25 Amazing Chinese Tattoo Designs With Meanings

Chinese tattoo designs have been in vogue and mainstream particularly in the Western world for the last decade or so. Chinese symbols are magnanimous, tiny pieces of art, exotic and unfathomable, and up to snuff for a tattoo design. You will whimsically see a Chinese with a character inked on his or her body. In China, it’s à la mode these days to get inked an English text tattoo, usually full of grammatical errors. For it is being said, the art and writing of the sanctioned Chinese culture have statuesque lines which provide themselves consummately to the art of tattooing. Let us have a look and read below about 25 fascinating Chinese tattoo designs.

Chinese Tattoo

1. Snake

Snake Tattoo


Snake Tattoo1

The above pictures symbolize a “snake” as a Chinese Character tattoo. It is a widely inked tattoo among the people of China. Snakes, since time immemorial, have been affiliated with irreligious symbols of regeneration and generative capacity. However, this also explains why this ink design has the skyscraping position of being widely known as a rejuvenation and transformation. It is also known as the Caduceus and the staff of Asclepius, which is actually the Greek God of medicine, reviving and healing.

2. Dragon

Dragon Tattoo

The Chinese dragon is one of the most widely accepted in the basket of tattoo characters. Dragons, in any case, are the most cherished creatures in Asian culture, be it for the sake of mythology or otherwise. Whether a standard Chinese dragon or a Jade dragon tattoo, these designs usually depict horse sense, pansophy, independence, competence, talent, longevity, abundance and good luck. One can either get it in either black silhouette or can choose from vibrant hues. Also, its designs are varied with no ends, be it tiny winged or breathing fire.

3. Calligraphy Tattoos

Calligraphy Tattoo

If Chinese calligraphy fascinates you, then this tattoo design is specially meant for you. Chinese calligraphy is thought about being one of the highest examples of art finesse. One can have a word or phrase inked in such an exquisite and unique style with a balance of appropriate color combination.

4. Letter Tattoos

Letter Tattoos

Single letter tattoo designs are dime-a-dozen of all Chinese tattoo designs. They are self-explanatory, simple as ABC yet have a lot of comprehensible meanings attached to it. A single letter here can have cool of the coolest apprehensions like peace, unity or any sort of emotion, maybe love, friendship, agony etc. You can have a look at the above picture and find out which thought would look explicit to get stamped on your body. It can be looked upon as a Chinese font tattoo.

5. Animal Name Tattoos

Animal Name Tattoos

Time and again, people commit oneself to get the Chinese name of their zodiac animal tattooed. And the other times they get animal name tattoo to show several peculiarities they stand for or against. Moreover, if you are an animal lover, no one can stop you actually from getting such master tattoos inked. The tattoos shown in above picture can be made more stylish by adding contours to these Chinese fonts and adding an element of creativity in the same. Such tattoos are a must go for those who have immense love for pets or mutts.

6. Chinese Lady

Chinese Lady Tattoo

The tattoo in the high picture is one of the most beautiful and significant lady tattoo Chinese designs. It can be worn by men who are deeply in love with someone from the core of their heart. Also, such tattoos show that you are remembering someone whom you have lost long back. It displays various emotions of a person. One can even get it inked for the sake of its attractiveness. Moreover, if this is getting done by a female can symbolize her unwavering belief and self-obsession.

7. Chinese Angel Tattoo

Chinese Angel Tattoo

Angels, since way back in history, have been kept in mind with a notion that they are the messengers of God. Also, such tattoos announce that you are a God fearing person or have faith in the Almighty. Angel tattoos accompanied with flying wings or great hands are often seen inked among young and gorgeous girls. The most appropriate location for getting an angel tattoo inked would be on the back.

8. Name Tattoos

Name Tattoos

Another amazing option can be getting your name inked in Chinese. You can even adorn name of your near and dear loved ones. This can be accommodated along with tiny motifs or logos in addition to the names. The alphabets in the name look matchless ever.

9. Chinese Koi Fish Tattoos

Chinese Koi Fish Tattoos

Koi fish tattoos are of great significance. Chinese people have an inclination towards koi fish since its very inception. It depicts that one has to overcome a hell lot of adversities through strong willpower and bold determination, that is the only way to achieve desired goals in one’s life. Now, here koi fish can be found in two ways, that is either upstream or downstream. The former represents that person has already blown over tough times and is now on the way of his progression whereas the latter means that his life is still facing turbulences and the person is struggling hard.

10. Chinese Buddha Tattoos

Chinese Buddha Tattoov

The laughing Buddha has been famous all over the world for its prosperousness and good times. They should be black and white while attracting positive attention. They are generally gelled up with the symbol of yin and yang. Such tattoos are gracious at first look and a unique choice in itself too.

11. Chinese Flower Tattoos

Chinese Flower Tattoo

If you are a nature lover, then Chinese flower tattoos are a win-win situation for you to get them inked stylishly over your body. In the traditional Chinese culture, cherry blossoms stand for femininity and love. Not to forget, these type of tattoos give a strikingly feminine look too.

12. Chinese Music Tattoo

Chinese Music Tattoo

Music is a great way to express your emotions without actually saying it. So, people having a proneness towards music can have such tattoos inked to brag of their interest points. Such tattoos give a different look when worn on arms or shoulders or maybe neck also for that matter. One can give a glorifying look by adding elements to it may be a star or something.

13. Tribal Chinese Tattoos and Face

Tribal Chinese Tattoo

Few indigenous minorities in China follow tattoo tradition till today. It is known that they get a tattoo inked on their face right at the time when they get twelve years old. This is done to prove that they have grown mature by this time. Such tattoos are done with symbols and tiny creatures in between the eyebrows and around their mouths. Rare of these tribal tattoos even have mustaches made above. It is pretty cumbersome to find out the exact ancient tribal tattoo because people have started innovating their tattoos within vogue designs.

14. Chinese Tiger Symbol Tattoo

Chinese Tiger Symbol Tattoo

Tiger is seen as one of the most significant Chinese tattoos. It is one of the Chinese zodiac animal signs and also the third year animal in the twelfth year cycle of the Chinese zodiac. Tiger tattoo represents courage, ruthlessness, firmness, aspirations, hope, self-reliance, lack of attention, care and friendly attitude. So anyone, who possess the above type of qualities can get Chinese tiger tattoo inked.

15. Chinese Lion Head Tattoo

Chinese Lion Head Tattoo

Lionhead tattoos have found commonplace in the world of Chinese tattoos. These are usually worn by men. A lion-head tattoo symbolizes attributes like strength and courage.

16. Chinese Fan Tattoo

Chinese Fan Tattoo

Fan tattoos can be worn by both men and women. Fan tattoos can comprise very different things like bamboo, turtle shells, bones, and ivory. Some even have a sort of romantic poetry written on a fan. Fans are made to stand out. It can be seen as a symbol of good fortune and prosperity.

17. Chinese Kokeshi Doll Tattoo

Chinese Kokeshi Doll Tattoo

Kokeshi dolls are originally a North Japanese product but have been widely seen in China too through tattoos. Kokeshi Dolls are usually made from wood, having a sleek trunk and enlarges head, with a few painted lines to give definition to their faces. Kokeshi tattoo represents a character which is benevolent and warm-hearted by nature.

18. A Ying-Yang Tattoo

A Ying-Yang Tattoo

The wall-to-wall yin-yang symbol holds its parentage in Taoism or Daoism, which is a Chinese religion and philosophy. The yin, the dark swirl, is associated with shadows in terms of protection, femininity, and the trough of a wave and the yang represents the light swoosh, representing brightness, passion, positive hopes and growth. Also, inside this yin-yang, one can get inked names of their loved ones.

19. Chinese Phoenix Tattoo

Chinese Phoenix Tattoo

A Chinese Phoenix tattoo resembles flame, rebirth, immortality and new beginning of one’s life. The rising or flying Phoenix symbolizes that a person has gone through really tough times, but has still grown extended his fitness.

20. Live, Laugh and Love Tattoo

Live, Laugh and Love Tattoo

These three tattoos, “Live, Laugh and Love” are very popular among Chinese folks. This clearly depicts they want to live their life to the fullest with rejoicing and cherishing each and every moment. Such liveliness and vivacious attitude can be seen in their fields of work as well.

21. Chinese Lantern Tattoo

Chinese Lantern Tattoo

The idealism behind the lantern tattoo is mostly transparent and self-explanatory.  It is a streamer for light and is used to light one’s way in darkness. One uses it to discover its path and in a way, a lantern is a guide, a pathfinder.

22. Chinese Fire Rooster Tattoo

Chinese Fire Rooster Tattoo

The choice of chicken or fire rooster may seem weird but they have their roots in the ancient culture of the region. A rooster is a proud bird, and surprisingly symbolic.  Such a tattoo looks outrageous and ravishing. Commonly, these are tattooed on sailors foot.

23. Chinese Eye Tattoo

Chinese Eye Tattoo

An eye tattoo can be a “third eye,” which obviously means intuition and the ability to see beyond the obvious or even into the times yet to roll. The eye can also be seen as a symbol for guarding or protecting yourself against evil influences.

24. A Panda Tattoo

A Panda Tattoo

A Panda Tattoo1

Panda has been a symbolic animal of the Asian culture for years together. A bear panda can be taken as the symbol of peace, calmness, and serenity. People choose this animal to be inked on their body either for reflecting that they got a chance to work with this animal and have developed a love for the same or for its deep beautiful meaning.

25. Chinese Crow Tattoo

Chinese Crow Tattoo

A crow tattoo is yet another ink worn by Chinese people. One crow is considered as a bad omen, whereas two crows are seen as a fortune symbol, which is pretty positive. The tattoo of six crows is meant to represent the ultimate reality that is death. The crow tattoo as a whole represents mystery and mythology.

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