A tattoo is more than just a cool personalized beauty mark; it’s a commitment. Whatever the design or artwork you choose to stamp on your skin, it’ll be a part of you forever—much like a signature. So before you go under the needle and get too trigger happy after saving a thousand pegs on Pinterest, you may want to mull over your choice and really think about your future tatt.
Now, if you’re looking for something simple but impactful and pretty, may we suggest a tattoo that’s meaningful as well? Much like Nadine Lustre’s lotus tattoo, which could symbolize “overcoming challenges,” “strength,” and “spirituality;” or Coleen Garcia’s dainty “Jesus” tattoo that’s a declaration of her faith. Tattoos like these are far more unique and personal, more than just about looking cool and “aesthetic.”
Here Are 15 Meaningful Tattoo Designs You Might Resonate With:
1. Butterfly Tattoos
Butterflies usually symbolize transformation and growth. It’s a whimsical design with a sense of fantasy and freedom because of the insect’s colorful wings. This tatt also looks great in monochrome black or a full-color design.
2. Semicolon Tattoo
The semicolon has evolved into a very important symbol over the years. Because of Project Semicolon launched in 2013, the punctuation mark is now a sign of solidarity for those dealing with mental illness and support for individuals who have lost a loved one because of suicide. It’s also a symbol of encouragement for those going through depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. We do advise though that you only get this done if you genuinely believe in the advocacy it this stands for and not simply for aesthetic purposes.
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3. Lotus Flower Tattoo
The lotus flower has become a popular tattoo idea since Nadine Lustre’s recent ink. Though the design isn’t unique to the actress, it’s the perfect flower to flaunt as a message to yourself to “rise above your struggles.” It’s a tattoo you’d want to consider if you just experienced something really painful or difficult in your life, and it will serve as a reminder that you’ve overcome those challenging times.
4. Elephant Tattoo
Elephants are gentle giants and are animals that have a variety of meanings across different religions. These animals are also very matriarchal, which makes them a popular design among women. Generally though, elephants represent good luck and prosperity. Not to mention, they look pretty cute as a minimalistic tattoo!
5. Dragonfly Tattoo
Dragonflies look particularly whimsical as a tattoo. In Japanese culture, dragonflies symbolize “power” and “agility” since these creatures always fly forward and never back. Some say they also mean “free-spirited” since they never fly in a straight line. And since these creatures are quite a rarity these days, this tattoo design also gives off a sense of uniqueness.
6. Ampersand Tattoo
If you don’t believe in forever, then maybe you should try getting an ampersand tattoo. The symbolic “and” means that nothing lasts and that there will always be a next chapter to the good and bad events in your life. Though that might sound dreary to some, we’d like to think of it as a “this too shall pass” symbol for anyone struggling to cope with their problems.
7. Star Tattoo
Stars usually mean being “the light amongst the darkness,” It’s the perfect design to get if you’ve got unwavering positivity and a bubbly and cheerful disposition. It could also mean that no one can ever dim your brightness.
8. Minimalist Chevron Tattoo
The perfect minimalist tattoo you can practically place anywhere on your body—from in between your fingers to behind your ears. The chevron symbol means something special in ancient Viking culture and is a sign of good luck for the wearer and the people around them.
9. Sunflower Tattoo
Since sunflowers look up to sky, they’re usually regarded as symbols of positivity and optimism. The color yellow is also a bright and happy hue that’s perfect for a colored ink design.
10. Handwritten Quote Tattoo
If you want something extremely personal, why not get a tattoo of a quote that means something to you something to you? You can always go with generic sayings of encouragement, love, and inspiration, but go a step further and have them ink it in your or your loved ones handwriting to make it even more special. Coleen Garcia, for example, has the words "my everything" in Billy Crawford's handwriting tattooed on her hip.
11. Swallow Bird Tattoo
A swallow bird symbolizes many things. Sailors would get swallow tattoos as a symbol of their love for their families and the hope of returning home safely. Swallows are also often associated with the arrival of spring and can symbolize renewal and new beginnings. As migratory birds that travel great distances, they can also symbolize freedom and exploration. For Heaven Peralejo and her mom, they chose to get matching swallow tattoos on their wrists to mark their mutual love for traveling.
12. Anchor Tattoo
If you ever feel like life’s challenges are beginning to rock your boat, what you need is an anchor. Anchors are meant to keep you from drifting away. They’re a symbol of strength, stability, and security and can be a great reminder to keep yourself grounded when times get rough.
13. Baybayin Tattoo
While word tattoos already tend to have deep meanings, having them written in Baybayin, the ancient script of pre-colonial Filipinos, adds another layer of depth to your tattoo. Aside from having your favorite quote or word tattooed on your skin, it’s also a way to celebrate your heritage and keep it alive.
14. Paper Plane Tattoo
Paper planes are often associated with traveling, freedom, and adventure, but they can also be a metaphor for one's personal journey in life. The act of releasing a paper plane into the air can also be symbolic of letting go of burdens, worries, or negative emotions. No matter what it may symbolize for you, one thing’s for sure it’s one cute minimalist tattoo.
15. Moon Tattoo
The moon has tons of mysticism and spirituality surrounding it. It is also tied to the divine feminine, motherhood, fertility, and the nurturing aspects of femininity. It could also symbolize the cyclical nature of life. As the moon waxes and wanes, so do we undergo a similar transformation. Kylie Padilla's “triple goddess” tattoo takes all of these symbolisms into one. It’s a popular Wiccan symbol depicting the moon in its three phases, reflective of the three phases a woman goes through in her lifetime, namely as a mother, a maiden, and an old woman.
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