Tattoos have been around for thousands of years, and techniques for designing and tattooing have developed and changed over the years. In this complex age with busy lifestyles and careers, getting a minimalist tattoo can be a discreet way to symbolize something important without jeopardizing your work’s dress code policy.
Minimalist tattoos are simply understated designs and patterns with huge meanings. This style of tattoo can be discreet, cost less, and even save you time in the artist’s chair. From geometric shapes to minimalist sleeves, these designs usually have a personal meaning and add art to your life.
Have you been thinking about getting your first tattoo or another tattoo to add to your collection? Have you considered a minimalist tattoo for a more inconspicuous look?
What Is a Minimalist Tattoo?
A minimalist tattoo usually is a very simple drawing defined only by lines. It’s based in the minimalist belief of “less is more”, so only by the essential lines. There’s nothing intricate about them in most cases-it’s only a simple line drawing of something that has meaning to the holder of the tattoo. Plus it’s a good way to not get in trouble at work!
Why Get a Minimalist Tattoo?
Different people get minimalist tattoos for different reasons, but most like their subtle appeal and simplicity. Some get minimalist tattoos because they mean something special or signify an important date or time. Deciding to get a minimalist tattoo is a very personal choice.
So if it’s only a basic line drawing, why get a minimalist tattoo? There are multiple reasons why! Let’s take a look at some reasons to get a minimalist tattoo:
- Simple yet elegant drawing
- Less time in the tattoo artist’s seat
- Less pain
- Costs less
- More meaning
- Discreet but powerful
- Usually small in size
- Easier to conceal
There’s something beautiful about minimalist tattoos-partly in their simplicity but mostly in their meaning. Every tattoo has some sort of meaning behind it, but minimalist tattoos portray their meanings in an elegant yet powerful way.
Popular Types of Minimalist Tattoos
There are several popular types of minimalist-style tattoos, some chosen from an internet search or artist’s photo book search, and some chosen to represent a special someone or even a personal experience. Sometimes it’s even a special design drawn by the person wanting the tattoo, usually all in black ink. Let’s take a look at some popular minimalist tattoos.
Minimalist Sleeve Tattoos
Now I know this sounds like an oxymoron, but minimalist sleeve tattoos are not the standard sleeve tattoos. They don’t necessarily cover every square inch of the arm like the typical sleeve tattoos. Minimalist sleeve tattoos can range from a few lines encircling the forearm to simple designs scattered along the arm. This type of sleeve tattoo is understated rather than “in your face”-much more workplace friendly than what comes to mind when you think of sleeve tattoos.
Abstract Minimalist Tattoos
Abstract minimalist tattoos can range from small, modern-looking shapes to what looks like a brushstroke with black ink. These also range in size depending on what you want and what you’re trying to convey. From twisted lines to star constellations, abstract minimalist tattoos can convey a powerful meaning without taking up a great deal of landscape (or ink!).
Minimalist Tattoos With Meaning
As a proud tattoo wearer, I can tell you every one of my tattoos has a personal meaning. Minimalist tattoos with meanings are both personal and well-known, with tattoos that represent everything from an anchor representing travel to the circle of life representing birth, life, and death. Even morse code can be used as a minimalist tattoo with meaning!
Minimalist Tattoos for Girls
Just like with regular tattoos, there are some minimalist tattoos that might be seen as more appropriate for girls. From a delicate flower or butterfly to a crown, some minimalist tattoos for girls just have a special meaning for the female sex. These beautiful little designs can empower a girl to embrace her history, her personal power, or even to be a reminder of who she is deep down.
Minimalist Tattoos for Guys
Many tattoos can be seen as very masculine, and there are minimalist tattoos for guys that they might find fit just what they’re looking for. These designs can range from a simple lightning bolt to a patterned arrowhead. Symbols of masculinity, power, or even love for a partner are some ideas for minimalist tattoos for guys.
Delicate Minimalist Tattoos
For any gender, a delicate minimalist tattoo can pack a great deal of meaning with a more fine touch. Examples of these include a single branch, a flower, and even a signature of someone special. Delicate minimalist tattoos are generally created with finer lines for a more discreet look, still packed with meaning!
Minimalist Cat Tattoos
Minimalist cat tattoos are a fun way to symbolize and cherish your favorite pet. These can be abstract or more realistic, from a single swirled line cat design to a solid black silhouette, or even just a few lines to denote ears, whiskers and tail. If there’s a special cat in your life, why not remember them forever with a minimalist cat tattoo? And if you don’t have a cat-consider a minimalist tattoo of whatever animal you’d like!
Minimalist Flower Tattoos
A minimalist flower tattoo can give you an excellent excuse to add just a tiny splash of color to your body. From a single bud rose to a delicate bouquet of lavender, minimalist flower tattoos are pretty and can represent the flower gardener in your life, your partner or your parents, or even your child-it’s up to you! Don’t want color? Then you can just get the outline of a flower, branch or bouquet.
Minimalist Finger Tattoos
Now these are fun and even surprising at times-minimalist finger tattoos can be a single line to represent your wedding ring to the outline of a leaf on your thumb. Even just a few dots below a fingernail can express something meaningful to you. There are many meanings behind finger tattoos, and these are especially easy to hide when they’re on the side of your finger or can be disguised with a ring. Something to note-because of the nature of finger skin and how much we use our fingers these tattoos can fade quicker than on other areas of the body.
Here are some fun, minimalist tattoo ideas for both men and women.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKvxTr2RbLQ
Minimalist Geometric Tattoos
Minimalist geometric tattoos are an interesting way to add art to your skin. From a single triangle to a mountain range represented by prisms, these are a simple and abstract way to create interest and symbolize something of personal meaning to you. Plus they’re a really cool way to portray anything because of their angles while keeping it fairly simple.
The Personal Meaning of Minimalist Tattoos
Just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so is the meaning behind tattoos. The personal meaning of minimalist tattoos is just that-personal. There may be national or even global meaning behind a tattoo, but you don’t (usually) just get a tattoo for the heck of it.
Before getting a minimalist (or any for that matter) tattoo, it’s a good idea to look up designs and what they actually mean. The last thing you want is to get a tattoo that means something different from what you originally intended!
Other Resources:
- Minimalist Aesthetic – How to Incorporate This Clean Style
- Wabi-Sabi – Incorporating An Aesthetic of Imperfect Beauty
- Minimalist Flower Tattoo – Beautifully Simple Body Art
- Minimalist Tattoo Ideas – Inspiring Designs and Examples
Tattoos have been called an art form by some, and an addiction by those who bear them often times. Minimalist tattoos can be a great way to express yourself, symbolize something important, and even represent a global perspective without breaking the bank, offending customers, or getting in trouble with HR. With all the options discussed here, which minimalist tattoo will you get next?
