Tattoo Meanings
Every classic tattoo symbol carries centuries of meaning — from Greek myth to sacred art. These guides explain where each image comes from, what its variations say, and how it works on skin in black and grey realism. Written by the artists of KAZENTATTOO on Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles.
Sacred & religious
Cross
What does a cross tattoo mean? Faith, sacrifice and resurrection, the difference between a crucifix and an empty cross, Celtic, Orthodox and Saint Peter's crosses.
Angel
What does an angel tattoo mean? Guardian angels, memorial angels, the archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, fallen angels and cherubs, explained for black and grey.
Sacred Heart
What does a sacred heart tattoo mean? Divine love and sacrifice, the flames, thorns, wound and cross, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and the sacred heart in Chicano art.
Dove
What does a dove tattoo mean? Peace and the olive branch, the Holy Spirit descending at the baptism of Christ, the memorial dove carrying a soul, and doves in black and grey.
Praying hands
What does a praying hands tattoo mean? Faith and prayer, Albrecht Dürer's famous drawing, praying hands with a rosary, memorial praying hands, and the image in black and grey.
Anchor
What does an anchor tattoo mean? Stability and staying grounded, hope as an anchor of the soul, the anchor as a hidden cross of early Christians, sailor tradition, and anchors in black and grey.
Wings
What does a wings tattoo mean? Freedom, angel wings and protection, memorial wings with a name, the fall of Icarus, broken wings, and full back wings in black and grey.
Star
What does a star tattoo mean? Guidance and hope, the sailor's nautical star, the Star of Bethlehem, the Star of David, shooting stars, and stars in black and grey tattooing.
Our Lady of Guadalupe
What does an Our Lady of Guadalupe tattoo mean? The 1531 story of Juan Diego, the rays, stars and crescent moon of her image, protection and motherhood, and Guadalupe in black and grey.
Jesus tattoo
Portraits of Christ in black and grey realism.
Virgin Mary tattoo
The Madonna, from Renaissance calm to Guadalupe.
Archangel Michael tattoo
The protector archangel and what his image carries.
Mythology
Medusa
What does a Medusa tattoo mean? The Greek myth, the protective Gorgon head, the modern meaning of survival, and how Medusa works in black and grey realism.
Snake
What does a snake tattoo mean? Rebirth and transformation, temptation in Eden, healing, the ouroboros, Japanese snakes and the serpent under the Virgin Mary's foot.
Lion
What does a lion tattoo mean? Strength, courage and leadership, the lion as family protector, the Lion of Judah, the winged lion of Saint Mark, and lions in black and grey.
Eye
What does an eye tattoo mean? The all-seeing Eye of Providence, the Egyptian Eye of Horus, the evil eye amulet, crying eyes and realistic eye portraits, explained.
Spider
What does a spider tattoo mean? Patience and creativity, the myth of Arachne, Anansi the storyteller, the spider web tattoo and what it can say, and spiders in black and grey.
Dragon
What does a dragon tattoo mean? Power, wisdom and luck in Chinese and Japanese tradition, chaos and evil in the West, Saint George and Archangel Michael slaying the dragon.
Phoenix
What does a phoenix tattoo mean? The bird that is reborn from its own ashes, resurrection in early Christian art, the Chinese fenghuang, and the phoenix in black and grey.
Tiger
What does a tiger tattoo mean? Raw power and courage, the tiger as guardian against evil in Asian tradition, the Japanese tiger, tiger and dragon, and tigers in black and grey.
Wolf
What does a wolf tattoo mean? Loyalty and family, the lone wolf, the she-wolf of Rome, the wolf in Norse myth, Saint Francis and the wolf, and wolves in black and grey realism.
Owl
What does an owl tattoo mean? Wisdom and the owl of Athena, the night and mystery, the owl as a guardian and as a messenger of death, and owls in black and grey realism.
Koi fish
What does a koi fish tattoo mean? Perseverance and the legend of the Dragon Gate, swimming upstream or downstream, koi and dragon, and koi in black and grey tattooing.
Eagle
What does an eagle tattoo mean? Freedom and the American bald eagle, power and victory, the eagle of Mexico on the cactus, the eagle of Saint John, and eagles in black and grey realism.
Dagger
What does a dagger tattoo mean? Courage and protection, sacrifice, betrayal, the dagger through a heart, rose, skull or snake, the sword through Mary's heart, and daggers in black and grey.
Statue
What does a statue tattoo mean? Ideal beauty and strength, Greek and Roman gods, Michelangelo's David, broken statues and the passing of time, and why statues suit black and grey.
Memento mori & nature
Rose
What does a rose tattoo mean? Love and beauty, thorns and pain, the rose of the Virgin Mary, rose and skull, and how a black and grey rose speaks without color.
Skull
What does a skull tattoo mean? Memento mori, the skull at the foot of the cross, saints with skulls, Día de los Muertos, and skulls in black and grey realism.
Butterfly
What does a butterfly tattoo mean? Transformation and new beginnings, the butterfly as the soul, memorial butterflies, moths and death's-head moths, in black and grey.
Lotus
What does a lotus tattoo mean? A flower that rises clean out of mud, purity and enlightenment in Buddhism and Hinduism, rebirth in ancient Egypt, open and closed lotus.
Heart
What does a heart tattoo mean? Love and life, the anatomical heart, the broken heart, the heart pierced by a dagger, the heart with a banner, and hearts in black and grey.
Moon
What does a moon tattoo mean? Cycles and change, the phases of the moon, the crescent, the moon goddess, the Virgin Mary standing on the moon, and sun and moon together.
Sun
What does a sun tattoo mean? Life and energy, rebirth every morning, the sun gods of myth, rays of divine light behind saints and the Madonna, and sun and moon together.
Hummingbird
What does a hummingbird tattoo mean? Joy and energy, resilience, the hummingbird of Aztec myth, the hummingbird as a visit from a loved one, and hummingbirds in black and grey.
Clock
What does a clock tattoo mean? The passing of time, a frozen hour of birth or death, clocks without hands, melting clocks, pocket watches, and clocks in black and grey realism.
Compass
What does a compass tattoo mean? Finding your way, guidance and protection on the road, the sailor's compass rose, compass with coordinates or a map, and compasses in black and grey.
Swallow
What does a swallow tattoo mean? The sailor's swallow and the miles at sea, returning home safely, loyalty and love, freedom, and swallows in black and grey tattooing.