heart tattoo ideas

Meaningful Heart Tattoo Ideas

Last Updated on October 7, 2020 by Avia

Heart Tattoo Ideas and Symbolism

Meaningful Heart Tattoo Ideas

Heart tattoo ideas typically convey love, friendship and they commemorate our feelings of adoration. They also represent unity and the centralization of life as the human heart is the center engine of life.

The heart symbol itself reminds me of a vessel holding pure potential of love.

I get this from my education in the Tarot where the suit of cups is associated with love, connectivity, intuition, emotion and passion. The suit of cups in Tarot corresponds to the suit of hearts in conventional playing card decks.

Heart Meaning and Tattoo Ideas

The heart symbol also talks about procreation; creating something wholly unique and divine from the union of partnership (like the birth of a child from a union). Why? because the lower portion of the heart symbol represents a triangle, which is an ancient symbol for creation, creativity, and the birth of something new from the culmination of sacred love.

Heart tattoo ideas can also represent a deep spiritual love. To wit, ancient Greeks and Egyptians believed the heart was the center of emotional, spiritual and intellectual life for humans.

The Greeks were convinced the heart was the source of emotional intelligence and specialized thought was born from the heart (not the brain). Some keywords to contemplate while researching your heart tattoo ideas…

Symbolic Heart Meanings – Keywords

  • Love
  • Life
  • Luck
  • Faith
  • Trust
  • Hope
  • Honor
  • Whole
  • Sacred
  • Emotion
  • Courage
  • Passion
  • Central
  • Vitality
  • Acceptance
  • Friendship
  • Compassion
  • Spirituality
heart tattoo ideas
Heart tattoo ideas & Keywords

Heart tattoos with arrows through the heart often hold meanings of the challenges of love. For example, a representation of lasting love in the face of hardship. They are also symbolic of Cupid’s (Eros in Greek myth) arrow piercing the heart and forever joining lovers with his amorous aim.

I’ve seen heart tattoos with feathers, and this reminds me of the legendary “weighing of the soul” ritual performed by Egyptians during mummification. Anubis weighed the heart against the weight of a feather. If the heart was lighter than a feather, then the spirit of the deceased was light enough to ascend through the Corridors of Judgment. This is symbolic of purity in spirit, integrity and a soul worthy of progressing into the Afterlife.

Heart meaning and tattoo ideas
Heart meaning and tattoo ideas

In Buddhism, the heart is associated with the Dharmacakra; the Wheel of Law. In this context, heart tattoos will be symbolic of the perfection of the Universe. It also conveys mindfulness, spiritual devotion and compassion.

In Christianity the heart will continue its theme of love and unity. The Sacred Heart tattoo (a heart with a hovering flame wrapped in thorns) is symbolic of the capacity of Christ’s compassion – a symbol of his enduring belief in the potential of brotherly/sisterly love. It is an icon that beckons humankind to keep the fire of the soul well tended – even in the face adversity.

Heart tattoos with arrows through the heart hold similar meanings. These typically represent lasting love in the face of hardship. They are also symbolic of Cupids (Eros in Greek myth) arrow piercing the heart and forever joining lovers with his amorous aim.

If you need more information on the heart, check out my full article on Heart Symbolic Meaning here.

As always thanks for reading!

Brightly,

Avia

Heart symbol meanings

Symbolic Meaning of Hearts

If this article on heart tattoo meanings didn’t answer all your questions, then check out an in-depth post on the meaning of the heart symbol. Explores geometry, alchemy and physiological symbolism. Get more about symbolic heart meaning here.

Love Stones

Love Gemstone Meanings

There are specific stones that represent devotion, faithfulness and love. These love stones gain their meaning of love via legend, lore as well as physical properties that jive with tender tendencies. Get a whole list of gemstones that represent love here.

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