There are some tattoo symbols that have established meanings, so it is worth understanding what they mean before choosing one. The anchor, for example, represents strength and stability; it is the “rock” of your life on which you can rely to help you through times of stress or crisis. The lotus is a symbol of rebirth and purity in Eastern traditions; it grows from murky water and blooms beautiful flowers above it. The wolf has always been seen as a loyal and courageous animal. Trees represent both stability and growth. But many tattoo symbols carry meaning that most people are unaware of, and it’s important to understand them before committing to use them.
And then there are those symbols that aren’t in English at all—non-English words, phrases, runes, letters, etc.—that may have an entirely different meaning depending on how they’re arranged. In fact, some runes (the older forms of Germanic alphabet) were arranged in circles. If the artist misunderstood the circle arrangement and placed the runes in a way other than intended, the entire meaning of the tattoo could be wrong. So it is important to research these designs thoroughly before getting them committed to your body.
Tattoos as personal stories
Tattoo traditions also frame every design as a storytelling medium that encodes a heritage. American Traditional tattoos, for instance, emerged out of a tradition of storytelling, showcasing a person’s heritage, their meanings, their symbolism. And tattoos are described as stories: “stories,” “memories,” “symbols” of who you are and who you aspire to become. As such, tattoos can tell a powerful personal story if grounded in a specific memory or relationship rather than generic symbols or stock images.
When I got my first tattoo—a sound wave representing my late mother saying, “Hello Raye, I love you”—it was something unique to me. When my best friend chose to get a flower tattooed by her own hand, holding in her fingers the wearer’s favorite flowers, she had created a piece of art that was deeply connected to us. Her identifying heart tattoos were visible in the piece, too. Another friend had a heather flower tattooed on her arm dedicated to her younger sister, and also covered scarring from a reaction to red ink. One of my closest friends had a post-toxic-breakup tattoo chosen to remind him of his own identity instead of trying to mimic the ex’s tattoos. Blending two or more symbols can create a unique personal story.
Developing a meaningful concept
The biggest misconception about tattoos is that you need to find the perfect design online before booking an appointment with a tattoo artist. Starting from personal reflection turns a tattoo into a personal emblem rather than just a design you choose because it looks cool.
I’ve worked closely with artists to bring together concepts for meaningful tattoos. A skilled artist can guide your concept refinement and help suggest places to put it on your body. Artists are necessary collaborators in making a tattoo work for the person it is supposed to represent, adapting it to the contours of the body, ensuring visibility, and refining placement so the tattoo functions as it is meant to.
For those wanting to go deeper with the symbolism of tattoos, there are books like John T. Allen’s “Symbolism and Meaning in Contemporary Tattoos” that examine the historical background of tattoos and their evolution in modern society.