When choosing a design for an upcoming tattoo, people often decide on their ink because it's either beautiful or incredibly meaningful to them. But, it is possible to have your cake and eat it too by picking stunning tattoos that are actually super meaningful, because life's too short not to have the best of both worlds. Of course, it may take a little longer to dream up a tattoo design that's both beautiful and meaningful, however the extra time spent designing will be more than worth it, especially considering you'll have your new body art for life.
First things first, you'll want to brainstorm what's important to you; this may be someone you are close to, a career path, a hobby, or something that inspires you. Whatever you are passionate about is always a good option to consider. On the other hand, you may have experienced something in your life that made a huge impact on you, such as the birth of a child, achieving a goal or dream, or the loss of a loved one. Anything that resonates on a personal level with you is a safe bet, however if you're trying to move on from an unfortunate event in your life, you might not want to remember it forever in the form of a tattoo.
If you're having trouble deciding where to start, here are some stunning tattoos that are super meaningful to help get you inkspired, because nobody likes an horrifically cliche tattoo.
1. The Heartfelt Compass
This compass design features the wearer's wife's nickname, along with the coordinates from where the couple first met. Could there be anything more romantic?
2. The Beautiful Quote
A meaningful quote, creative use of different fonts, and a beautiful illustration all combine seamlessly in this unique design.
3. The Design That Raises Awareness
At first glance, this ink looks to be a pretty design, yet on closer inspection, you can see the Hearing Loss Awareness Ribbon and cochlear implants – making this one of the most beautifully creative ways to raise awareness to a cause close to the wearer's heart.
4. The Love Wins Tattoo
Making a nod towards the LGBTQ community, this colorful design is cute, thoughtful, and super meaningful.
5. The Symbolic Arrow
According to this Instagrammer, the meaning behind her tattoo is as follows: "An arrow needs to be pulled back before it is shot forward. A lotus flower grows through the thickest mud before it blooms into a beautiful flower and the semicolon is where an author could have finished a sentence but they didn't, they carried on." She explains in her caption, "All of this signifies my life over the last 20 months by dealing with depression and anxiety and life's difficulties." This tattoo is among the most beautiful and brave I've ever seen.
6. The Adorable Illustration
This super cute tattoo is based on a wonderful illustration drawn by the wearer's children – making it one of the most precious tattoos in existence!
7. The Hidden Initials
The design for this beautifully intricate tattoo was taken from the wearer's grandma's coloring book and if you look closely, you can spot her grandma's initials within it.
8. The Combined Elements Tattoo
Combine multiple, meaningful elements into one design like this clever ink, so you don't have to choose just one.
9. The Piece Of Home
If you're moving away or live away from the place you call home, why not get a special landmark of the area inked on your bod, so home is with you wherever you go?
10. The Quirky Wedding Bands
Perhaps there's a special passion that you and your partner share? If you're planning on getting married in the future, instead of going down the traditional route, you could incorporate your shared passions into a unique wedding ring tattoo design, like this pro boxer and their partner.
11. The Endometriosis Awareness Brick
This darling little brick means much more than meets the eye, according to the wearer, "Endometriosis has always been a brick in my life; causing pain; wearing me down. I want to take that brick and pace a road to recovery for other women. Yellow is the awareness color for endo." It's a wonderful design for an even better cause.
12. The Heartfelt Homage
This stunning scarlet tattoo, created by Zech of Shades Of You in Chippewa Falls, WI, has a touching story behind it. The wearer, Alyson, told me over social media, that this tattoo is a cover-up that symbolizes her grandfather. Her most vivid childhood memory is of watching birds and squirrels on feeders with her grandfather. Alyson's grandfather loved cardinals and the poppies symbolize his service in World War II. Alyson got this tattoo about six weeks before her wedding so that her grandfather could be with her in spirit, as he couldn't be there with her physically.
These tattoos prove that you can fuse a beautiful design with a personal meaning, because you shouldn't have to sacrifice either!
Image: brandi_tattoos_you/Instagram
