There are a variety of old-school designs for cute, small tattoos you might consider if you’ve never been inked before. Choosing a smaller tattoo means you won’t be under the needle for long, it can be placed just about anywhere and your tat won’t dominate your style when it’s exposed. Although anchor tattoo designs were once reserved for sailors, this symbol is now used to signify steadiness in the face of challenge. A star represents direction and aspiration, while a butterfly denotes transformation. Hearts and flowers are both sweet tattoos that have many possible meanings, depending on the specifics of the design. A cherry tattoo symbolizes different aspects of femininity.
Some tattoos don’t incorporate images, but are comprised entirely of text. Mottos or inspirational sayings about life or love that have special significance to you might be interesting options for a tattoo. A delicate script makes these types of tats especially feminine. The shorter the quote, the more options you have for placing your tattoo; long strings of text are appealing when they extend along an arm or across the back.
If your faith plays a major role in your life, a religious symbol could be an appropriate tattoo for you. Select a simple, stylized design for your chosen symbol — cross, sacred heart, Star of David, crescent and star, lotus flower. You’ll not only have a striking tattoo, you’ll also have one with a deeper, personal meaning behind it.
Best friend tattoos are especially cute symbolic tattoos that celebrate the special bond between you and your BFF. You might opt for identical tattoos — right down to the placement — but matching or coordinating tattoos work when you want to celebrate your independence, too. Some pals pick tattoo designs that create a single, larger design when the tats are placed next to each other. A design that has special significance for the two of you adds another layer of meaning.
A skilled tattoo artist is capable of taking a photo of someone special in your life and translating it into a lifelike piece of meaningful body art. It could be a child, a loved one who has passed away or even a beloved pet. Though a well-executed portrait tattoo will get plenty of attention no matter where you place it, reserving a section of skin right over your heart might be the most symbolic choice for this type of tattoo.