The heart is an ancient symbol that represents the whole palette of deep emotional experiences and human qualities. A tattoo can have both a positive and negative context.
In the first case, the drawing means love, courage, friendship, devotion. This is a symbol of unity loving hearts, the source of human life force. In the second case, a tattoo can be a sign of mental pain, suffering, disappointment, tragic love, betrayal by a loved one.
Popularity of heart tattoos at different times
Even in ancient tribes, tattoos were made according to special occasions. Each of them had a certain meaning and often corresponded to a certain status in society.
So the heart tattoo became very popular starting in the 50-60s of the 20th century. For example, in biker culture. The image of a heart with wings to this day symbolizes freedom, heroism in the name of love. This tattoo among sailors had a similar meaning. The military filled their hearts with the names of loved ones for whose sake they fought at the front.
Since the late 90s, the white heart has become widespread among volunteer organizations, symbolizing help to the sick.
The guys
A heart tattoo, like any other, has a special meaning for its owner. Therefore, it is often specified by adding elements in the form of an inscription to the image. Tattoo may contain:
- names (of a loved one, the word mom in the form of the inscription MOM);
- abbreviations (religious symbols of ХВ);
- individual phrases (in Latin, tattoos in the form of hieroglyphs);
- fragments of text (quotes, etc.).
The meaning of a tattoo depends not only on the image itself, but also on its location. The closer to the heart, the greater the significance of the tattoo.
The image of a heart pierced through by an arrow is usually tattooed on the back and means that the guy is tempted by the girl forever. If there is a thorn in the picture, it means that love brings both joy and pain.
A bleeding heart also speaks of mental suffering.
For girls
The image of a heart on a girl’s shoulder, chest, wrist or side is usually done in a more restrained style. The meaning does not differ much from men's tattoos.
A heart melting under a candle signifies passion. A lot of hearts on the wrist or on the back of the neck can indicate that a girl is falling in love. A tattoo in the form of a combination of hearts and birds speaks of the attitude towards love as free flight.
In places of detention
The heart tattoo, as a separate design, is not particularly popular among prisoners. It is applied like additional element to other, more significant symbols. Previously, the heart was applied along with flowers, doves, plant patterns and other things. Now tattoos have a more restrained and laconic design.
A classic meaning is a tattoo that depicts a woman stabbing a knife, dagger or sword into her heart. This image speaks of a relationship in which the beloved broke the man’s heart.
The meaning of a heart tattoo with a needle is that drugs ruined love. The heart and anchor can usually be seen in people associated with the sea. Less often, such an image has the meaning of devoted love.
In other cases, a tattoo with a heart can mean that a person has been convicted of pedophilia and debauchery of minors. This symbol is also applied in the form of a heart suit. Then the location of the heart matters - up or down, which indicates an active or passive sexual position.
In places of detention, the location of the tattoo on the body is of particular importance.
Tattoos in the form of multi-colored hearts on the legs
Thousands of years ago, people realized that the heart is not just a muscular “bag” that pumps blood around the body and supports human life. They endowed it with much more diverse functions, believing that it was capable of feeling mental pain, experiencing emotions, making decisions, loving and giving love.
In the Christian tradition, a heart braided with thorn branches or framed with a wreath is identified with the pain experienced by Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of all human sins. Catholics celebrate the Day of the Sacred Heart every year.
In the Middle Ages, during the times of conquest and interethnic wars, the image of a heart was used by knights as a tattoo and was considered an indicator of bravery, courage and nobility(brave heart), and was also a talisman against severe wounds and was called upon to help warriors win victory in battle.
During World War II, soldiers would get a heart tattoo to reflect the ideals they were fighting for, as well as to honor the family that believed in and waited for the warrior from the front. After the 1950s, the heart tattoo, complete with ribbons and the words “mom” or “family,” gained popularity among bikers and sailors and was performed primarily in an old-school style.
Cutaway real heart tattoo
This is interesting. In America, lovers of heart-shaped tattoos prefer their execution in traditional, familiar styles, for example, old and new school. These trends in tattooing have a historical significance for them; moreover, they look more familiar, due to which their original meaning is not distorted.
Symbolic meaning of the heart
The meaning of a heart tattoo is so great and varied that it is impossible to list all the meanings contained in such an ordinary and simple design. In addition, we should not forget that the meaning of the tattoo also directly depends on the customer’s imagination, his thoughts and experiences, which he himself puts into the image of the heart.
Heart tattoo on thigh
Despite this, we can highlight the most famous and popular explanations for the meaning of a heart tattoo:
- courage and boldness;
- Love;
- friendship;
- devotion;
- youth and purity of thoughts;
- energy and strength;
- pain and mental anguish.
Did you know? The meaning of the tattoo should also be interpreted, taking into account the details and elements included in the composition, as well as the color scheme of the tattoo. For example, a white heart is a distinctive feature of the sisters of mercy, a gold one symbolizes religiosity, devotion to God and purity of thoughts, and a black heart often indicates the loss experienced by the tattoo wearer.
An interesting version of the image of a heart on the chest
Types of heart tattoos
Undoubtedly, there are a huge number of different variations on the heart theme, so it will probably never lose relevance. But despite this, depending on the prevalence and demand for drawings, Heart tattoos can be classified as follows:
- A heart pierced by something sharp (dagger, spear, nail, arrow) is a symbol of love, temptation by it, and can also mean betrayal.
- A broken or wounded heart - disappointment, love resentment and loss.
- The winged heart is a symbol of first, pure and devoted love.
- Hearts with ribbons and inscriptions are a symbol of memory of a significant event or person, often filled with the name of a loved one.
Several images of small hearts from one line
I have a small heart tattoo on my ribs. She seems so feminine, touching and sweet to me. Such a baby, and so many memories connected with her!
Galina, Angarsk
Small heart on the little finger
Other variations on the heart theme in tattoos
There are also others that are less common, but worthy of attention, compositions and plots of tattoos with hearts:
- A heart with a key and a keyhole often reveals a person searching for a second half, or is pinned in pairs to show perfect compatibility.
- A heart from an “anatomy textbook” - often stuffed by customers who suffer or have suffered from heart disease.
- Heart with a rose - symbolizes romantic, tender feelings, falling in love.
- Half a heart - stuffed with lovers or friends to secure the status of a relationship, can also symbolize unrequited love.
- Dolphins or other animals that form a heart with their bodies - a love of travel and comfort.
- A heart with a flag or other symbol inside - love for a certain country, culture, subculture.
- A heart with a halo, angels, a cross or in a hand is a symbol of the purity of the soul, respect for religion and family.
Heart on a guy's hand
My girlfriend and I got a couple heart tattoo on our wrist as a sign of our love. It’s funny to listen to friends lamenting like “what if you break up and then get your tattoos together?” No, I will never regret my choice to get a heart tattoo, because it indicates my ability to love.
Konstantin, Kemerovo
A tattoo is not just a drawing, it carries a semantic load, helps a person express his feelings, emotions, and convey his inner state. Heart tattoos have remained in fashion for decades and are popular among both girls and men. Such a tattoo can tell about fidelity and love, irreparable loss, unrequited love. The meaning varies depending on the options for depicting the heart and its combination with other symbols.
Heart: history of the symbol, general meaning in tattoos
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In many world religions, the heart is considered not just as an organ that pumps blood, but also as the seat of the eternal soul. In the past, barbarian warrior tribes ate the heart of a defeated enemy so that he could not return to earth and take revenge.
The symbol became most widespread in the Middle Ages; it personified:
- the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ;
- knightly courage and heroism;
- the ability to feel emotional pain and empathize with one’s neighbor.
Today the heart is traditionally associated with compassion, responsiveness, the predominance of feelings over the voice of reason. In tattoos, the interpretation largely depends on the color of the heart, its location, and additional decorative elements.
Heart tattoo color and its interpretation
| Color | What can it tell |
|---|---|
| Red | The most popular option, a symbol of passionate affection, love, sincere feelings. |
| Blue | Coldness, insensibility, reluctance to open your soul and thoughts to your loved one. |
| Pink | Falling in love, tenderness, the vulnerable nature of the tattoo wearer. |
| Black | Indicates sadness, tragic life events, mental trauma associated with the loss of feelings or a loved one. |
| White | Compassion, the ability to empathize with others, peacefulness. This tattoo is depicted as a sign of friendship and reconciliation. |
| Gold | Spiritual purity, commitment to religious morality and ethics, devotion to God. |
VIDEO: The meaning of a heart tattoo
Meaning of heart tattoo
Heart tattoo meaning. The heart is a symbol of eternal love. This tattoo was very popular among soldiers during the Great Patriotic War. There are several options for images of the heart. 1. Heart pierced by an arrow. 2. Heart pierced with a dagger. 3. Broken Heart. 4. Flag in the shape of a heart. 5. Hands holding a heart. 6. heart of gold. 7. Black heart. 8. White heart. 9. Sacred Heart.
Common heart themed options
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There is a wide variety of subjects and styles of depicting a heart in tattoos.
The heart is very popular:
1 Pierced by an arrow, a dagger. Such a drawing speaks of the suffering suffered due to the betrayal of a loved one, the severe mental pain associated with separation.
Black color indicates hopelessness, loss of faith in sincerity and fidelity. Red - hope that after the experience, a person will meet a devoted life partner.
2 With key and keyhole. The tattoo will tell others that its owner has not yet found his love, his heart is open and ready for a relationship. Another interpretation will be for a paired tattoo.
A couple in love, wanting to emphasize that they are made for each other, choose such a plot of an image of a heart.
3 With a scroll in which the name of the beloved is written. To depict such a heart, they use red, decorate it with flowers, and write an inscription in the center - a declaration of love or someone’s initials.
Sometimes such a tattoo is done in memory of someone who has passed away. a loved one. The date of death is indicated on the nameplate.
4 Heart in barbed wire. It may be a symbol of religiosity associated with the suffering of Jesus Christ for the sake of humanity. Such a drawing speaks of peacefulness and compassion for all people, regardless of their race and social status.
Another interpretation is attachment to a person that causes severe pain. It is symbolized by thorns and scarlet drops of blood. The owner of the tattoo seems to be warning that love is a dangerous trap into which the victim of temptation falls.
Such tattoo themes are popular among both men and women. But there are variants of sketches that craftsmen specially develop for each gender separately.
Women's tattoos with heart
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Small, neat tattoos are very popular among girls. A beautiful option for the wrist is a heart with an infinity symbol. It will indicate the tattoo owner's faith in eternal love, her capacity for sincere lasting feelings.
A tattoo with the contours of a heart, which consists of:
- floral patterns;
- chain links;
- openwork kryzhev;
- letters of the lover's name, inscriptions;
- precious stones;
- scatterings of stars;
- braided ropes;
- ivy leaves
Heart tattoos with flowers look feminine. Good for large areas of the body big flowers, such as peonies, lilies, roses. Graceful small bouquets, filling the heart, are suitable for gentle and sophisticated girls.
In combination with a butterfly, the tattoo will tell about the rebirth of the soul, which became possible thanks to love. Often the drawing is performed in rainbow colors to express the joy and bright feelings overwhelming its owner. An alternative option is an image of a dragonfly.
Lovers of clear, stylized lines will love the tattoo in the style Tribal. The outline of the heart consists of patterns that can be supplemented with the name of the beloved.
Women who prefer sophistication in tattoos will highly appreciate the Filigree style. The heart is made from various curls, twisted threads, decorating them with beads, precious stones. Flower buds, one or several, located along the contour would look appropriate.
Brutal heart options for men
Men's tattoos differ from women's tattoos in style and size.
Among men's subjects, images of hearts are in demand:
1 Anatomical drawings. Blood organ human body depicted realistically, with great detail. Special attention is given to vessels and channels. When you look at the tattoo, it seems that in just a second your heart will start beating.
This tattoo, made in the style of realism, speaks of sincerity of feelings, fiery temperament, and strong passion of nature.
2 Heart with a sword. A weapon located next to a symbol of love indicates a brave person who is ready to risk his life to defend justice. If the design complements the shield, it means that the owner of the tattoo will protect his family and loved ones until his last breath.
3 Geometry– the latest tattoo trend this year. The design will look discreet and stylish on a male body.
4 Engraving. Experienced tattooists inscribe entire pictures into the contours of the heart: a kissing couple, silhouettes of lovers, a portrait of a girl. Sometimes animals are placed inside the symbol: a lion, a wolf. Leo will talk about the desire to protect his family, his beloved.
5 Heart topped with a crown- in combination with a girl’s name, means that among all the women, the man found the best, his ideal. In other versions, the tattoo speaks of the amorous nature of its owner and success on the love front.
6 Rose combined with a heart. A flower can overlap a symbol of love, be next to it, frame its contours. The red color of a rose is love, white is sympathy and friendliness, yellow is separation.
Typically, men apply such tattoos on the entire chest, on the shoulder, forearm, shoulder blade, and in the ribs.
Sad symbols of love
Hearts are used in tattoos not only to talk about being in love, but also to convey the pain of loss for a loved one who has passed away. Hearts are suitable for these options:
1 Pierced with a cross, with drops of blood. Often a banner is depicted on the cross, on which the date of death and the name of the beloved are left. Men often choose a Celtic-style cross for this design. Women in Gothic.
2 With angel wings. Wings can grow from the heart, frame it along the contour, and fly up. Typically, men prefer this option, as it takes up a lot of space on the body. The design is placed on the chest and back.
If the person who passed away was the tattoo owner’s spouse, the wings are depicted wedding rings. The stars in the sky, on the tattoo, will tell about the remaining children together.
3 With a portrait of a loved one who is no longer alive. But a portrait inside a heart does not always speak of death, only if a date or a sad inscription is written next to it.
4 Bleeding heart. Drops of blood symbolize pain, an unhealed mental wound from the loss of a loved one. More often this design is applied in bright red color. If a crack is also depicted on the symbol of love, it means the owner of the tattoo will never come to terms with the loss.
Such sad tattoos are often tattooed by men, for them this is the best a way to preserve the memory of a loved one who has passed away.
Common elements often depicted with a heart
The interpretation of the meaning of the love symbol varies significantly depending on the objects and objects surrounding it.
Among them, with heart are popular:
1 Scull. The Gothic symbol will give the tattoo a dark meaning and indicate the dark sides of the personality. Sometimes, this means that for the owner of the tattoo, love has died forever. But if a red rose is located nearby, there is still hope for the revival of the soul.
2 Eagle- indicates a person who has passed away, who with love and care watches over the bearer of the tattoo on earth.
3 Snake– a sign of temptation, seduction, the ability to use other people’s feelings for one’s own benefit. If snakes wrap around the outline of the heart, biting it, then the person has fallen victim to love deception. When they frame the outline, it is believed that this will protect the owner of the tattoo from insincere, deceitful relationships.
4 Wolf- a symbol of fidelity, devotion, readiness to protect your loved ones and relatives. The howling wolf will tell about loneliness and unrequited love.
5 Two hands holding a heart- indicate that the tattoo bearer has found his ideal match. This is a sign of mutual love, harmony, mental and physical unity.
6 cat paw– talks about warm feelings to a pet.
7 Feathers– sublime and bright feelings, striving for spirituality and self-knowledge. In combination with wings it can speak of religiosity.
8 Needle and thread– reflect the desire of the tattoo owner to keep something in his heart. A tattoo can be interpreted as a desire for revenge, refusal to trust others, sadness.
