A great tattoo is meant to last a lifetime, which explains the enduring importance and popularity of family tattoo designs.
There are countless ways to achieve these emotionally charged pieces of family love and affection, but the poignant impact always remains. That’s why adorable family tattoo concepts appear in the list of 50+ best tattoo ideas.
Because each family is a unique unit, the same should be true of the body art a person receives in their honor. Whether the images reflect a shared experience or an uncommon bond, this type of tattoo art always has a symbolic meaning, from a small tattoo of the family name design to the abstract tattoo of a woman’s heart and a little boy.
read on for the top 71 family ideas that will inspire you. You can even find the perfect tattoo to reflect your idea of family tattoos.
1. american traditional family tattoo art
a familiar version of the traditional sailor jerry tattoo made popular in the early 20th century. the colors, while simple, really complement each other well and the lines are sharply drawn.
A different take on a classic American tattoo, “unique” is the only way to describe it. the word family is what gives the ink its designation, as the rest of the images don’t really go by any standard family. definition because it is an octopus upside down clutching some kind of jewel.
This piece offers a new development of classic themes. the weapon is of the old school, with another tradition in the display of the flower and the banner. the quote is original and well drawn, and most likely a narrow single needle kit.
2. photorealistic family symbol designs
This tattoo conveys the same emotions of love, strength, and compassion as seeing videos on social media of servicemen returning to their families after being at war. It really is almost a snapshot transferred to the skin, and it’s a brilliant job by the tattoo artist.
This is a great three part sleeve tattoo idea. The top piece is a mirror of your child’s photograph, while the Disney-style castle symbolizes children and helps tie the top tattoo together with the father and child playing on their steps at the bottom. it’s beautiful art. the tattoo artist has emphasized shading to communicate depth and transition throughout the piece.
The striking use of film to convey a photographic or narrative element is unique. the tattoo itself is a high-quality portrait, but the edges of the film call for a home movie or family camera. it is exquisitely executed.
3. family tattoos of hands and feet
This is a nice take on a realistic tattoo style. shading is well developed, with the grayscale flowing particularly well through the detail of the hands, where it’s supported by the fantastic use of matte black in the creases and indentations. the simply drawn font sums up the message of this tattoo idea with little fuss.
This little tattoo amplifies the traditional birthdate tattoo by adding well-done representations of children’s feet below their date of birth, with the time of birth noted below them.
another tattoo that intelligently uses the theme, this time of each person’s hands, to create the notion of family. the baby’s hand is folded in the mother’s hand, and held by the father, and drawn with great attention to detail. the cleverly drawn pocket watch is set, presumably, to the time of the baby’s birth.
This piece is similar (to the previous captain) although here the baby is holding his father’s finger with a beautiful little doe. The baby’s name, Valeria, is drawn in a Chicano style.
4. body art family silhouette
wow. this is an intricate piece, again using black to show the family ‘together’ in the image. the rest of the setting, everything from the clock to the slabs, is done using intense detail, further accentuating the skills used to bring it together into a complete work of art.
This fantastic tattoo on the chest has a clear and sharp design. the leafy border creates a different dimension, while within this sheet the man’s wife and children are drawn in matte black to create a great contrast to the park and tree detail on the border and bottom. As is often the case, the tattoo is engraved close to her heart.
5. family tattoo of names and dates
This small, minimalist tattoo offers a unique take on the date of birth tattoo. it’s just one year, with the dates (not separated) underneath on notebook paper strung together. either another baby is on the way, or the man is good at predicting future parenting outcomes with the little square left for the number 4.
6. family tattoo script and lettering
This is a Chicano style tattoo with the family stamped in a flowing script, backed by simple black and gray shading.
A huge and interesting take on traditional typographic work, this tattoo combines elements of tribal flow with graffiti. it’s an oversized, eye-catching piece that cleverly blends your linework with tracing.
7. animal representative family tattoo
The family of blackbirds in this piece is a great twist on the familiar motif.
8. family tattoo designs on the chest
This original piece has three separate stylistic elements. uses the trash polka style of combining black, red shadow work and the slightly edgy look to create a piece of art. however, it deviates a bit because it incorporates the cool use of the font with a realistic style compass that is the dominant image in the artwork.
9. abstract family tattoo design
This is a lot to take in, as the half sleeve incorporates three distinct separate styles. the angel is a neoclassical work of art, which is then used to link the familiar huge graffiti-style font incorporating dotwork to provide pattern and shading.
10. matching family tattoo
Frequently asked questions about family tattoos
what does a family tattoo mean?
a family tattoo represents a permanent commitment; People engrave on their skin the importance of their loved ones on a daily basis and the need to take them with whoever takes them wherever they go.
what makes a good family tattoo?
Family tattoo ideas that you can use effectively for a great meaningful tattoo include:
- the word ‘family’ or a family quote
- animals like an elephant family tattoo
- silhouettes of you and a loved one
- family tree tattoo
- a heart tattoo that represents your family group
- a matching tattoo with family members
- an adorable family tattoo like baby hands or feet
- an infinity family tattoo
- the 78 best tattoo ideas for mom and daughter
- simple anchor tattoo ideas
- tree tattoo design ideas
- infinity symbol tattoo ideas
- traditional tattoo ideas for moms
- Top 89 Sister Tattoo Concepts
- arrow tattoo ideas
- quote tattoo designs
what is the tattoo universal symbol for family?
There is no universal symbol for family, however, there are numerous positions and styles of tattoos that a man can incorporate into his body art to acknowledge those closest to him.
For some, something simple like the names of loved ones and, in the case of children, their date of birth, are very popular. The growth in the portrait style of tattoos means that there are also many more family photos being transferred to tattoos, and quotes about family are also frequently used.
Where do I put my family’s tattoo?
In terms of positioning, men often adorn their family tattoos on the chest to exemplify how close they are to their heart, while the inside of the forearm or anywhere else within general line of sight or other considerably effective locations.
what animal tattoo symbolizes the family?
There are numerous animals that a person can represent in a family tattoo design due to the strength of their bond.
Lions have a recognizable family bond and are often incorporated into family tattoos. wolves are also used extensively as they are a pack travel unit with clearly defined leadership and order.
The tattoo of a family of elephants is also popular due to their protective instincts when the herd is threatened, or the timeless images of them traveling tail to tail in family groups across the desert.
Where do I put my family tattoo?
Men often adorn their family chest tattoos to exemplify how close they are to their heart, while a tattoo on the outer forearm or anywhere else within general line of sight are other considerably effective placements.
For a woman, the wrist and inner forearm tattoo are popular positions for that meaningful family tattoo, while the lower leg/ankle and shoulder tattoo positions also represent the idea of the tattoo. family love and can be easily covered or displayed.
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