Most people love tattoos. It’s an aesthetic mode of expression, not just for fashion’s sake but also for bonding with ourselves at a deeper level. Many of us get our tattoos with this deep sense of meaning and direction in the background. But some choose tats that are subjective and purely decorative too (or flaky like the one you got with your ex). Which is cool.
Getting a tattoo is a lot like marriage or monogamy (that’s debatable though, with coverup tattoos becoming a major branch in the business). Like marriage, you’ve got to stick with your tattoo(s) even in the days you don’t “feel it”, for the rest of your life.
Not saying that marriage is something you’ve got to be “stuck with”, but they share the same analogy. And to evade that feeling of being “stuck with something”, we need to make smart, wise, and heartfelt choices (thus, reducing chances of getting cringeworthy matching tattoos).
Here are some of our top emoji picks that could fit as great tattoo ideas too!
Philosophical Tats
☯️ Yin Yang Emoji
We’ve mentioned it before and we mention it again; balance. Balance is what makes ☯️ such a great tattoo idea. Not to forget that yin yang is already one of the mainstream tattoo designs. But, it’s the details that make anything unique!
The ⚖️ Balance Scale and the 🏹 Bow and Arrow work with the same preface too.
🕉️ OM Emoji
This super famous Sanskrit alphabet is both philosophical and spiritual (maybe they’re the same, we never know).
Although 🕉️ is highly attached to Hindu religions, this symbol resonates more with the universal sound. It brims with positivity, meditativeness, and oneness between the creator and the creation (the universe and us).
💀 Skull Emoji
Skulls, bones, sticks, and stones are a verbal framework for death. This ‘death’ could be of different kinds apart from just the physical. Like spiritual, mental, psychological, and emotional deaths too.
Physical death is what we’re familiar with the most, thus making 💀 a symbol of loss, pain, and negativity. However, if the same were to be played out in different spheres, it’s more of a release. Redemption of sorts.
Death is neither negative, bad nor taboo. It is what it is. And when we say “different kinds” of death, it’s bound to have positive implications; like the death of a phase, a frame of mind, or even paradigms.
In that sense 💀 is a powerful tattoo idea. A philosophical one that too. You could also opt for ☠️ Skull and Crossbones which could mean the same.
🪂 Parachute Emoji
A parachute is a cute tattoo idea, first of all. But secondly, it is a philosophical catch. How? They’re both symbolic of safety and risk.
While you’re ensuring safety with a 🪂, you’re also risking your landing, which could either end great or terribly. The perfect amalgamation of life and death.
So, if you’re up for some adventure, you should consider 🪂 for your next tattoo.
🔑 Key Emoji
Keys unlock. They open. Unleash. If your pathway is nowhere but freedom and a kickass journey of unlocking every phase in your life in hopes of achieving more of that freedom, 🔑 could work out as a tattoo idea for you.
🔐 Locked With Key Emoji
If you’re the owner of both a 🔒 Lock and the 🔑 Key it translates to safe-keeping and security of whatever means a lot to you. While this bracket includes essentials, it could also be a place of secrecy and privacy.
If you believe yourself to be secretive or private or if you’re a strong propagator of the same, you could give this tattoo idea a second thought. This pair could also be customized with more meaning by inking it as a manner of showing that you’re indeed safeguarding something or someone super precious to you.
⚓ Anchor Emoji
An anchor is another popular tattoo idea for obvious reasons. ⚓ not only weighs down something entirely, but it also helps ground it; keeping the subject close to his or her roots. Thus providing a sense of consistency and reliability.
In this sense, the anchor could be a philosophical tat.
🔎 Magnifying Glass Tilting Right
If I’m one to seek more than the eye can see
A magnifying glass is the tool for me.
🔎 is not only a quirky tattoo idea, it tends to highlight personality traits and qualities. No, we’re not talking about problem-solving skills. This tattoo speaks on levels of seeking something more. More than what most look for.
The 🔍 Left-Tilted Magnifying Glass is just the same but for right-handed folks.
Nature Oriented Tats
🦋 Butterfly Emoji
Another super common tattoo idea, the butterfly! The fragility and beauty of this tiny creature are what makes 🦋 more than just an insect.
You may interpret this emoji or tattoo in the backdrop of the “butterfly effect” as well. Something so subtle yet so powerful. Definitely, something that describes most of us!
🌹 Rose Emoji
A lot of us are suckers for anything floral and 🌹 is one of the basics for floral ink. Roses, like any other tattoo outline, can be filled with individuality and uniqueness given the right amount of kind of detailing. Thus personalizing something so common.
Making it your rose.
🍂 Fallen Leaf Emoji
Ah, autumn! The season of letting go and holding onto strength. It may be a sad time in the natural cycle, but boy are those leaves pretty!
Leaves in general make for a wonderful tattoo idea. From forearm creepers to leafy wristbands, and even plain stretches of just leaves, 🍂 is a versatile and graceful tattoo.
Other variants of this tattoo/emoji are the 🌿 Herb, 🍃 Fluttering Leaves, a 🌱 Seedling, or even a fully grown 🌳 Tree!
🍀 Four-Leaf Clover Emoji
Much of what’s around us is mediocre, usual, and mundane. Great things often miss out on the little things that make them rare; hard to get and harder to forget (inspiration: Drake).
If you’re a strong believer in “taking the road less traveled”, then 🍀 could be a great tattoo idea!
How is that related?
Well, to take a path that’s hardly the first option and to be something that’s hardly around is what composes of ‘rarity’. Unique and golden.
🌻 Sunflower Emoji
A sunflower resonates with summer, the sun, warmth, and mostly yellow; such a bright and happy color. 🌻 is a super cute tattoo if you can relate to its qualities and significance. Of course, there are many variations of 🌻 and not just a single sunflower staring at you.
Tats of Antiquity
⚜️ Fleur-de-Lis Emoji
Antique fanatics, this one’s for you! There’s something so ancient yet contemporary about ⚜️. It’s the perfect emoji or rather a tattoo idea for the “old soul” (if you’ve ever called yourself this, you’d get it).
This tattoo could also encompass that fleeting thought and feeling of “being born in the wrong era/generation”.
🗝️ Old Key Emoji
Firstly, an old key is eerily captivating. Something about it makes you think, question, and maybe ponder about things, even.
But that’s not what this is about. What makes 🗝️ a pretty little tattoo idea is the history attached to it. If history means something or everything to you, if you’re one to remember and cherish things a little more deeply than the rest, you could consider 🗝️ for your tat.
It evokes a sense of your own personal will and approval of unlocking those memories just to live a little longer with them.
Mythological Tats
🔱 Trident Emblem Emoji
If gold is your favorite shade and/or metal 🔱 is on the list for you! This mythological weapon is just as powerful in real life as it is in the books
(Of course, it cannot cause things to happen, but it has that majestic atmosphere).
The Trident has references from more than just a handful of cultures and myths. Making it a solid pick for a mythical tattoo. So, if myth is your thing, 🔱 ought to be on your shortlisted ideas for a tattoo.
Tats of the Cosmos
⭐ Star Emoji
A five-pointed star is often one of the most sought-after tattoo ideas. Though a very common tat design, tattoo lovers don’t shy away from it. Stars are part of the cosmos and it’s impossible for us to detach from something so innate, even to us.
There are loads of star-based tattoos that don’t necessarily have to be ⭐. Some examples are the 🌠 Shooting Star, a 🌟 Glowing Star, an ✴️ Eight-Pointed Star, and the ✡️ Star of David as well! (the latter could have a slight religious inclination)
Traditional Tats
🔯 Dotted Six-Pointed Star Emoji
Since 🔯 looks a lot like a ‘Rangoli’, it counts as a traditional tattoo simply for the reason that rangoli is one of the vibrant forms of Indian arts.
That being said, there are tons of rangoli designs that would prove the rangoli to be a wonderful tattoo. Black and grey or color, these tattoos never fail to impress!
Otherworldly Tats
👽 Alien Face Emoji
If you’re someone who’s always chasing after “something more”, you’d be quite versed with aliens and the conspiracies surrounding them.
This tattoo idea is not a conspiracy. It’s there and it’s real. Alien faces may be terrifying in real life but 👽 is adorable. So, if “conspiracies” intrigue you, this may be the perfect match.
🛸 Flying Saucer Emoji
If you’re acquainted with the alien “theory”, 🛸 is not a stranger. Flying saucers or UFOs are interesting in themselves. They always leave it to us to fill in the gaps between what is and what can be.
So, if curiosity is your thing and if it killed your cat (jk), you could use 🛸 as an idea for your next tattoo.
👾 Alien Monster Emoji
Now would you look at that?!
👾 is hardly scary and it does not qualify to be a monster (ask humans about that!).
This one’s a pixelated monster one that’s often found on video games (okay now, PS5 dudes. There were other games before play station).
So, if you want to connect back to the times when things were simpler or rather pixelated, 👾 is a super cute option.
Gaming Tats
🎮 Video Game Emoji
🎮 is the undeniable mark of love for gaming. If you have one of these anywhere other than your actual, physical gaming console, you’re a gaming freak.
If you don’t mind trading anything for extra time with your video game, this tattoo is precisely for you. Other options include the 🕹️ Joystick, 🖥️ Computer, and 💻 Laptop.
🪀 Yo-Yo Emoji
This section includes everything to do with games and leisure (not just video games). A yo-yo tattoo is hands down one of the most grounded tattoos. Yo-yoing is a hobby, a simple, yet super fun game, and a symbol of childhood and simplicity. Thus making it a grounded tattoo.
Travel-Based Tats
🛶 Canoe Emoji
If you can assert water to be your second home and adventure to be your philosophy of life, 🛶 could be an awesome tattoo idea.
A canoe is not just a cute tattoo, it’s thoughtful too. Canoeing is possible only in two ways. You either “go with the flow” or to go against it. The latter may be tougher, but in rare cases, there’s success at the end.
So, if you found that light at the end of a canoeing journey or if your motto is to ride along the force, then you should consider 🛶.
🚲 Bicycle Emoji
Cycling is all fun and games until it’s uphill. No one likes riding in the opposite direction of comfort. It takes strength and extra power to do it once but stability and commitment to repeat it.
Getting 🚲 as a tattoo because you’re a fan of bicycling is one thing and getting it because of the metaphorical context of the vehicle is another. You get to choose the story behind your ink!
👙 Bikini Emoji
A bikini is an iconic symbol of freedom, vacation, summer, and of course, the beach. It could be provoking to some, and liberating to others. While strangely, it’s both to many.
Musical Tats
🎵 Musical Note Emoji
A music note of your choice is bound to prove to be a personalized niche for a tattoo. You could decide on 🎵, a bunch of 🎶 Notes, or even 🎼 merge the strings you play along with the note(s) you love and make it a unique verse for yourself.
🎧 Headphones Emoji
It’s okay if you cannot recognize notes or aren’t familiar with them. Music is universal that way. Sometimes even unknown notes and languages are bound to hit hard and heal where it hurts.
Listening to “too much” music is said to have depressing effects on the mind. But music lovers would agree that not listening to enough music could be that much damaging.
🎙️ Studio Microphone Emoji
If you’re a vocalist or a recording singer, 🎙️ is a great tattoo idea. This is just a basic outline or a foundation to a larger and more detailed piece of inked art. You could make your own personalized adjustments, that’d result in a masterpiece.
Simple Tats
Minimalism is in vogue today. But that doesn’t make it something new. It’s an age-old way of living with more experiences and lesser things, and stats of that being the lifestyle choice among people is increasing.
The same applies to tattoos as well. Apart from the pricing structure and strategies to work our savings in the most efficient way possible, minimal tattoos speak both, the language of simplicity and meaning.
- 🎈 Balloon tattoo for the child in you.
- 🎀 Ribbon tattoo for your ability to make even mundanity beautiful.
- 🏆 Trophy tattoo because we’re all winners in here!
- 🎗️ Reminder Ribbon tattoo to remind you of all the times you fought against the odds to get where you are.
- 🪁 Kite tattoo to balance out the urge to fly and stay close to home.
- 🧷 Safety Pin tattoo if you’re the kind to find a stitch in time!
Tattoos are permanent and committed relationships. They are the kind that stays even when everything goes to shit. The history, the meaning, the love, the excitement, all of that stays. And that’s either satisfying or frightening.
So, the next time you choose to get a tattoo, just stop and think if you’re ready or if you need more time. And in that “more time”, make sure to research and learn more about tattoos and the different kinds out there, like this blog post!