The third eye refers to the spiritual doorway that leads to higher consciousness. The third eye often symbolizes a state of enlightenment that has deeply personal, spiritual, and psychological meaning for each practitioner.
The third eye embodies your ability to see both the inner and outer worlds associated with reflection, clairvoyance, out-of-body experiences, visions, and precognition.
Located between the eyebrows, the third eye chakra or ‘ajna’ is the sixth of your seven chakras and translates to “perceive” or “command” in Sanskrit. represents the connection to wisdom and insight, allowing you to access inner guidance that comes from deep within, allowing you to break through illusion and access deeper truths.
Tattoos are often visual representations of a person’s most important internal symbols, helping to make the third eye a versatile subject in ink expression and stylistic inspiration.
Read on for the top 105 third eye tattoo examples followed by helpful contextual questions to help frame your future ink decision-making.
1. animal third eye tattoos
These assembled examples of animal third eye tattoos swing wildly between subtle, understated pieces and outright insane (a black and gray cat even has five eyes!). there’s excellent use of technique, whether it’s shading to introduce fur and feather effects, or vibrant colors that show realism or support the main image. I like how some pieces opt for a mixture of applications, using color and black and gray to achieve contrast in the pieces, or using the geometric and line principle to create larger fragments of body art without restrictions by borders or limits.
2. black and gray third eye tattoos
There are a variety of techniques employed in these black and gray tattoos. many demonstrate an effective combination of line and shadow, especially the other eye of providence tattoos on display that wield fine line black ink and thicker sharpie style approaches. Another interesting aspect is the different placement of these third eyes, either incorporating them into larger tattoo images on the arms or legs, or displaying them in awkward but symbolic positions, such as the hands or the outside of the wrist.
3. color third eye tattoos
These third eye tattoos use wild color palettes and new wave approaches to 3d to make a statement. the third eye is a great symbol to incorporate into a larger, more vivid design, and I like that artists are willing to frame the third eye with other unusual images and vibrant colors. However, I can’t say I’ve ever seen a stormtrooper or bart simpson use their third eye to any ability, they seem more thoughtful/reactive to me!
4. delicate third eye tattoos
These examples show the premise that fine-lined, delicate technical ink can achieve a beautifully engraved and skillfully crafted third eye tattoo. some are almost minimalist in presentation, yet their delicate flow and fine detail make them artful pieces of body art.
5. dreamy/surreal third eye tattoos
There are some strange visions out there, however, that is precisely what your third eye is supposed to promote when you seek to visualize that inner spiritual connection. these ink examples draw effectively and embrace their bizarre concepts by using quality color and shading principles to bring them to life on skin.
6. floral third eye tattoos
Flower inspired third eye tattoos look great in black and grey. the range of saturation and shading styles allows images to look starkly different, as well as stick to annoying eastern and western cultural attachments, such as the classic rose or lotus.
7. geometric third eye tattoos
Most of these geometric third eye tattoos are based on Eastern concepts of spirituality and enlightenment found in Buddhism or Hinduism, or the strong Christian imagery of the triangular eye of providence theme. they may differ in philosophical approach, but share a commitment to applying quality prints that contrast scales and shapes, epic lines, edge shapes, and abstract supporting concepts.
8. great third eye tattoos
The great concepts of the third eye are shown in all their glory, with some transformative ink designs and the delivery exemplified above. large tattoos allow a variety of interrelated themes to be involved in a tattoo, or the singular idea of the third eye can dominate the artwork. I love when subjects (and artists) take significant risks in making great works so visible on exposed flesh.
9. linear third eye tattoos
A professionally done and simply engraved third eye tattoo conveys symbolic meaning with more understatement and nuance than other techniques. there’s not as much innovation, but that’s fine when delivering a clear concept like the tattoos above.
10. third eye ornamental tattoos
These tattoos are effective at taking a central third eye concept and fleshing it out with clearly defined support such as flowers and frames. they create a more versatile image in which the artist can flex his technical power through shadows, colors, pointillism, or contrasting lines to create larger, more expansive tattoos.
11. third eye tattoos with hands
These hand and third eye pieces do an excellent job of creating strong concept images. I love the use of subcontinental style – think Indian and South East Asian henna tattoos with fine line ink and delicate curves and form work, incorporated into the theme of third eye illumination as a frame or accommodation for the idea.
12. third eye tattoos with moons
These third eye tattoo examples in black line style allow the main image to rest on the moon, which can be linked to spiritual awareness and behavior. they are similar to delicate tattoos: they seek more to design the inner vision with subtle ink placement rather than size mallet or wild color/technical applications.
13. tiny third eye tattoos
These small tattoos are small, minimalist pieces of body art that suit a variety of placements such as the hands, fingers, and feet. They may require more maintenance than a larger, solid piece of ink, but can be carefully hidden or subtly revealed at any time, depending on the subject’s desire.
14. neo-traditional third eye tattoos
Neo-traditional tattooing allows old school methods of technical ink to flourish when combined with modern conceptual approaches. The third eye is a tremendously old school concept, but it hasn’t been a big factor in tattooing until recent years as popularity has increased in both the art form and Eastern spirituality. The above tattoos are examples of the successful combination of old and new school in delivering bad tattoos with a crooked third eye.
Frequently asked questions about the third eye tattoo
how can you open the third eye?
Anatomically, the third eye is believed to be located in the geometric center of the brain, located directly between the eyes. the pineal gland “third eye” works in harmony with the hypothalamus gland.
The activation of the third eye can be achieved through meditation. mastering this art helps to activate the pineal gland and the pituitary body. it also teaches you to relax more easily, open your mind and explore your inner awareness.
In chakra systems, the third eye is the sixth chakra. the third eye chakra begins between the eyebrows, just above the bridge of the nose.
This chakra is responsible for the link between your mind and the outside world, allowing you to experience clear thinking and mind expansion by tapping into the third eye. when your third eye chakra is balanced, you access the ability to self-reflection, see the world and understand it.
Other methods to help meditation broaden awareness include fasting, prayer, chanting, yoga, expanded breathing techniques, and a controlled diet.
What are some of the dangers of opening the third eye?
According to third eye philosophy, there are dangers to opening the third eye, particularly when the chakras are out of balance and your inner spirit is out of normal rhythm.
an unbalanced third eye when awakened can lead to a spiritual emergency and internal crisis, which can be demonstrated by hearing voices, visual hallucinations, and other dramatic delusional reactions and adverse cognitive effects.
Is the third eye specific to any religion?
The third eye is documented in all major religions. its main focus is to open consciousness beyond the normal senses to achieve spiritual knowledge and enlightenment.
The concept of the third eye dates back to the wadjet, or eye of horus, of ancient egypt some 4,000 years ago. it was a protective symbol linked to inner vision and remains one of the oldest symbols used to link with inner consciousness.
In Christianity, the concept of the third eye describes seeing in a non-dualistic way and approaching things in the manner of mystics. The third eye is also described in the eye of providence, a popular image linked to God’s watch over humanity from heaven.
The third eye is also mentioned obliquely in the Torah and Koran.
Buddhists consider the third eye to be the “eye of consciousness”, representing the point of view from which enlightenment develops beyond the physical senses.
In Hinduism it is called “the eye of knowledge”. Hindus place a “tilak” between the eyebrows as a representation of the third eye. The third eye is also related to the Hindu god Shiva, the god of destruction. the opening of your third eye is often a harbinger of catastrophe and destruction.
In traditional Chinese religions, such as Taoism, “third eye training” involves focusing your attention on the area between your eyebrows with your eyes closed. the goal is to help students tune in to the undercurrents of the universe and gain a foundation upon which to develop advanced levels of meditation and gain greater awareness.
Do you enjoy these inspiring third eye tattoo designs? click here to see more galleries focused on elements of inner awareness:
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- Top 103 Lotus Flower Tattoo Ideas
- sanskrit tattoo ideas
- eye of horus tattoo ideas
