30 Amazing Chess Tattoos with Meanings

Looking for a tattoo that is both classic and yet fashionable? Do you fancy some board games too? Then these chess inspired tattoos would be perfect for you. A chess piece or chessman is one of the 32 pieces employed in the game of chess and stationed on the board. There are in fact 16 individual chess pieces used in the game, the King, the Queen, 2 Rooks, 2 Bishops, 2 Knights, and 8 Pawns. One of the most famous board games of all time, chess is regarded as a sport of self-control and talent, so of course, if you require a tattoo to explicate your patient nature a chess piece tattoo is a magnificent opportunity!
These chess inspired tattoos can include anything ranging from the game pieces listed above or the board, or better, in fact, both of them! Such tattoos are really sophisticated and attract a lot of gazes.
The game of chess is almost as old as the tattoo itself. Both of them have a cultural significance which is extremely important for their respective cultures. In each of the pieces of chess, you will find different significance and it totally depends on your personality that which piece will suit you the best. The most important thing is to do some research before you decide to get a tattoo design and this article has tried to provide you with all the information that is needed. Chess has such a great place in the tattoo world that people usually get it done only for its metaphor.

Back between 280 and 550, the game of chess was believed to have been conceived in Eastern India. Back then it was identified as ‘chaturanga’. This implied ‘four divisions’, which was in attribution to the military divisions of elephants, cavalry, infantry, and chariots. These divisions outlined the contemporary accounts of today’s bishop, knight, pawn, and knights. From there, the game grew far east and west on the Silk Road. At around 600, there was a proof of chess by Sassanid Persia. Here is where it grew to be known as ‘chatrang’. The Muslim community commenced playing the game at this time and renamed it shatranj. The game had various names depending on wherever it was being played but ultimately ended up being recognized as chess in Europe.

If you notice when glancing at people with a chess tattoo, they will have all the abnormalities of the game from the board to all the pieces. Below we will go over some of the implications behind the chess pieces accessible on the board. Keep in mind, the person donning the tattoo may have an offbeat meaning but through our research, this is what we’ve come up with.

King Piece

The King is the most vital part of the game because if you lose the king, you’ve lost the whole game. Therefore, it also carries much importance and significance when it comes to the tattoo design. If you are planning to get a king tattoo, you must consider the authority and power it possesses. It is such a prominent piece in chess, it has the same connotations in real life too. However, it is totally up to you to decide what connotation of the king piece suits you better.

Queen Piece

The Queen leads the soldiers on the field. She is the most convincing attacker on the chessboard and can move virtually anyplace she wants. Because of her intensity on the battleground, she is also overwhelmed with the responsibility of tackling too much. When she dies, the rest aren’t far behind. Every man necessitates a strong woman behind them (as the saying goes).

Knight Piece

The knight has an unprecedented skill set. It may not be the quickest or the most efficacious, but it has a place in the world and a very well-defined skill. Those bearing the knight chess piece tattoo know they are skilled at one thing and can often pass up others who may be more adaptable. The knight can also be looked at as symbolizing Divine Law meaning we must take all our actions into account. The journey of the knight creates an ‘L’. It is the only piece in the match that can leap over others.

Rook Piece

The rook is primarily the guardian of the more substantial pieces. They guard and perceive the inner world. It departs linear, to the directions of left and right or back and forth. They can travel far and fast. In the community, they might be known as a bodyguard or a henchman. They are excellent warriors and are very faithful.

Bishop Piece

The bishop tattoo typifies a suggestive force. It can move askew across the board both ways which form and ‘X’. This symbol of the ‘X’ or cross determines us to relieve our yearnings based on ego. If one feels they are an erotic force, they might arrange for the bishop tattoo. If you look closely, it relates to a phallic symbol as well.

Pawns

The pawn tattoo signifies the first step in the manner. They symbolize the amateurs on the road. These are combatants that throw themselves into combat ere anyone else. They can only take one step ahead or cornerwise if they are going to subdue the opponent. The pawns are sacrificial souls who are martyred for the cause of the greater good. Someone might get a pawn tattoo to retain to take things one step at a time. There is no hastening the process.

King and Queen couple tattoo

The king and queen couples tattoo might signify something entirely offbeat than that of those pieces on their own. You tend to see couples get one of each. They are the leaders of their own field and nobody has the right to come in and tell them what to do. The king and queen push all abstractions aside and concentrate on each other. It is a powerful relationship that should stand the examination of time. On the other hand, you could look at these independently and compose your own presuppositions.

We assume that by knowing the above post, you are a little more convinced about the path you want to choose with your chess tattoo. In summation, these pieces can be interpreted however the person being tattooed wants to. We’ve asked people on the significance of their chess tattoos and there is ordinarily a large-scale range of meanings for the people that have these tattoos. At least with the information from above, your decision can be narrowed down. The next action is discovering a shop or artist that you feel content with to achieve your vision. This is a coherent choice for a lot of people and we hope you take your time in handling the investigation necessitated for this significant decision.

Whether in black and grey realism or bold traditional color, chess pieces just look outstanding as a body art! Take a look at these chess piece designs and determine which piece you’ll have drawn up for your own pattern! Below you’ll find some samples of chess tattoos. Take a glimpse and see if anything hits home.

  • Half-done Chess

Chess Tattoo Designs

This chess tattoo design looks unfinished because of the half-done chessboard. You can wear it in the complete design.

  • King Piece Tattoo

Chess Tattoo Designs

Many people do not appreciate the common and single king piece tattoo design. In such a case, you can add an extra king piece to the tattoo just like this.

  • Skull Inspired Designed

Chess Tattoo Designs

  • King and Queen

Chess Tattoo Designs

The most customary chess tattoo idea is the tattoo of king piece and queen piece. Here is a king chess piece tattoo pattern on the forearm of this fellow.

  • Sophisticated Chess Designs

Chess Tattoo Designs

  • Shaded Chess Designs

Chess Tattoo Designs

  • Floral Chess Designs

chess tattoo

  • Spongebob Inspired?

Chess Tattoo Designs

This chess tattoo is quite unique, and if you ask me, it’s probably inspired by some modern art form like the abstract painting. The flowers below add a sublime effect to the whole design.

  • Simple Chess Designs

Chess Tattoo Designs

  • 3D Tattoo Designs

Chess Tattoo Designs

A brilliant idea for chess tattoo would be to analyze the 3D style. Here is a 3D chess tattoo design on the forearm of this chap.

  • Owl Chess Tattoos

chess tattoo

  • Tint of Blue

chess tattoo

  • Duo Tattoo

chess tattoo

The King and Queen are one of the topmost preferences for many people. This design is a favorite among the couples in order to symbolize each others’ goodness & importance.

  • Movie Inspired Tattoo Designs

chess tattoo

Take a shot at guessing which movie character is it?

  • The Team

chess tattoo

In its early form in the 6th century, the game was known as chaturaṅga, which translates as “four divisions (of the military)”: infantry, cavalry, elephantry, and chariot. These forms are denoted by the pieces that would emerge into the modernized pawn, knight, bishop, and rook.

  • Mix Up Designs

Chess Tattoo Designs

If you like indoor amusements and chess is your preference among them then you will absolutely cherish this mix-up tattoo design.

  • Arm Tattoo Designs

chess tattoo

  • Sober Chess Piece

Chess Tattoo Designs

If you are a chess pro then you will undoubtedly appreciate that chess pieces appear in distinct characteristics and proportions. Here is a small size chess piece tattoo design.

  • Adding Nature

chess tattoo

  • Couple Tattoos

Chess Tattoo Designs

While boys should strive for the king piece tattoo design, girls should opt for queen piece tattoos. Here is an elegant king and queen piece tattoo design on the forearm of this couple.

  • Teddy Bear Designs

Chess Tattoo Designs

You can pair up unconventional kinds of tattoos simultaneously with chess piece tattoos. For instance, this is a teddy bear tattoo along with a chess tattoo design.

  • More 3D Designs

chess tattoo

  • Profound Design Ideas

chess tattoo

  • Illusionary Designs

chess tattoo

  • Simplistic Tattoo Designs

Chess Tattoo Designs

This chessboard tattoo picture is amazingly majestic because of the intricate designing of the chessboard. If you want to win at chess every time then you must get one of the pieces inked on yourself for good luck!

  • Full Back Tattoos

chess tattoo

  • Attractive Tattoo Designs

chess tattoo

  • Symbolic Tattoo Designs

chess tattoo

  • Grave Tattoo Ideas

chess tattoo

  • Ribcage Tattoo Placement

chess tattoo

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