55+ Incredible Indian Tattoo Designs & Meanings - Iconic Ideas (2019) (2024)

Indians, especially women, are one of the most common people with tattoos. They have adored tattoos for many years because of various reasons. These tattoos are usually designed to depict or represent different messages.

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History of the Indian tattoos

The ancient Indians drew objects and symbols on their bodies, including the face and hands. Specific tribes drew the objects to, dating from thousands of years ago. These tattoos were drawn by women and they had a different meaning altogether.

In most cases, the high profile women, like the wife to the lord Krishna, applied the tattoo to show her respect and title in the community. The men also had tattoos, that they were drawn on their back, to represent a title in the society.

Meaning of the tattoos

With the different types of tattoos on the women and the men, they all came with varied meanings. Nonetheless, the tattoos were applied as a sign of beauty, which was mostly the female tattoos.

The tattoos are also applied to protect the bearer against the evil eye and other evil deeds. Many people only apply the tattoos as a sign of appreciating the Indian culture, but each tattoo has a meaning. Some tattoos are believed to protect the bearer, even in the afterlife.

Types of Indian tattoos

There are many types of tattoos that are based on the Indian tribe and each tattoo takes a particular form and symbol. Basically, each tattoo in the Indian culture was connected with magical concepts. One of the most common tattoo was the black dot, which is applied to the forehead or the chin.

This tattoo is meant to protect the person from the evil eye. Though it also shows that the bearer has found a love partner.

• Vibhuti or angara

This is a line that is drawn between the eyebrows will signify the red power. In some cases, ashes will be applied there, which is also meant to protect the bearer from any evil.

• The Panch

This represented the Pandavas that lived together, with one wife, devoid of any disagreement. It is meant to symbolize the unity between brothers and it entails 4 dots in the shape of a square, with a dot at the center.

• Prahs, the 9 planets

This tattoo signifies a greater influence over the mortals’ destinies. It is also drawn as a charm to protect the bearer against the evil influences. This tattoo has many characters, including the lotus, Phul, who is believed to be the goddess of wealth. So basically, it is meant to be a charm for wealth.

• The feather tattoos

One of the most common tattoos linked to the Indian origin is the feather tattoos, though they are most common with the Native American Indians. Every type of tattoo has its own meaning.

The feather tattoos are mostly worn by women and they can be applied on any part of the body. Basically, the peaco*ck is a national bird of the Indian culture and it is also one of the most attractive birds in the world. There can also be other feather design of birds like parrots, doves or crows.

• Bird tattoos

These tattoos will be designed in numbers and they are mostly worn by ladies. They can be applied to the shoulder or the back and they come in different designs.

• Flower tattoos

There are also some flower tattoos that are applied by the Indians. They can be colored and will be applied in different parts of the body. The flowers used include lilies, roses and lotus. These tattoos have no exact meaning, but they only enhance the beauty and are used as an expression of art.

• Animal tattoos

There are different tattoos that are used and they symbolize the character of that animal.

One of the most common animals in the Indian culture is the tiger and you will find a number of tiger tattoos, mostly drawn on the back. Tiger tattoos signify strength, while the lion tattoos will symbolize bravery. There are also other tattoos for animals like rabbits and cats.

Snakes are also popular among the Indian culture and they will be made with varied sizes and curves.

• Religious tattoos

Indians are one of the most religious people in the world and you can find different tattoo designs of the gods and goddesses of the Indian community. One of the most definite reason for having a tattoo in the Indian culture was for the reasons of their religion.

There are signs that are used to protect the bearer of the tattoo, like the Om sign, which is a common tattoo among the Indian people.

• Astrology tattoos

Indians are also closely related to astrology and they are expressed in the tattoos, which are drawn on different areas of the body. These tattoos will be drawn in different symbols and signs and they will imitate the astrology. A common sign of the astrology tattoo is a zodiac sign.

The zodiac sign will depend on the birth period of the bearer and they all have their meaning. The tattoos will have different colors, but the most common are black and gray.

• The sun tattoo

This is also a very common tattoo among the Indian people and it is also closely related to the astrology tattoo. The sun is also highly respected by the Indians and it has a specific meaning. The sun can be applied on the upper arm or the back.

The tattoo will have the face of the sun, with waves of sunlight appearing like flower petals. Some will be colored, but most of them are black in color.

Generally, the tattoos that have the taste and touch of the Indian community are designed with a lot of artistry and also, they will be drawn in different areas of the body, but mostly the hands. They can also be applied with henna on the feet.

All in all, different tattoos will have different meanings and they are drawn with different artistry.