prevention and awareness tattoo. Semicolon tattoo meanings draw from the punctuation mark’s role in any grammatical sentence, indicating a pause and then continuance. It is often used to show a period of hardship and poor mental health followed by a sense of perseverance. 

Infinity Sign

This popular tattoo that looks a lot like a figure eight turned on its side can represent endless possibilities, as well as regrowth and renewal and the interconnectedness of all things. It can also mean eternal love and connection, so it can make great symbol tattoos with secret meanings for couples. 

Yin and Yang

This round design, known as the “taijitu” in Chinese, is constructed of two curved teardrop shapes formed into an interlocking circle. The symbol for these tattoo meanings represents the balance and unity of opposing forces and elements. Typically one side is shaded and the other left unshaded, which reflects the balance of light and darkness. 

Owl

Owls show tattoo meanings of wisdom and intuition, as well as protection and luck. These tattoos can be rendered in a fun retro vintage owl style as a nod to the 60s and 70s or more naturalistic photographic images of owls in nature, either perched or in flight. They can also be associated with secret knowledge and femininity.

Flowers

Like birds, flower tattoos can vary in meaning depending on the flower. They may be richly colored or spare and sketch-like. They may be highly detailed or rendered in a more traditional vintage tattoo-lined style. Common popular flowers include roses, peonies, lavender, daisies, poppies and violets. Whole roses, particularly red ones, and lush peonies often represent passion. Smaller flowers can represent joy and happiness, though some can serve as a memorial for lost friends and loved ones. Flowers can also take their tattoo meanings according to what they surround and are in proximity to. 

Broken Chain

Chain tattoos with a broken segment or link can often be a single tattoo or part of a larger multi-image design. Historically, they have tattoo meanings for breaking free from hard circumstances like slavery, addiction or toxic or abusive relationships.  

Barbed Wire

These tattoos usually wrap around parts of the body like arms or legs. They represent strength, endurance or overcoming a sense of hardship in life. It can also be associated with imprisonment, injustice or oppression.

Moon Phases

A tattoo representation of the moon phases connects to the celestial world and the divine feminine often associated with the moon’s natural cycle. Lunar tattoos can be as simple as a line of moons in various phases or as part of a larger image with other related symbols like luna moths and renderings of the sun. Moons and other celestial objects provide many tattoo meanings for women.

Birds

Bird tattoos come with many tattoo meanings depending on the variety of bird, as well as how its rendered. For example, the bird could either be perched, caged or flying. A tattoo of a raven or a crow may find its symbolism as a representation of cleverness or the dark side, while a swallow may indicate a connection to the afterlife as psychopomps, creatures who help ferry spirits. Hummingbird tattoos can represent a passion for love and sweetness or represent fleetingness and beauty. 

Compass

Compass tattoos can vary in design, but most represent themes of guidance and direction, as well as adventure, exploration and safe travel. They can also show life transitions and spiritual direction. Popular compass tattoo meanings for men include journey and return.