People Claim These Tattoos Signal Major Red Flags On People, Here Are 40 Of The Worst Ones
InterviewFor thousands of years, humans have marked their bodies with permanent designs known as tattoos. They have varied from plain, sometimes elaborate, other times symbolic, but always personal, and these inkings have served as amulets, status symbols, declarations of love, signs of religious beliefs, adornments and even forms of punishment.
No wonder people’s fascination with tattoos remains stronger than ever. While there’s still some stigma about them in our society, a more progressive approach to our bodies, identity, and self-expression is emerging.
At the same time, some people are slightly more skeptical towards body art. They even claim that particular designs, symbols, and body areas where a tattoo is placed can be read as a warning sign. “What sort of tattoo on someone is a major red flag for you?” someone asked on Ask Reddit, and we looked at what people had to say. Let us know if you agree or disagree with them in the comments!
We also reached out to Alex Alvarado, a tattoo artist at Santo Cuervo studio, and Adam, the studio manager at Vagabond Tattoo based in East London, who shared a couple of insights into tattoo art from the experts’ perspective.
This post may include affiliate links.
According to tattoo artist Alvarado, you can tell a lot about a person from their tattoos. “I’d venture to say you could even guess nationality based on what style of tattoos they have, but the most obvious answer to me would be how much they have (or haven’t) invested in their tattoos,” he said.
Alvarado argues that this isn’t only monetary investment but also in terms of research, time, and dedication. “Getting a good tattoo is sometimes a very multi-faceted process that could even include travelling to see a specific artist. Things like this can tell you how knowledgeable, patient and committed a tattooed person can be.”
Any kind of hate symbol/speech is going to be a no from me.
It's a racist and then turns part of its skin black to show you its a racist. Mf morons
Frankly, I only judge people for racist tattoos. I don't care otherwise nor do I care where people put their tattoos.
I do tend to judge people with bad tattoos but solely because it generally means a) you didn't care to do your research or b) you're a cheap f**k. But I try not to just for the few people out there that got scammed by someone saying they were something they weren't.
And when it comes to the tattoo trends, Alvarado said that there are a multitude of them going on right now and it would depend on where you live, mostly.
“Custom lettering seems really popular at the moment. I’ve seen a lot of very delicate, very intricate Korean-style tattoos lately, and on the opposite end of that, there’s a lot of heavy blackouts going on as well, but it seems all styles seem to be flourishing and being taken to the next level all over the world.” He added that he is mainly a realism artist “and the art I see on social media nowadays usually leaves me in total awe!”
Childhood characters doing something unsavory. Like Winnie the Pooh in a dominatrix outfit. Decapitated Pikachu. Something like that.
Anything political or weed-related. It tells me that has become their identity, basically.
And when it comes to tattoos that seem to be out of fashion, Alvarado said that from what he can see, the '90s tribal style is definitely on its way out. “The majority of cover-ups we’ve done at my studio usually involve some sort of tribal that the client got ages ago when they were ‘cool’ but no longer reflects their taste and personality. But with trends being so cyclical, who knows, maybe tribal will come back in a big way soon!”
Baby’s faces, find it really unnerving, especially on the calf or top of arm. Why does it keep looking at me?
Adorable photograph of a sweet sleeping baby on the left. The love child of Gollum and Sloth on the right.
Anything in a language they don’t speak/have a connection to
Yeah, big regret for me there. Being 19 and stupid, I would seriously like to get rid of it, totally screams whitetrash while at the beach now 😐
The number 88. It's used in the Aryan Brotherhood as an abbreviation for Hail Hitler (explanation: H is the 8th letter of the alphabet)
Meanwhile, Adam, the studio manager at Vagabond Tattoo parlor, argues the opposite. He believes that tattoos don't really say anything. “There are so many different styles out there at the moment and it's so varied that you have people with different styles tattooed on them.” Having said that, Adam added that “one thing I would say is that if someone has a body suit or a large-scale piece, then they are a committed, dedicated person!”
When asked what kind of tattoos have been trending lately, Adam said it’s tribal tattoos that are having a comeback at the moment, but in a new form. “I've seen lots of biomechanical-esque tribal recently, so that may be a new trend.” Moreover, Adam said that “the 'fine line' style is probably the most popular but I don't think anything is the least fashionable right now,” when asked about tattoos which have gone out of style.
“Loyalty” The people I see with this tattoo, they usually don’t appear to be the loyal type
Sort: Exes names
Placement: Face
As the Covid-19 pandemic is over and people are getting back to their normal lives, you may wonder if the initial pandemic-induced surge in people’s interest in getting some ink is over. However, Adam said they have been pretty consistent throughout the pandemic and post-pandemic. “I'd say once we came out of each lockdown was the busiest time period with people wanting to get a tattoo,” he added.
eyeball. As in having your eyeball colored permanently. No, just no. Use cool contacts. Dont take the chance of blinding yourself.
Tear drop under the eye
A teardrop under the eye, if just an outline, Usually means the wearer has suffered pain, or more likely caused pain, or served significant time, for their associates (gang). Perhaps 15 years. A filled- in solid teardrop Usually means the wearer has caused death for their associates (gang).
I thought it meant they made bad choices. I have seen it some quite young people
And now that the summer heat is sizzling and everyone’s getting into the beach mood, more people than ever are willing to get themselves a piece of body art. “Summer is always peak tattoo season! As soon as you start showing more skin, then all you see is the empty space,” Adam told us. However, he added that it's probably the worst time to get a tattoo in terms of healing, but it's definitely their busiest time of the year.
Brand logos of any kind. If you like any corporation enough to get their logo tattooed on you, I’m guessing we have some major ideological differences.
People often do it when companies offer free food in return. Not that that justifies it.
Comedy and tragedy masks. First three people I hooked up with had them in places you couldn’t see with clothes on.
Apparently I have a type.
If I unwrap another human and find one, I may faint.
my coworker married another coworker.. Prior to that wedding.. he asked her to prove to her how much she loved him. So she got a tattoo on her neck with his last name on it.--BIG artistic letters.
Now.. mind you.. this man is a douchebag and a half. and they have "issues" in their marriage.. that tattoo just proves how much self love she had for HERSELF.. which is absolutely 0.
Now before any of you comment let me tell you what she is like. She's very introverted and never speaks up. this guy controls what she eats, what she wears, and he has no shame in telling us to shut the eff up, if we stick up for her... and HR doesn't do anything about it.
This girl still sticks with him. When we ask her why.. she gets quiet and says.. she doesn't have a car and begs us not to get involved.
SO seeing their partner's name on a very clearly visible area while the partner does not have any tatz is a major red flag.
A “Punisher” tattoo. Especially if they’re in any sort of authority position.
Biggest red flag is if it's a cop. The original punisher comic had him going after corrupt police and politicians. Police have since tried to claim the symbol means "no mercy". It's a massive red flag that whoever has it has temper issues and a lack of self control that they see as a badge of honor. F**k those people.
Erogenous zone.
I’m nobody’s idea of a love god, but I’m reasonably capable of finding your happy spots without garish billboards to guide the way. You’re a partner, not a cheesy amusement park.
A few encouraging words and movements is more than enough.
Lips on the neck
Is that a thing? Edit: I googled it. It is indeed a thing. Not a good thing.
I was once friends with a girl who had ten tattoos, all of which were matching tattoos with other girl friends. She’s no longer friends with any of them. Two big red flags there- intense codependent friendships, many enemies/falling outs with past friends. She even tried to get me to do a matching tattoo with her once. No thanks.
I do understand that, but some probably find it a funny/nice reminder of a time they lived through.
I used to work at an all purpose gas station in Pittsburgh, and was constantly told about a customer who had our store logo tattooed on his arm.
Didn't make me proud, made me feel like I was joining a very corporate cult.
A tattoo of their own face... Unless they're Steve-O.
An inspirational quote tatted on someone screams they're trying desperately to prove something to themselves.
Stupid baseless words like “Pay2play” or “Boss movezzzz”
It's rather inexplicable, but Tweety Bird tats attract the worst
Ever notice how almost any woman who exist with this type of tattoo (and lets face it, men simply don't get Tweety Bird tatts for whatever reason) tends to be SUPER unhealthy in their general lifestyle and life choices?
I know this guy with a tattoo across his collar bones that says “Uneducated genius"
I think this might just be an Australian thing but having the southern cross tattoo anywhere is a red flag.
Don't know why it's specifically the southern cross but holy s**t every person I've ever met with that specific tattoo has been a walking red flag
It is the Australian version/meaning as the Confederate flag
Cheetah print 🚩🚩
I swear guys with roses on their hands are generally a**holes.
A rose on the hand typically tends to mean "if things get heated, I'm genuinely not above hitting the woman I'm with."
Being a tattooist for 11/12 years. Really in my eyes it’s usually people with not well done house tattoos who throw up the most red flags.
Thinking they are owed something and plain rude especially when someone is about to stab you lol
In no way am I trying to say house tattoos are bad what I’m saying is the sense of self entitlement and the need to have it done then and there breeds a different type of client that is usually rude or is an a*****e in my experience.
Any symbols of Soviet Union or other socialist countries. Portraits of Marx, Engels, Lenin, Mao etc. The red flag with hammer and sickle of course too.
The old feather and infinity symbol is mostly a giveaway for being a bit uninspired.
An angel forever in my heart. It's my son who died with his footprints and a infinity symbol with a feather. So fk right on off with that MR.
Usually initials, normally of three letters, most associated with gang names
Name tattoos are generally distasteful. You really couldn’t think of a different way to honour your loved one? Knew a guy who had “family” written in a huge terribly overstated script across his forearm… what, like you’re gonna forget?
ETA if you want to honour someone, get a symbol for them or smth that you actually put some thought into. It’s just the effortless name tattoos that get to me
If I see the Eureka stockade flag on someone I get a bit nervous.
Anything that’s trending. Trends DIE. It tells me that the person isn’t willing to put anything unique on their body & they just want to follow with what’s cool right now. For example people who get clocks, eyes, lions, etc.. are probably the same ones who would’ve gotten tribal tattoos back in the 90’s-00’s just because it was cool at the moment. I dont have any hate towards these tattoos by the way. They look nice.. its just people get them because its trending.. so to me that’s a red flag to permanently put something on yourself just because its trending at the moment. Also anything with your ex’s name.
Trends do die…but they can have meaning of their own. My brother got this big tribal tattoo on his neck in the early 2000’s, and after he died my sister got the same on her leg to remember him. She doesn’t like tribal - she loved him. We actually tracked down his original tattoo guy, it was a memorable trip for both of us.
Om symbol- not hating because I imagine a lot of people have one, but I feel like the person is very clearly telling me not to hang out with them lol.
I’m not sure I understand the second half of this. Could someone explain how an ॐ says “don’t hang out with me?”
Any kind of emo/goth cartoon character. Like Spongebob or Patrick.
my ex is 17 so he doesn’t actually have this tattoo but he genuinely wants to get a harry potter death eater tattoo
edit: need to clarify it’s not HP that makes me cringe it’s the death eater specifically
Hi! I have a Death Eater tattoo. Got it when I was 21 (now I'm in my late 30s). I was a huge Harry Potter fan and have a love for villains of many genres. My dumbass didn't see it as racist, my dumbass saw it as a way to show folks my love for villains. It wasn't until maybe the last 2 years that folks started saying how it's racist and the equivalent of Nazi-ism. I still like my tattoo! But I hope it may explain at least my reasoning for getting it.
Clock tattoos. Especially if it comes paired with roses or a lion. It a very specific tattoo but the people who get them are always so rude.
I knew a girl whose initials were VW and she had a Volkswagen logo tattoo. She was obsessed with their cars too; she didn't just get the tat because of her initials.
Tattoos of anime characters. I watch anime from time to time, I’ve seen so many. I read a ton of manga as well. I get if it’s a small tattoo referencing an anime, but big tattoos of anime characters are red flags.
Red flags for what exactly? Their love of a show? Man, this list is judgy.
Getting the generic lion with crown and hourglass or pocket watch, just like the wolf and the owl…
this seems to be an unpopular one and may just be from personal experience but full or half sleeves of one particular fandom/media. Never met someone who commits that hard to harry potter and isn’t a bit off somewhere else
Anything tribal on a neon white man
So you get to decide whether the “white man” has tribal ancestry or not? There are quite a few white passing people from all ancestries. Every ethnicity comes from some kind of tribal background. Are you aware of each tribal tattoo’s inspiration?
Nightmare before Christmas tattoo because you know their going to be very annoying.
Those semi-colon tattoos.
Met, maybe half a dozen men and women with one.
All bats**t, and unapologetic entitled about it...
This is the best answer. You do you with the tattoos on your body.
Load More Replies...Aside from the ones that are racist or otherwise bigoted, this list is really judgmental.
If I could upvote this comment 100 times, I would. You hit the nail square on the head.
Load More Replies...I know quite a few that raise red flags from different regions, though these are more criminal than red flags. Clowns in Brazil mean you're a Cop K I L L E R (spacing because of possible BP censoring), Epaulettes in Russia mean you are a high ranking member of the Russian mafia, Roman Numeral 13 is tied to Latino Gangs, full traditional Japanese backpieces are tied pretty heavily to the Yakuza in Japan, etc. Aside from the ones with hateful natures, USA flags, getting someone else's name, or something in a language you don't understand, most of the ones on this list seem more like bad personal experiences from the posters.
This is the best answer. You do you with the tattoos on your body.
Load More Replies...Aside from the ones that are racist or otherwise bigoted, this list is really judgmental.
If I could upvote this comment 100 times, I would. You hit the nail square on the head.
Load More Replies...I know quite a few that raise red flags from different regions, though these are more criminal than red flags. Clowns in Brazil mean you're a Cop K I L L E R (spacing because of possible BP censoring), Epaulettes in Russia mean you are a high ranking member of the Russian mafia, Roman Numeral 13 is tied to Latino Gangs, full traditional Japanese backpieces are tied pretty heavily to the Yakuza in Japan, etc. Aside from the ones with hateful natures, USA flags, getting someone else's name, or something in a language you don't understand, most of the ones on this list seem more like bad personal experiences from the posters.