Tattoo ideas by motif

Browse by motif rather than by placement. Each idea covers what it means, what size to make it, and where it works best, with a free try-on.

General line art

Silhouette-based line art that stays legible at small sizes, which makes it a safe first tattoo.

moon tattoo

Crescent alone: 3–5 cm. Full moon phase sequence: 12–18 cm vertical, so ribs or inner arm.

heart tattoo

Single heart: 2–4 cm outline, 5–8 cm for a hand-drawn style. Stacked heart with name: 10–15 cm vertical.

wave tattoo

Single wave: 4–7 cm. Repeating band: 2–3 cm per wave. Full wave field for a sleeve: 8–12 cm tall.

mountain tattoo

Single peak: 3–5 cm. Range: 8–12 cm horizontal. Spine piece: 15–25 cm along the back.

sun tattoo

Small sun: 3–4 cm. Radiating sun with 12+ rays: 8–12 cm. Spine sun piece: 15–20 cm.

arrow tattoo

Single arrow: 5–8 cm long. Three stacked arrows: 8–12 cm vertical. Band of small arrows around wrist: 1.5–2 cm each.

infinity tattoo

Small infinity: 1.5–2.5 cm. Large infinity with name: 6–10 cm. Stacked double infinity: 4–6 cm.

star tattoo

Single star: 1.5–4 cm. Row of stars along forearm: 2–3 cm each. Scatter background: 0.8–1.5 cm.

Chinese traditional motifs

Motifs from Chinese and Japanese tradition, each carrying an established meaning.

taiji tattoo

Small taiji: 2–4 cm. Medium with text: 6–10 cm. Large chest or back piece: 15–25 cm.

lotus tattoo

Single lotus: 4–8 cm (8 petals). Large lotus: 10–15 cm (16+ petals). Lotus with water line: add 2–3 cm below.

koi tattoo

Single koi: 8–15 cm. Pair of koi: 15–25 cm. Full koi with water: 20–30 cm.

bamboo tattoo

Single stalk: 3–5 cm wide × 15–20 cm tall. Three stalks: 12–15 cm wide × 20 cm tall.

plum blossom tattoo

Single blossom: 2–4 cm. Branch with 3 blossoms: 10–15 cm. Collarbone piece: 8–12 cm curved.

xiangyun tattoo

Single cloud: 3–6 cm. Repeating band: 2–4 cm tall per cloud. Background mass: 10–20 cm.

meander tattoo

Single key unit: 1–2 cm. Border band: 1.5–2.5 cm tall running the length of a forearm. Wrist ring: 1–1.5 cm.

endless knot tattoo

Small knot: 2.5–4 cm. Simplified knot: 2–3 cm. Large panel knot: 8–15 cm.

ink wash mountain tattoo

Minimum: 10–15 cm vertical for any negative space to work. Ideal on forearm or calf: 18–25 cm. Full back panel: 30 cm+.

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