ADVERTISEMENT

If you ever thought that tattoos are just some pretty pictures and adornments, you couldn't be more wrong. Since the dawn of tattoos in 4 millennia BC, the tattoo designs always had meaning to them. Whether it was religious markings or illustrations about particular humans lifetime achievements, they were always meant to convey a message of some sorts. Skipping forward to our age, some of the tattoo symbols have lost their intended context along the way, but there are still people who like to translate hidden messages and more profound meanings into their tattoo ideas.

If you are searching for some inspiration and drawing ideas, Bored Panda has compiled a list of tattoos with meaning for you to take a look at. They might look ordinary, but on closer inspection, you'll find that each contains its own special hidden meaning. Some of them change depending on what angle you're looking at them, some of them only work when combined with others, and some of them even glow in the dark, all the while masking some deeper tattoo meanings.

See for yourself in the list below, and don't forget to send us your pictures if you have any meaningful tattoos that even a cave dweller would be jealous of!

#1

Cheshire Cat Tattoo Where A Full Cat Appears Under Black Light

Tattoo with hidden meaning, showing a cat under blacklight, revealing clever design.

Jake Kalua Report

Olga Snipes
Community Member
9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great idea, I just wish it was done in more elegant way

View more comments
RELATED:
    #2

    Hidden Message Tattoo

    Intricate tattoo on a person's back, featuring a clever design with hidden meaning.

    Weasel Report

    ANGELAA
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "God is an imaginary friend to grown ups"

    View more comments
    #3

    Harry Potter The Marauders Map Tattoo With Words Appearing Under Black Light

    UV tattoo with hidden meaning: "I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good" illuminated under blacklight.

    Report

    #4

    One Foot In The Grave... Literally

    Clever tattoo with hidden meaning on leg, reads "One foot in the grave," shown with prosthetic limb.

    Albatraous Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    "Everything Has Beauty But Not Everyone Can See It" Black And White Ink Tattoo

    Hidden meaning tattoo with layered text: "Everything has beauty, but not everyone can see it."

    dear-sweetheart.tumblr.com Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #6

    Ambigram Tattoo With A Powerful Message

    Tattoo on leg with hidden meaning showing "I'm fine" from one angle and "save me" from another.

    Bekah Miles Report

    #7

    Anamorphic Skull Tattoo

    Finger tattoo with hidden skull design.

    Pablo Garcia Report

    #8

    Secret Light-saber Tattoo That Shows Under Black Light

    Finger tattoo with a hidden lightsaber theme, glowing under UV light.

    Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    Connect The Dots Giraffe Tattoo

    Hidden meaning tattoo of a connect-the-dots giraffe on a person's leg, revealed with a red marker outline.

    Colleen AF Venable Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #10

    Trampoline Tattoo Where The Stick Man Jumps When You Bend Your Palm

    Minimalist tattoo on a palm with clever hidden meaning, depicting a stick figure on a trampoline.

    Report

    #11

    When Everyone Thinks You Are A Saint But You Secretly Know You're A Sinner

    Ambigram tattoo reading "saint" and "sinner" with hidden meaning in stylistic script.

    HotWheeler Report

    Celia McDaniel
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just making sure... Does that say Saint and finest?

    View more comments
    #12

    Secret Heart Tattoo Which Makes Sense Only When You Hold Hands With Your Significant Other

    Two hands holding each other with a small, clever heart tattoo on a finger, symbolizing hidden meaning.

    Report

    Emily Rose
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't think anyone holds hands like that... ?_?

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #13

    Secret Sword Tattoo That Only Makes Sense When You Put Your Hands The Right Way

    Man with clever tattoos, including a dagger design on his knuckles, symbolizing hidden meaning.

    Report

    Craftykit
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow... The way he holds his hands makes it look like he has a ton of fingers

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #14

    Positive You'll Never Regret Getting It

    Ambigram tattoo on arm reading "Regret nothing," showcasing clever hidden meaning.

    LampSwitch Report

    #15

    Two Tiny Tattoos That Make Sense When You Put Your Fingers The Right Way

    Fingers forming a hidden meaning tattoo of a bow and arrow when crossed.

    Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #16

    Optical Illusion Tattoo Where You Can See Two Things At Once

    Tattoo of abstract shape with hidden meaning on a person's chest.

    Report

    #17

    Shark Tattoo Only Visible When You Hold Your Hands Like This

    Two hands with clever tattoos of shark halves creating a complete shark when fists are placed together.

    Report

    Samia Guled
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is the shark coming out of the hand?

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #19

    Connect The Dots Snail House Tattoo

    Tattoo of a connect-the-dots snail with text "Nothing lasts forever," symbolizing hidden meaning.

    Emon Surakitkoson Report

    Tiffany Shim
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is that an Infinity tattoo at the end of "Nothing lasts forever" ?

    View more comments
    #20

    Home Is Wherever You Are

    Two wrists with clever tattoos of an owl and a tree, symbolizing hidden meanings.

    Report

    #21

    This submission is hidden. Click here to view.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda