140+ Beautiful Symbolic Tattoo Designs for Men and Women (2024)

Symbolic tattoos refer to tattoo designs that are inspired by meaningful signs. These symbols or signs are chosen from widely popular semiotics. A Major problem that arises while choosing symbolic tattoos is that people often get confused and chose symbols that neither define them nor it looks good on them.

If the symbolic tattoo is your next ink idea then do not worry as we have chosen some of the most meaningful (and beautiful) symbolic tattoos designs on this page.

What are tattoos Symbolic for?

Your body is a canvas and the ink that you put on it is the symbolism of your feelings, expressions, and thoughts. Every tattoo is a symbol in its self. It could be a memorial design or a motivational quote or even an ode to your rebellious phase of life.

There are thousands of signs and symbols around the world that you can choose from. However, it is really difficult to find the perfect one for yourself. You can round up your symbolic tattoos design around some commonly popular themes such as –

Hard Work – Find a symbol that represents hard work and get it inked on your body. Many tattoos symbolize hard work. Every culture and language has its symbol for it. You can pick the sign that is popular in your locale.

Anxiety – You will be surprised to know that many tattoo designs symbolize anxiety. There is a strong reason behind why you should pick one such design. Anxiety and stress are so common in modern life it has become a part of our personality.

You can choose a tattoo that represents calmness among anxiety and stress. Science has proved that many symbols and signs represent anxiety and some can calm you in a stressful situation. One such is the wave symbol that signifies that life has ups and downs.

New Beginnings – So no One told you that life can turn out tough. Your job will be a joke and your life will be broken and don’t even ask about your love which will be like DOA. Well, Don’t worry because your tattoo will be there for you to remind the new beginnings in your life.

Every once in a while we are stuck in our life and we just want to overcome it and start afresh. A symbolic tattoo on your body can help you in that as it will be a constant reminder that you are a fighter who can overcome his dark past. There are many symbols you can choose to represent the same.

Fighter – There are dozens of Chinese symbols, Japanese Symbols and Vikings signs that can be tried on your body that represent a warrior spirit. Suppose you are in a fight – What would you rely more on on – Speed or Strength?

If your answer is speed then go for Chinese Kung Fu symbols. If you have more faith in brute strength then the Vikings sign is your go-to choice.

Symbolic tattoo Placement

Usually, the symbols that you will be choosing for your next ink would be small to tiny in size. Therefore the tattoo won’t require a lot of space on your body. A Symbolic tattoo would look even better if it is on a body part that you too can look at now and then without standing in front of a mirror or putting any extra effort.

This is the reason why most people have symbolic tattoos on fingers, wrists, forearms, calves, and near neck or face. I find fingers the best choice to have minimal symbolic tattoos.

Here have a look at these 140+ symbolic tattoo designs that will suit both men and women. Please note that we have selected abstract art and stencils pictures to give you an idea about the symbols. You can print out these designs and get a real tattoo of your choice on your body.

Symbolic Tattoo Ideas

Symbolic Tattoos 1
Symbolic Tattoos 1
Symbolic Tattoos 2
Symbolic Tattoos 2
Symbolic Tattoos 3

Symbolic Father Son Tattoos

Symbolic Tattoos 3
Symbolic Tattoos 4
Symbolic Tattoos 4
Symbolic Tattoos 5
Symbolic Tattoos 5
Symbolic Tattoos 6
Symbolic Tattoos 6
Symbolic Tattoos 7
Symbolic Tattoos 7
Symbolic Tattoos 8
Symbolic Tattoos 8
Symbolic Tattoos 9
Symbolic Tattoos 9
Symbolic Tattoos 10
Symbolic Tattoos 10
Symbolic Tattoos 11
Symbolic Tattoos 11
Symbolic Tattoos 12
Symbolic Tattoos 12
Symbolic Tattoos 13

Symbolic and Meaningful Tattoos

Symbolic Tattoos 13
Symbolic Tattoos 14
Symbolic Tattoos 14
Symbolic Tattoos 15
Symbolic Tattoos 15
Symbolic Tattoos 16
Symbolic Tattoos 16

Symbolic Strength Tattoos

Symbolic Tattoos 17
Symbolic Tattoos 17
Symbolic Tattoos 18
Symbolic Tattoos 18
Symbolic Tattoos 19
Symbolic Tattoos 20
Symbolic Tattoos 21
Symbolic Tattoos 22
Symbolic Tattoos 23
Symbolic Tattoos 24
Symbolic Tattoos 25
Symbolic Tattoos 26
Symbolic Tattoos 27
Symbolic Tattoos 28

Elves Symbolic Tattoo Ideas

Symbolic Tattoos 29
Symbolic Tattoos 30
Symbolic Tattoos 31
Symbolic Tattoos 32
Symbolic Tattoos 33
Symbolic Tattoos 34
Symbolic Tattoos 35
Symbolic Tattoos 36
Symbolic Tattoos 37
Symbolic Tattoos 38
Symbolic Tattoos 39
Symbolic Tattoos 40
Symbolic Tattoos 41
Symbolic Tattoos 42
Symbolic Tattoos 43
Symbolic Tattoos 44
Symbolic Tattoos 45
Symbolic Tattoos 46
Symbolic Tattoos 47
Symbolic Tattoos 48
Symbolic Tattoos 49
Symbolic Tattoos 50
Symbolic Tattoos 51
Symbolic Tattoos 52
Symbolic Tattoos 53
Symbolic Tattoos 54
Symbolic Tattoos 55
Symbolic Tattoos 56

Remembrance Symbolic Tattoos For the Lost Loved Ones

Also Read – Glyph Tattoo Ideas

Symbolic Tattoos 57
Symbolic Tattoos 58
Symbolic Tattoos 59
Symbolic Tattoos 60
Symbolic Tattoos 61
Symbolic Tattoos 62
Symbolic Tattoos 63
Symbolic Tattoos 64
Symbolic Tattoos 65
Symbolic Tattoos 66
Symbolic Tattoos 67
Symbolic Tattoos 68
Symbolic Tattoos 69
Symbolic Tattoos 70
Symbolic Tattoos 71
Symbolic Tattoos 72
Symbolic Tattoos 73
Symbolic Tattoos 74
Symbolic Tattoos 75

Japanese Symbolic Tattoos

Symbolic Tattoos 76
Symbolic Tattoos 77
Symbolic Tattoos 78
Symbolic Tattoos 79
Symbolic Tattoos 80
Symbolic Tattoos 81
Symbolic Tattoos 82
Symbolic Tattoos 83
Symbolic Tattoos 84
Symbolic Tattoos 85
Symbolic Tattoos 86
Symbolic Tattoos 87
Symbolic Tattoos 88
Symbolic Tattoos 89
Symbolic Tattoos 90
Symbolic Tattoos 91
Symbolic Tattoos 92
Symbolic Tattoos 93
Symbolic Tattoos 94
Symbolic Tattoos 95
Symbolic Tattoos 96
Symbolic Tattoos 97
Symbolic Tattoos 98
Symbolic Tattoos 99
Symbolic Tattoos 100
Symbolic Tattoos 101
Symbolic Tattoos 102
Symbolic Tattoos 103
Symbolic Tattoos 104
Symbolic Tattoos 105
Symbolic Tattoos 106
Symbolic Tattoos 107
Symbolic Tattoos 108
Symbolic Tattoos 109
Symbolic Tattoos 110
Symbolic Tattoos 111
Symbolic Tattoos 112
Symbolic Tattoos 113
Symbolic Tattoos 114
Symbolic Tattoos 115
Symbolic Tattoos 116
Symbolic Tattoos 117
Symbolic Tattoos 118
Symbolic Tattoos 119
Symbolic Tattoos 120
Symbolic Tattoos 121
Symbolic Tattoos 122
Symbolic Tattoos 123

Conclusion

Never get inked with a tattoo that holds no meaning to you personally. Every tattoo on your body is a lifelong commitment and you don’t want one that serves no purpose other than just bloated ink on your physique.

Choose a symbolic tattoo that you can proudly show to your friends and family members. Share this photo gallery with your friends on Facebook and Pinterest and ask their opinions.

References: Semiotics Wiki