The heart has been a common tattoo element since the earliest days of the Western tradition, but a black heart tattoo takes the symbolism commonly associated with this classic design and turns it on its head.
black heart tattoos are not the common red heart ideogram shown on valentines that can be given this stygian makeover – many people also choose anatomical heart designs applied on jet black ink.
Each of the 99 black heart tattoo ideas in this gallery shows what is possible when the most vital human organ is reproduced in this monochrome approach.
1. black heart tattoo for men
A heart tattoo is not just a cute design for women. this is especially true for a black heart tattoo and the more complex symbolism they represent. Many men choose a black heart tattoo as a way to embrace the pain and sadness of a lost loved one, or a suspicion of love and romance in general.
The variety of heart tattoo designs in this gallery are excellent examples of what is possible with this interesting design concept as inspiration.
2. black heart tattoo for women
Men aren’t the only ones who wear a black heart tattoo to represent their feelings of loss and grief. For many women, a black heart tattoo is the perfect option to show their feelings about love and romance; For others, a black heart tattoo can be a reminder of the death of a loved one.
Whatever the meaning behind the heart-shaped design, each black heart tattoo in this gallery demonstrates just how alluring these pieces can be.
3. black broken heart tattoo ideas
Some people choose to add another layer of symbolism into their black heart tattoo by “breaking” the heart. Some black heart tattoo designs here use a classic “crack” in the center of the heart, while others pierce the central idea of the tattoo with a spade or nail.
An interesting piece applies a black heart as a matching tattoo, demonstrating the wearer’s status as “best friends”. here, each tattoo artist uses a unique approach to complete these artistic meaningful tattoo designs.
4.realistic anatomical heart tattoo ideas
Not all black heart tattoos use the classic ideogram in their representation of lost love, pain and sorrow. Many people choose a realistic approach to producing their amazing tattoo idea, and here are some great examples of what’s possible with this anatomical style.
The tattoo artist has created an interesting artistic effect in several of these pieces by incorporating surreal concepts (an anatomical black heart in a bottle is one example) with realistic renderings.
5. black heart tattoo ideas using simple outlines
Not everyone wants intricate details in their tattoos. in fact, many people choose a simple, outline approach to their black heart tattoo design, with some attractive results.
A black heart tattoo is a great option for this approach thanks to the complex symbolism associated with this simple design. this approach also allows artists to incorporate other design elements such as a lemniscate or crescent moon.
6. small black heart tattoo idea
While there is no denying the eye-catching effect of star tattooists’ large, intricate pieces, some people prefer their ink to be a smaller, more subtle heart. Thanks to the instantly recognizable heart shape and the simplicity of the design, a black heart tattoo is especially appropriate for this small tattoo approach.
Although each black heart tattoo in this gallery takes a slightly different approach, they all demonstrate how successfully these designs can be applied on a small scale, whether it represents the demise of a whirlwind of romance on the left ring finger or a simple heart on a doll.
7. solid black heart tattoo ideas
Just as some people want a highly detailed rendering of an anatomical black heart, others prefer a simple heart created with black ink. some of the tattoos here incorporate a black heart into a larger design (the sacred heart and heart and crossbones are great examples), while other designs let the bold black shape speak for itself.
Whatever the approach, each black heart tattoo in this collection demonstrates how alluring this shape can be when applied in shades of deep black.
8. neo-traditional/american black heart tattoo designs
Traditional American designs have been around for over a century and the neo-traditional work of talented artists takes up the “bold and sustained” torch and takes this classic style to the next level. Straightforward and timeless, each black heart tattoo in this collection varies in concept and meaning behind the design, but all retain the must-have elements that define these quintessential tattoo styles.
frequently asked questions about black heart tattoos
what does a black heart tattoo represent?
Just as a heart represents love, a black heart tattoo generally symbolizes lost love, whether family or romantic, as well as being a common symbol of grief and mourning.
what does an anatomical black heart tattoo represent?
Like the familiar heart ideogram, an anatomical black heart tattoo can often have more diverse meanings, though they are almost always symbols of some form of loss or grief.
how much does a black heart tattoo cost?
Tattoo prices vary based on a number of factors and these are some of the variables that will influence the price of a black heart tattoo.
- Tattoo artists charge by the hour, typically starting at $50/hr and going up to $300+ for highly experienced and sought-after artists in busy locations.
- piece size is the biggest determining factor for a black heart tattoo.
- the amount of detail in a black heart tattoo will also affect the price: as the complexity of a design increases, so does the cost.
- full color tattoos are usually more expensive than black work, so this will positively affect the price of a black heart tattoo.
Also, a good method for those who are not sure whether to spend on a large or small tattoo is to take a temporary tattoo test. a temporary tattoo can be very useful if you are unsure about the size, style and placement of many types of designs including a tribal heart tattoo, angel wings, a sacred heart tattoo, a dagger or a celtic heart tattoo from claddagh.
Did you like these examples of black heart tattoo designs? Click the links below for more heart symbol tattoo gallery ideas:
- Top 41 Broken Heart Tattoo Ideas
- Top 99 Sacred Heart Tattoo Designs
- Traditional Dagger Heart Tattoo Ideas
- angel wing tattoo designs
- skull and rose tattoos
- anatomical heart tattoo
- top 47 flower tattoo design ideas
- claddagh celtic hearts tattoo ideas
