Vegans choose to be conscious of cruelty to animals while most of the world ignores it. A vegan tattoo might represent the power of your awareness. The Tibetan letter "A," for example, is used by Buddhist mystics as a meditation tool for focusing on the actual outside world, free from the distractions of fantasy and delusion (see Reference 2). Tattooed on your flesh, this sacred symbol could represent your personal renunciation of delusional living.
These animals are staples of the meat-eating world. Imagine having them represented the way bobcats, mountain lions and bald eagles are in fashionable tattoo designs. Work with a tattoo artist who can make a cow look profound, a pig look noble or a chicken look like a symbol of patriotism. A good artist can make these designs look serious, and maybe even sexy.
Not all vegans wear their choices on their sleeves, or announce them on their flesh. According to vegan tattoo artist Annie Mess, the only thing that makes a vegan tattoo "vegan" is that the supplies used don't contain animal byproducts; otherwise, they're just like regular tattoos (see References 1). You may choose a design that has nothing to do with the vegan lifestyle. The statement will be in the ink.