Growing up, I never thought that I would ever be a tattoo person. For a long time, I let the cultural values associated with heavy ink and noticeable piercings seep into my own identity, until I was able to see how silly those negative connotations are.
I’m glad I did.
Tattoos, like any kind of art, are a form of self-expression. The medium is just on skin rather than canvas, with ink instead of acrylic. Whether tattoos are filled with meaning and sentiment or are simply an aesthetically pleasing design, I love how they decorate the body and give a peek into who someone is.
Right now, I’ve got two tattoos: a collection of arrows, and a mountain range. My mom drew my eclectic group of arrows, and the mountains are a constant reminder of where my heart is.
I’ve got several more ideas loaded and ready to go. They are pricey (for good reason!), and a little low on my list of purchase priorities. However, when the time comes, these are the tattoo ideas I’m looking at.
Sunshine, of Course
My next tattoo is going to be a sun. It’s pretty on-brand, and something that I have wanted for quite some time. I am inspired by this minimalist design, and would love it on the underside of my forearm.
A Little Latin
I have always enjoyed the three-word Latin phrase, “veni vidi vici,” which translates to “I came, I saw, I conquered.” However, I wanted to tailor the phrase more to me.
Veni. Vidi. Amavi. (I came. I saw. I loved.)
I’m not sure on the placement yet, but I’m expecting this to be a very small tattoo to tuck away somewhere.
Lyrical Quote
Here’s a tattoo idea that’s actually on the meaningful side. Honoring my parents is important to me. To do so, I’ve decided to take a line from their wedding song—”Heaven” by Bryan Adams. “Love is all that I need.”
Wild Flowers
I love the look of a bundle of wildflowers. For our wedding, we used wildflowers native to Colorado to designate the seating chart, and my mom drew beautiful place cards for each. I’d love to use some of these designs for a tattoo, located on the side of my rib cage.
My Favorite Painting
I’m a little nervous about this, but I’ve decided that I would like to do a larger design, maybe a quarter sleeve, with a loose interpretation of my favorite painting. I want to have Gustav Klimpt’s “The Kiss” translated on my left upper arm. I don’t know when I’ll gain the courage, but I would love to have this art transcend mediums and be a permanent part of me.
Matching Tats
I’m always open to matching tattoos with people I love, as long as they aren’t as outright as their name with a heart outline running through. If my mom or best friend wanted in on a shared design, I would do it in an instant.
I would also love to someday honor Chad and our relationship through a tattoo, but I’m not sure yet on how that would look. The odds are low on a matching piece (Chad doesn’t have any tattoos and maybe never will, which is perfectly okay).
It’d be cool if it was star-related, or some kind of abstract design that we both appreciate. One idea is the phrase “I count you twice,” which alludes to “when I count my blessings, I count you twice.” The possibilities are open on this one, and I’m always looking for inspiration and feedback.
Floral Designs
I’d like to somehow incorporate a sweeping floral design somewhere, but I’m not yet sure how to work it out. This might just be an idea that stays on my Pinterest board but never comes to life on my own body.
Some Day!
On my list of financial priorities, first comes a house, then a doggo, then a chunk of my student loans. Tattoos lie somewhere off in the distance, maybe as a birthday treat or a reward for meeting other goals. They are something to look forward to, and a definite exercise of creativity.
Do you have any tattoo ideas stashed away for the future?
It’s in writing that you would do it in a heartbeat. The heartbeat is February 8th.
I’m 100% planning on our poor decision-making skills to get me out of this lololol
It’s true when they say once you get your first tattoo, you always come back for more! I absolutely loooove the mountains you have, and the placement of it. I think the minimalist design of a sunshine is so adorable and if you ever do get one of the quotes/lyrics tattooed, I can picture it as an inner bicep tattoo. And that painting is soooo beautiful! If you ever get it done, I hope you share the artist’s work.
I would love a matching tattoo with my partner as well but I don’t think he’s down for that, even though he is tatted up as well. If we were to get one, I’d have to figure out something that represents us without stating the obvious that it’s a couples’ tattoo lol.
So true! As soon as my first session was done, I was already planning out what to get next. And again last time, lol. It’s just such a cool way to add to yourself! Also, thank you so much for your compliments, and I agree with your placement ideas!
My husband and I always said that we thought matching tattoos would be a bad idea, but then once I started getting them and we got married, it seems like there are so many possibilities. So, not sure yet on how to navigate that area, lol.
Thank you for reading and for leaving such a great comment, Claire!
I love these ideas! Especially the sun and the wild flower designs. I’ve been wanting a new tattoo for ages but I can decide on one. I do like the idea of having my favourite painting too! Thanks for the inspiration.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I hope you find a design you love and schedule an appointment soon. Thanks for reading!
I love this!! I’ve been editing a tattoo post for next week, so this was super cool! I have 7 tattoos. I love your ideas! My husband is a welder who can’t wear a ring, so we have letters on our ring fingers too. Great post!
Crazy timing! I can’t wait to keep building my collection—there’s something really empowering about adding art to your body. Love the ring idea, what a cool way to honor each other! And I can’t wait to read your post!
Thanks!! I can’t wait to see what you add to yours!! 😊
Your ideas are so visual and artistic: miniature works of art!
Thank you so much for your kind words, I really appreciate it, John!
I have one tattoo that I got a couple years ago and it’s a massive piece on my thigh. I always knew I wanted a tattoo, but it took me ages to finally get one because I was struggling with placing meaning behind my tattoo. Once I got over that mindset, I decided on my artwork and went for it. I actually made a post about it if you’d like to check it out: https://bexoxoblog.wordpress.com/2018/03/22/adulting-done-right/
I’m juggling 2 ideas for possible future tattoos. The first is the word meaningful. Since my first tattoo doesn’t really have any meaning behind it, this one would be my “meaningful” tattoo. But to take it a step further, I want it in my mom’s handwriting. I’m very close with my mom and think it would be a great way to cherish our relationship while also adding a bit of humor.
The other one I’m mulling over is a geometric-style bunny towards the back of my foot. My first adult pet was a rabbit and I adored him so much. My heart still aches for him to this day. Not only would it be a nice reminder of my bun man, but then I would always have a lucky rabbit’s foot. 🙂
I love that you’ve shared all of your ideas!! Also, I’m glad that you decided to take the plunge with your first tattoo and get it because you like it, though I’m sure having a meaningful (even if just in humor) message behind your next few will also be wonderful reminders of your loved ones.
It’s funny, because I used to think that “meaningful” was so important, even though something automatically has meaning/worth if you like it, from poetry to paintings to body art. I didn’t get my nose pierced because of some storied symbolism and past memory, lol.
Thank you so much for reading and sharing your wonderful ideas. I hope to see the finished products with them! 🙂
I have 5 tattoos and I’m thinking about going to get matching ones with my bff pretty soon.
Nice! That sounds super cool for you both. Thanks for reading!
I have wildflowers on the back of my arm in white ink 🙂 every time I catch it in the mirror or something I’m like damn that was really a good idea haha I love it
I looove the look of white ink tattoos! I’m really looking forward to having a visible tattoo because most of the time I forget I have any at all, lol. Thanks for reading!
I looooove that painting one! I absolutely adore small, simple tattoos. I’ve been wanting one for ages but I always get too nervous to commit. You have so many beautiful ideas here though!
Thank you! Even though it’d definitely be out of my comfort zone to get such a large piece, I think it’d be such a cool work of art. I hope you pull the trigger and do it for yourself! Thank you for reading and commenting. 🙂
I love all those ideas! I’ve actually never gotten a tattoo before though. I am too much of a chicken!
-Charity http://www.morningsonmacedonia.com
And that’s totally okay too! It’s definitely a huge commitment. 🙂 Thank you for reading!
These are great tattoo ideas. I personally like a semicolon to represent my mental health.
I love the semi colon tattoo movement and think it’s a very special reminder and message. Thank you for reading and sharing!
I love love love the mountains you have!! I don’t have any tattoos yet, though I think maybe this year for my birthday I may. I’ve wanted one for ages though. I have a ton of thoughts on what id like as well. I really like the more minimal designs as well. Great post!
Thank you so much! I’m so glad I got them. And I think you totally should—it’ll be worth the wait. Thank you for reading and sharing!
A beautiful post, I love looking at other peoples tattoos but would never have one myself
Thank you, that’s very kind to say. Sometimes art is best appreciated from a distance. 🙂 Thank you for reading!
I love the sun one especially! I’ve always liked the ideas of tattoos but I’ve never found something that I can say I’m sure I’d want on me forever so my body is still plain for now. I love looking at the designs others choose and the meanings behind them though x
Sophie
Thank you! I’m excited to get that next. And it’s definitely best to be sure and ready on a design before committing. Thank you for reading! x
Love all the tattoo ideas you have!! I have wanted to get one related to travel for a while now but can’t seem to decide what. Also, me and my sister want to get matching ones but again cannot agree on something.
It’d be sweet if you could find a way to represent your unicorn horn somehow! I also love the idea of a matching family tattoo as well. Thank you so much for reading and sharing!
The Bryan Adams tattoo is so sweet!
Ash | https://pricklypineapples.ie
Thank you very much!