Tattoo Designs & Symbols provides tattoo meanings, overviews and explanations of some of the most popular tattoo designs in the world today. Tattoo symbols & designs on this page all start with the letter A.

Tattoo Symbol Index - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Abyssinian Cat Tattoos - The Abyssinian is a breed of domesticated cat with a distinctive ticked coat. There are many stories about its origins, often revolving around Egypt, but the actual origins are uncertain. The Abyssinian has become one of the most popular breeds of shorthair cat in the USA... more

Acorn Tattoos - In ancient cultures, the acorn was taken as a talisman to ward off evil spirits. In Britain, to carry around an acorn meant long life, good luck, and guidance when lost. Old English folklore says that a woman who carried an acorn on her person kept wrinkles at bay. For Thor, the Norse god of thunder, the oak was sacred because it withstood lightning strikes... more

Alligator Tattoos - Alligators and crocodiles are both members of the 'crocodilian' family, one of the few species on earth that don't hesitate to treat humans as food. That puts them at the top of the food chain, challenging human supremacy... more

Alphabet Tattoos - This alphabet, the one we’re using to write and read these very words, is known either as the Latin alphabet or the Roman alphabet, and is the most widely used alphabetic writing system in the world. Its origins can be traced back to the first primitive impressions painted on the walls of caves.... more

Ambigram Tattoos - An ambigram tattoo is a graphical figure that spells out a word not only in its form as presented, but also in another direction or orientation. The text can also consist of a few words, and the text spelled out in the other direction or orientation is often the same, but can also be a different text... more

American Shorthair Cat Tattoos - The American Shorthair is the 8th most popular breed of cat in the United States according the Cat Fancier's Association for 2006-2007. The breed is believed to be descended from English cats (the forebears of today's British Shorthairs) brought to North America by early British settlers to protect valuable cargo from mice and rats.... more

Anamorphosis Tattoos - Anamorphosis is an artistic technique that creates an optical illusion that tricks the eye and by which the artist may conceal messages or images within a design. When viewed straight-on, the hidden element appears unrecognizable. Only when the observer shifts position and views the drawing or painting from a specific angle is the distorted image reconstituted into its proper perspective... more

Anarchy Tattoos - The usual symbol for anarchy is a stylized "A" within a circle. As a tattoo symbol and design, the anarchy "A" has been very popular with groups whose members have considered themselves as being on the fringes of accepted society... more

Anchor Cross Tattoos - The traditional anchor cross appears in various forms. One variation manages to include three crosses-by 'crossing' the two barbs of the double hook. This symbolism may represent the Holy Trinity to some, or perhaps the three crosses on Calvary. ... more

Anchor Tattoo Designs - The Anchor tattoo is a design that has been a fixture of modern western tattooing for the better part of two centuries, and has even more ancient symbolic roots going back several millennia. The anchor is a favorite of individuals who are associated with marine or naval careers... more

Anemone Flower Tattoos - The Anemone is a flower often associated with death and sleep. The anemone, of course, has come to symbolize the memorial to fallen soldiers of the two World Wars in the form of a poppy. The Anemone is featured in the myth of Aphrodite mourning the death of Adonis -- the flower sprung from her tears. .... more

Angel Tattoos - An angel tattoo design is an overtly religious symbol. Angels are anthropomorphic - meaning in the shape of men - winged forms intended to transmit the word of God to humankind. Angels personify divine will and are the messengers of God... more

Ankh - Ancient Egyptian symbol representing life. The looped cross, in which the ellipse at the top represents the ascendancy of spirit (the next world) over the cross of matter (this world)... more

Ankle Tattoos - When we think of gender specific tattoos, or feminine tattoos meant solely for girls and women, we usually conjure up the image of a delicate design -- flowers, or butterflies, perhaps -- located on a body part like the lower back, the bikini line or breast, the wrist or perhaps the ankle. And for good reason. The ankle is a delicate part of the body, and for that reason, very sexy, and uniquely so to the female of our species. Wherever tattoo styles wander, the ankle is likely to remain an attractive and popular patch of the human canvas for tattoos for girls... more

Apple Tattoos - Apples have long symbolized fertility, love, sensuality and sexuality, temptation and sin. No doubt apple enthusiasts eagerly anticipated the ripening of the fruit of the apple tree with its promise of sweetness to come as they turned from green to red in the rays of the sun. An apple is literally ripe with promise.... more

Aquarius Tattoos - The Western astrological sign of Aquarius forms part of the tropical zodiac (January 20 - February 18) and of the sidereal zodiac (February 13 - March 14)... more

Aries Tattoos - The Western astrological sign of Aries is occupied by the Sun from March 21st to April 19th in the tropical zodiac... more

Armband Tattoos - Armband tattoo designs are arguably one of the most popular tattoo designs around. You see them wherever you look - in urban realms and rural hideouts, on CEO's and bikers, on young women and old men. Whether hidden beneath a sleeve or proudly displayed at the beach, an armband is a classic choice... more

Aztec Tattoos - In the daily life of an Aztec-around 600 years ago-pleasing the gods was a priority. No god was more important than Huitzilopochtili, the sun god, the giver of life and guardian of the heavens. He is depicted as a blue character with a headdress of hummingbird feathers. And fully armed.... more

Tattoo Symbol Index - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z