I recently had the pleasure of getting my first tattoo. It’s small, but it means something to me. I wanted it to mean something to me. But for all of the planning and research I did beforehand, I still found myself wondering if I’d made the right choice.
And then I realized that I had absolutely no idea what I was doing.
I’ve never gotten a tattoo before. And even though I spent hours researching, looking at photos, reading articles, watching videos, and asking people questions about tattoos, I really didn’t have any idea how to choose the right design for my body art.
So I started over from scratch.
It took me two weeks, but eventually I got to the point where I had an actual design in mind. I knew exactly what I wanted, and I knew exactly where I wanted it. And after that, it was just a matter of finding someone who could do it.
But along the way, I learned quite a bit about what makes a tattoo meaningful to someone. And since many of you are on the same journey as I am, I thought I’d share what I learned with you…
What Makes a Tattoo Meaningful?
When most people start thinking about getting a tattoo, they usually begin by searching for inspiration. They look through pictures of tattoos online, and they try to find one that speaks to them.
That’s a great place to start. But when you get to the point where you’re actually trying to decide which tattoo you want, there’s a big difference between simply liking a design, and knowing that it means something to you.
There’s a huge difference between wanting a tattoo and having one that actually reflects who you are. So how do you figure out what kind of tattoo will mean something to you? Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why people end up getting tattoos.
Grief and Loss
One of the most powerful reasons people get tattoos is because of grief and loss. Whether it’s a beloved pet or a loved one, these types of tattoos often reflect deep sorrow, love, and appreciation.
A few years ago, I lost my childhood cat, Angel. She was the best cat I ever had, and she was very special to me. After her passing, I wanted a tattoo that could honor her in a way that felt specific.
Of course, I liked the idea of a cat skull, but I also wanted it to represent Angel specifically. So I came back later and brought my own sketch with me, and we worked together to make it perfect. The result is this:
This isn’t just a random cat skull. This is Angel. And every detail has meaning. That chipped tooth on the left side represents her mischievous nature.
And while it’s a beautiful design, it doesn’t stop there.
The sound wave represents the sound of her purring.
Other times, grief and loss can lead to tattoos that aren’t necessarily specific to a person or pet. For example, I know a guy who had his mother pass away several years ago. He was 16 at the time, and he was devastated. So when he got older, he decided that he wanted a tattoo that would remind him of his late mother.
He found a sound wave tattoo that he really liked, and he brought it to his artist. His artist asked him what he wanted written inside of the sound wave, and he said “nothing.” Then the artist asked him, “What do you remember saying to your mom?” He said, “She always said ‘Hello Raye, I love you.’” And that was all it took for the artist to create the perfect design for him.
Close Relationships and Friendship
Some people get tattoos that represent their close relationships and friendships. These tattoos are especially popular among women, but they can certainly be done for men as well.
For example, I have a friend who drew a picture for me, and then gave it to me as a gift. In the drawing, her hand is holding my favorite flowers (which are lilacs), and I’m standing behind her. She said that it was supposed to represent how much she loves me, and how she feels like she’s always been there for me. Since then, she’s gotten a heart tattooed on each of her hands, and I’m pretty sure she’ll include those in her design someday.
Another woman I know has a tattoo of her best friend’s hand holding hers. Her friend is a very outgoing person, and she’s always been a presence in her life. She likes to say that her friend is always with her, even when she’s not physically present.
Personal Identity
Sometimes tattoos are used to represent personal identity. There are so many different ways that people use tattoos to mark important moments in their lives. Breakups, births, deaths, engagements, weddings, graduation, etc. These are all events that change us, and sometimes people want a permanent reminder of themselves during those changes.
For example, I know a girl who had a toxic relationship. She broke up with her boyfriend, and then decided she wanted to get a tattoo to remind herself of who she was. She ended up getting a simple black rose, and she says it’s a reminder to her that she doesn’t need to rely on anyone else for validation.
Family Bonds
Family bonds are another reason people get tattoos. Sometimes it’s because of a family tradition, like getting a tattoo on a certain date. Other times, it’s because of a family member who inspired or influenced them. Or it could be because of a milestone, like graduating high school or college, or getting married.
My sister-in-law got her first tattoo at age 18. She had always loved flowers, and she decided that she wanted to get a tattoo of heather flowers. Heather is her favorite flower, and she also dedicated it to her little sister. She got it done, and she looked amazing.
Then, a few years later, she decided that she wanted to cover-up her old tattoo. She had gotten a red ink allergic reaction, and the scarring was very noticeable. So she decided to go back to the original artist and ask if he could redo it, but this time using blue ink. He agreed, and now her new tattoo looks like this:
It’s beautiful, and it’s exactly what she wanted. But it also covers up the scarring that was left from the allergic reaction to the previous tattoo.
Long-Held Passions
Some people get tattoos because of long-held passions. For example, I love books, and I love fictional characters, and I love fandoms. So when I got my first tattoo, I wanted it to represent my love of books. I didn’t want to spend money on a flash design, so I searched for ideas until I found one that spoke to me.
Here’s what I ended up with:
I love this design, and I think it’s beautiful. But it wasn’t a symbolic design that represented something that happened in my life. I just love this design, and I wanted to have it on my body forever. So I went ahead and got it.
I also love comic book strips, so I wanted to incorporate that into my design. I found a comic book strip that I really liked, and I brought it to my artist. We worked together to make it perfect, and here’s what I ended up with:
I love it! I love the style of it, and I love the fact that it’s a comic book strip. I think it’s beautiful.
I also love Spider-Man / Peter Parker. He’s always held a special place in my nerdy heart, and I love the fact that he’s always going to be on my leg forever.
And honestly, not every tattoo has to come from some huge symbolic revelation. Sometimes you’ve been wanting one for a while, you see a flash design you adore, and you realize you’re tired of waiting for the “right idea.” That can be enough too.
Shared Relationship Milestones
Tattoos are also a great way to commemorate shared relationship milestones. Some people get matching tattoos, while others don’t. Either way, these tattoos serve as a reminder of the bond that exists between two people.
One couple I know got tattoos together. Their relationship began when they met at work, and they dated for one month before they decided to get tattoos together. Here’s what they ended up with:
They’re both very proud of their tattoos, and they’re thrilled that they got them together. They’re hoping to celebrate their marriage with matching tattoos sometime soon.
How to Find a Design That Actually Means Something to You
Finding the right tattoo design for you is a process. And for most people, it takes a lot more than looking at hundreds of pictures online to determine what you want.
If you’re looking for a tattoo, I encourage you to follow this multi-step ideation and inspiration guide:
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Decide whether or not you want a tattoo. If you don’t want a tattoo, then there’s no need to continue. If you do want a tattoo, move on to step two.
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Determine whether you want a symbolic tattoo, an aesthetic tattoo, or both. Symbolic tattoos usually represent something important in your life, such as a relationship, a loss, a memory, or a moment in time. Aesthetic tattoos are usually designs that you just happen to love, regardless of what they symbolize.
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Determine the type of tattoo you want. Traditional tattoos are usually limited to black and gray, but they’re also known for being bold, colorful, and dramatic. Japanese tattoos are often large and intricate, and they usually feature dragons, koi fish, and other traditional Japanese symbols. Minimalist tattoos are typically smaller and simpler, and they usually feature a single line or color. Geometric tattoos are usually bold, angular, and stylized, and they often feature triangles, circles, squares, and other geometric shapes. Watercolor tattoos are usually colorful and free-flowing, and they often feature flowers, animals, and other natural elements.
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Determine the theme of your tattoo. Are you interested in a tattoo that features a specific subject, like a flower, a bird, or a tree? Do you want a tattoo that represents a specific emotion, like happiness, sadness, or love? Or are you interested in a tattoo that represents a specific event, like a birth, a death, a breakup, or a wedding?
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Once you’ve determined what you want, search for designs that match your criteria. Use sites like tattoo inspiration sites to find designs that fit your criteria. Search by style, subject, and/or keyword. You can also filter your results by size, price, and availability.
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When you find a design that you like, print it out and bring it to your artist. Show him/her what you like, and ask him/her for suggestions. Don’t be afraid to ask him/her to tweak the design so that it fits your body better.
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When you’re ready, schedule an appointment with your artist. Make sure you have a clear idea of what you want, and be prepared to answer questions about your design. Your artist should ask you questions about your design, and you should be prepared to answer them.
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Once you’ve scheduled your appointment, be sure to arrive early. Arriving early gives you plenty of time to talk to your artist about your design, and it also allows you plenty of time to relax before your tattoo is complete.
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Be patient with your artist. Getting a tattoo is a process, and it takes time. Your artist may need to redraw your design, adjust the lines, add details, and make other modifications to your design. Be patient with your artist, and trust that he/she will do everything possible to ensure that your tattoo turns out the way you want it to.
Finding the right tattoo design for you is a process, but it’s definitely worth the effort. With a little patience, determination, and creativity, you’ll find the perfect tattoo design for you.