Tattoos have been around for thousands of years, going further back than ancient Egypt. They are a form of self-expression that just about everyone has an opinion about, but as time and society have moved changed, the reasons and meaning behind getting them have expanded. Some people say that you should only put something permanent on yourself if it is significant to you. Many times, tattoos are meaningful, but do they have to be?

Every tattoo will have some meaning for the wearer. Sometimes, just the act of getting tattooed significant enough because of the time and place it represents in your life. It is generally a good idea to take some time to consider why you want one just so there are no regrets

With that in mind, you may like the idea of a tattoo as a form of self-expression, but you are not sure what you want to get or whether it is important enough to you to permanently ink onto your skin. Take a look below to see what makes a tattoo meaningful for other people, how to make a tattoo meaningful for you, and perhaps spark some ideas for a tattoo(s) that are unique and special for you.

Why Do People Get Tattoos?

The short answer to this question is that it is a form of self-expression, but that is a bit too simple as what a person is trying to express is as unique as the person themselves. Some reasons which influence why people may get a tattoo include:

Culture

There are some cultures where tattoos are simply as much a part of being in that culture as eating certain types of foods.

For example, the Maori tribe in New Zealand has tattoos both to show they are part of that tribe and to indicate the rank each person has in that society. Many Native American tribes had tribal tattoos for the same reasons as the Maori tribe, in addition to reasons of magic and protection.

There are also subcultures where although getting tattoos is not intrinsically part of that culture, a person will get a tattoo to identify themselves as part of a group. Some examples of this are gangs or fandoms of certain bands or TV shows.

Appearance

Some people simply like the way tattoos look. Perhaps a tattoo design caught their eye, and they wanted it to be associated with them, their appearance, and their style.

Other people get tattoos as a way to identify and separate themselves from those around them. Tattoos are eye-catching, especially if they are unique, you have a lot of them, or they are colorful. They are a way to share who you are without necessarily saying anything at all.

Cosmetic Cover Ups

Sometimes people have scars, stretch marks, skin discoloration, or other things about their body that they are insecure about. Instead of getting plastic surgery to try and “fix” what they think is wrong, they may choose to incorporate the scar into a tattoo or use a colorful tattoo to cover up a blemish or discoloration.

Personal Meaning

Probably the most obvious reason for getting a tattoo is to have something of permanence to mark something significant to you or about you. For some, it is the birth of a child; maybe it is to honor a loved one who passed away. It could even be something as simple as a quote from your favorite book or a symbol of a value you hold dear.

What is a Meaningful Tattoo?

A meaningful tattoo is anything important enough to you that you are willing to have it be a permanent part of your appearance. What is meaningful to one person may not mean much to another person, or perhaps it means just as much, but they choose to express how important it is differently.

Some people just choose to honor something in their life by giving it a place on their body, and its meaningfulness is evident because of its permanence.

Meaningful (and Unique) Tattoo Ideas and Inspiration

Often when a person finds a concept that they find meaningful enough that they are willing to commit to a tattoo, the next phase they get stuck in is how to make it unique for them.

The following will address general things many people find meaningful to give you some ideas to work with. Perhaps it will also help spark your creativity as you explain your idea to your tattoo artist, and they can work with you to make it one of a kind.

For a Child

Many parents love the idea of celebrating the birth of their children by getting a tattoo, and there are so many tattoo options for this, including the following:

A tattoo of your child’s name and the date and time of their birth: Some people like simple, and this is one way to do it. Not only can you adjust the size to make it as obvious or low-key as you want, but it is the type of tattoo that can be placed on just about any area of the body. It is also ideal if you have multiple children to keep it fair, instead of having a large tattoo for one child and a smaller one for the others.
A tattoo of your child’s handprint or footprint: This is a really sweet way to celebrate your child. Instead of keeping their hand and footprints tucked away in an album pulled out once a year, you can have it right there whenever you glance down to remind you of how little they were and just how fast they are growing.
A tattoo symbolizing the meaning of their name: Many people choose names for their children because of the meaning of the name. For those parents who want to honor their children but also want to have a unique tattoo, they could choose a symbol connected to the meaning of their child’s name. For example, the name Sarah means “princess.” Someone with a child whose name is Sarah could get a tattoo of a crown.
A tattoo expressing a parent’s love: There are many beautiful ways to do this. Some parents will get tattoos of animal parents such as birds are elephants with their young. Other parents may choose an interlocking symbol such as an infinity symbol with their children’s names intertwining. Others have chosen to make their children’s names as the stem and leaves of a flower stalk. There are truly so many options to create from.
A tattoo of something your child loves: Many children have deep and long-lasting interests. Maybe they love trains, rockets, or dinosaurs. Pick one of them as a tattoo. It will show your child that you listen to them and are interested in them and their interests.

To Honor Someone Who is Gone

Many people choose to get a tattoo as a memorial of sorts for a loved one who has passed away. There is honestly no right or wrong option when it comes to this type of tattoo, but here are some ideas that other people gravitate toward:

Their name, date of birth, and date of death: This gives a kind of tombstone effect. For some people, it may be too sad, but for those who want something simple and dignified, this is a good option. There are also ways to make this unique such as using Roman Numerals in place of the numbers.
A heart: Hearts are universally loved as tattoos. While it may seem cliché to get one, there are ways to make the design or appearance unique, and using it in conjunction with the name of a loved one who is no longer here can be a very meaningful tribute.
Angel wings: Some people find comfort in the belief that their loved one is still out there watching over them, and angel wings are a reminder of that.
A religious sign or symbol: People often find comfort in faith after they lose someone they love. Such symbols as the cross in the Christian faith, the lotus in Hinduism, and the Menorah in Judaism are all symbols that can be turned into tattoos.
Heartbeat: The heartbeat, as shown on a monitor, is a really lovely and moving way to remember a loved one.
Birds or feathers: Birds and feathers are often seen as light and free and are used to bring comfort that a loved one is free from physical pain or illness.
A quote: The great thing about using a quote is that it can be from anything—a poem, a book, a play, a movie. It can be multiple lines or single words. It can be funny or serious, sweet or goofy. All that is important is that it means something and that you think of the person whenever you look at it.

If all else fails, you can actually combine any of the above ideas into one that is uniquely your own and will uniquely honor your loved one. Be sure to ask your tattoo artist for help if you aren’t sure how to bring them together.

As a Reminder

There are many ways that a tattoo can be a reminder of something. One of the most poignant and widespread examples is Project Semicolon: an organization whose goal it is to provide support to those with mental health struggles—to normalize what they’re going through and remind them that the way they’re feeling at their worst moment won’t last and to not give up.

To Express an Interest

Tattoos are often used as a way to align yourself with something or to say, “Hey, I like this thing so much.” For example, if you like the look of a phoenix and also happen to enjoy the Harry Potter series, you may want a tattoo of the mythical creature.

There are many examples of people choosing to get tattoos of their fandoms and interests, and there is no shortage of ideas. A great place to start is this article which includes some ideas for well-known fandoms as well as more niche or close-knit and smaller fandoms. Some ideas they listed include:

Tattoos for Doctor Who fans: Why not get a tattoo of the Tardis or the famous “wibbly wobbly timey wimey” quote?
Tattoos for Harry Potter fans: There are so many to choose from and make unique to you, but some favorites include Severus Snape’s “Always” quote and the deathly hallows symbol.
Tattoos for Game of Thrones fans: There is always the classic “Winter is Coming” quote. Or, if you’d rather have a design, you can get the extremely cool House Stark symbol of the dire wolf.
Tattoos for Star Wars fans: For the diehard Star Wars fans, there is the Alliance Starbird or the Rebel Alliance ship.
Dungeons and Dragons (DnD): For those who love the role-playing game, what cooler way to share that interest with others than by getting a tattoo of the iconic 20-sided dice?

What Are Lucky and Unlucky Tattoos?

Maybe you are a little superstitious, or as Michael Scott put it, a little “stitious.” Maybe you are not superstitious, but you like putting positive energy or good vibes out in the world. Maybe you like to be tongue in cheek and play around with what most people consider bad luck. Perhaps, you like historic trivia and want a tattoo that could be a good conversation starter.

If any of those fit you, look at the following tattoo concepts to create a tattoo that fits your quirky side:

Lucky Tattoos

If you just want to promote a good feeling and luck out into the world, below are some really awesome options for you:

Four-leaf clover tattoo: Having roots in the Irish culture, the four-leaf clover, which is rare and difficult to find, is thought to bring good luck to the person who finds it.
Elephant tattoo: The elephant is the form the Hindu god Ganesha takes. Additionally, they are seen as symbols of health, wealth, and love.
Acorn tattoo: In Norse mythology, acorns were associated with the god Thor. It was believed that Thor avoided sending thunder and lightning directly to acorns. As such, they became a symbol of safety.
Ankh tattoo: This ancient Egyptian symbol is associated with the life-giving power of the gods.
Bamboo tattoo: Prevalent in southeast Asia and Africa, bamboo is believed to promote good energy.
Dreamcatcher tattoo: Dreamcatchers are used in Native American cultures and are believed to capture nightmares.
Key tattoo: Keys are seen as a symbol of two people opening themselves up to romantic love.

Unlucky Tattoos

There are so many tattoos that have their roots in unlucky concepts. Some of these ideas are centuries old, others are newer, but all are very interesting and can make for a good conversation starter if that’s your goal. Some ideas include:

Black cat tattoo: The concept of a black cat being bad luck has its roots in pirate culture.
Broken mirror tattoo: Many cultures worldwide, such as in India and Russia, consider a broken mirror a symbol of bad luck. The concept has ancient roots going back to the time of the Roman empire.
Magpie tattoo: Magpies' appearance, and the fact that they are often seen around graveyards or hospitals, has given them the reputation of bringing bad luck.
Number tattoo: Specifically, the numbers 4 and 9. The Chinese word for 4 sounds very much like the Chinese word for death. Meanwhile, in Japan, the word for 9 sounds very much like the Japanese word for suffering or torture.
A 666 tattoo: In the Bible, the number 666 is the mark of the beast, who is the harbinger and principal symbol of the world coming to an end.
Inverted horseshoe tattoo: A horseshoe that is right side up (in a U-shape) was seen as something which warded off demons or evil spirits. It naturally follows that horseshoe in a lowercase N-shape was seen as the opposite and a sign of bad luck.
Ouija board tattoo. While often played for fun, Ouija boards' initial purpose was to communicate with the dead. As such, some people thought they invited evil spirits back.

Final Thoughts

Tattoos have been around for thousands of years. From ancient Egypt to Indigenous cultures in New Zealand and the Americas, they have found their place in cultures and people groups worldwide. As time has gone by, they have gone from being seen as a symbol of rebellion to one of expression.

The reasons for getting tattoos are varied and depend on the person. Some people want to share their interests, such as a favorite tv show, a movie, a book, or a poem. Some want to celebrate their children, while others want a tattoo as a memorial for a loved one. Some want to give good energy or play around with the idea of bad luck.

When it comes down to it, the meaningfulness and the purpose of getting tattoos are as unique as the person who has chosen to get one!