100+ Elegant Tattoo Designs

Tattoos carry a long and colorful history as markers of a rite of passage, as a sign of status or punishment, and in some cultures as a mark of protection to ward off evil. These days, however, we get tattoos under more voluntary circumstances, for artistic or sentimental reasons, or sometimes on a dare.

Tattoos are on many respectable bucket lists but no one plans to go down with a tattoo they are going to regret. If a tattoo is on your bucket list, remember that tattoos don’t have to be loud, big or flashy to look good on you. In fact, we’re going to show you 114 simple yet elegant tattoos that will look just as great.

Bows

The best gifts come wrapped in beautiful bows, so it’s no wonder that bow tattoos are a common favorite.

IMAGE: tatooideas247

IMAGE: love is the strangest feeling

IMAGE: elynarscott

IMAGE: Cass

IMAGE: Amy Grisham

IMAGE: Brin Monette

Nature

Get a tattoo inspired by the softer and beautiful side of nature with trees, rainbows, flowers and more.

IMAGE: Tattoologist

IMAGE: evanescere

IMAGE: So Crazy Dream

IMAGE: Vicky Lea

IMAGE: Alexandra Krause

IMAGE: Tattoologist

IMAGE: Tattoologist

IMAGE: Jojo Neli

IMAGE: Sienna Lowe

IMAGE: Emmanuel Ponce

IMAGE: Gisele Gallie

IMAGE: Tattoo Ideas

IMAGE: Paula Gonzalez

Lines

When words do not suffice, lines can give meaning to the abstract, like how these tattoos do.

IMAGE: Tattoologist

IMAGE: Chan Wing

IMAGE: Amanda Mazzolini

IMAGE: Maša Bratkovič

IMAGE: Hunter Logan

IMAGE: Small X Tattoos

IMAGE: Tattoologist

IMAGE: Tattoologist

IMAGE: Tattoologist

IMAGE: kaayink

IMAGE: josefinecramer

Symbols & Text

Tattoos don’t always have to have a deep meaning. Sometimes simple symbols and short text keep it real.

IMAGE: a-tattooed-flying-bird

IMAGE: tiny_tasteful_tattoos

IMAGE: this_is_grunge_

IMAGE: My Blue Canoe

IMAGE: experimentalcircleclub

IMAGE: piccsy

IMAGE: Manao Patcharapee 

IMAGE: Cloum Cloum

IMAGE: little tattoos

IMAGE: Sandra Sands

IMAGE: Elaine Zhang

IMAGE: Caitlin Fitzpatrick

IMAGE: Tarrah White

IMAGE: kris1803

IMAGE: rachjax

IMAGE: littletattoos_x

IMAGE: beebiddy

IMAGE: k_00x

IMAGE: littletattoolove

IMAGE: Into The Gloss

Tattoologist

Planets & Constellations

Planetary alignments and constellations are also great ideas for simple and elegant-looking tattoos. Here are some examples.

IMAGE: littletattoos_x

IMAGE: Design Milk

IMAGE: Philippa Velhinho

IMAGE: Tattoologist

IMAGE: Kaleidoscope Eyes

IMAGE: m-i-s-o

IMAGE: Major Rose

Music

Whether you are a musician or one who just loves music, you can always keep your love of music close with a tattoo of a musical note.

IMAGE: Paige Kallevig

IMAGE: _esthart_

IMAGE: Rate My Ink

IMAGE: danyleon

Shapes

Can’t decide what quote to base your life motto on? Go with a simple shape like a star, heart or geometric shapes instead.

IMAGE: DaChelle Hickman

IMAGE: Stéphanie Pertoldi

IMAGE: Jossué Sanabria

IMAGE: Hanna Edström

IMAGE: didyoubelieve

IMAGE: gracejuneau

IMAGE: valkung

IMAGE: arefinaria

IMAGE: samanthathathatha

IMAGE: theritztorubble

IMAGE: Melissa Victoria

IMAGE: Tattoologist

Animals

A favorite among tattoo lovers, animal tattoos are symbolic of our love for our favorite animals.

IMAGE: Tattoologist

IMAGE: jsuhn

IMAGE: Elia Hernandez

IMAGE: Kendra Ferguson

IMAGE: krolinktattoo

IMAGE: littletattooideas

IMAGE: Pintsized Permanence

IMAGE: My Awesome Nightmares

IMAGE: Sula Chalifour

IMAGE: Major Rose

IMAGE: Cassandra Nieves

IMAGE: Rate My Ink

IMAGE: Vesna Iveti&#263

IMAGE: Mirhonda Green

IMAGE: Bea Beita Bei

IMAGE: EricAmanda Marcum

IMAGE: Tymeka Lawson

IMAGE: Maurilio Oliveira

IMAGE: sineadlemonade86

Pop Culture

If you love games and tech, or are a movie buff, here are some great ideas on how to show your love for your favorite things.

IMAGE: Natalie Toderan

IMAGE: Ben Moore

IMAGE: Vicky Lea

IMAGE: Kate DeFrancisco

IMAGE: Nicole Harris

IMAGE: Tarrah White

IMAGE: Susan ODonnell

IMAGE: Christina Lchpll

IMAGE: Jeanette Gamble

Others

Here are some other tattoo ideas that don’t need a category to be cool.

IMAGE: deadgirls

IMAGE: Lenora Hendley

IMAGE: tiny_tasteful_tattoos

IMAGE: inkunderyourskin

IMAGE: Stacey Bauer

IMAGE: Jason Connor

IMAGE: Genna Cooper

IMAGE: tinytattoos

IMAGE: Tattoologist

IMAGE: wayaiu

IMAGE: hina_88

100+ Elegant Tattoo Designs