On our primary thoughts about Mother Russia or the Russian culture, our debauched minds always lean towards vodka and we associate everything else with it, but it’s not the end of it. The next best thing would be, what everyone considers quite aesthetic, their Matryoshka (Babushka) Dolls. The dolls first came into being and publically acknowledged in the 1890s in Moscow and were originally just meant to be utilized as children’s toys. From the year 1900 onwards, they have not only been Symbolic of the Russian Culture but the whole of Russia. Some people are so enthusiastic or we can say patriotic about the dolls, that they get them tattooed in order to show their love for their heritage.

Here are some of those designs that even you can get tattooed despite a different heritage. The Russian Dolls have distinctive symbolism and you can get them inked according to your priority. Check out these 42 cool Matryoshka tattoo designs with their meanings.

MEANING

Mother Love

The word ‘Matryoshka’ is a symbol of ‘mother’. It is representative of a mother who looks after all her kids by providing them shelter within. The dolls are wooden based and one can separate or unfurl them to find other similar dolls but smaller in size. As a beautiful pattern, it keeps on going till you reach the seventh doll which is inseparable. It’s the last one of the lot. The last one holds a great significance as it represents the heart of the mother. There remains no doubt that it is also considered the heart of the whole of Russia. It is without a doubt because the Matryoshka itself stands for Mother Russia. All the dolls inside are, therefore, her citizens or children. That being said and done, it makes a perfect tattoo design for women.

Feminine Side

The dolls represent the feminine side of a being. How you may ask? Well, a woman is always considered as someone who protects her loved ones and takes care of everything. The tattoo can be representative of a mother, a sister, a wife or a friend that plays a vital role in a man’s life. This shows the symbol of respect that a man has for the woman or women in his life. For a female to have this tattoo is a great idea because it can be taken as a celebration of her womanhood. It brings a way to commemorate her feminity in the guise of the dolls. One great idea would be to add a little heart to show the love and affection that women have to bestow. Thus, this becomes a great tattoo idea.

Life

The dolls are a clear representation of life as well. As we unfurl the dolls, each smaller doll represents memories, past experiences and the lessons that we learned through them. As we reach the core, we realize that we have grown up to be more mature than who we were before and hence, the smallest doll represents our wisdom. This can be compared to an onion who has various layers to undo until we reach a substantial part of it. it is a lesson for each one of us that life unwinds itself layer by layer and only by moving slowly and consistently, one can truly enjoy life.

IDEAS

Normally, people get this inked on the upper part of the arm but another great idea can also be for it to be tried on the sleeve. You will have to run through your imagination since the sleeve has a bigger surface area and one can add some other symbolic elements to create a whole look. The dolls rather have a fairy tale look about them which can be furthered by the creativeness of your acumen. For a smaller version of it, you can get it tattooed on the nape of your neck and even side for that matter. Another great option is the finger, which is quite in trend these days.

You can decorate your tattoo designs by incorporating other elements to adorn your ink. There are numerous variations to the traditional matryoshka dolls. You must definitely try and let your imagination run wild. The designs can vary from matryoshka in a traditional setting to something that is beyond this world. Literally. It can have a realistic look or can be something caricaturish. People usually add something related to themselves or their culture. There are more than a hundred ways to personalize your ink and that totally depends on how you like it to be.

When it comes to traditional tattoos, you must do a little research before delving into anything as permanent as this. A background check is never harmful and who knows it might lead you towards some creative ideas.

Motherly Doll

The true definition of a matryoshka is a mother. Needless to say then, you can put the matryoshka doll as an honor to your mother. However, expand your horizons as the nesting dolls don’t just represent motherhood, it can also represent sisterhood or womanhood. As mentioned above, the nesting dolls aren’t just wooden toys for children to play with. It is representative of a number of things. It is not confined to being tools for children to figure out the tricks behind the design. The biggest doll is the mother or the woman and all the other smaller dolls that are contained in it are its seeds.

Cute Cat Matryoshka

Well, who said that love can be limited just to your mothers or sisters or wives? The love that you share can also be for your feline, probably? This is a creative way to show your affection towards your pet or your interests in general. There can be other variations of this design too where the cat can be replaced with some other animals that you love. So go ahead, animal-lover.

Blue Matryoshka

This design gives such a pristine vibe to the doll. The doll serves as a symbol of peace and tranquility here. The floral pattern gives it a feminine touch. The overall design has a soft tone.

Matryoshka Holding Cat

Well, who said that a woman can only take care of her loved ones? Can’t her loved ones include the animals she admires? This nesting doll looks adorable as she holds a cat. This is very suggestive of her complete little family.

Black Cat Doll

More than a nesting doll, this looks like a cat in a vase ( a very elegant and majestic cat, though!) The intricacies of the nesting doll is done amazingly. It gives the whole design a sophisticated tone.

Black and White Doll

This black and white nesting doll looks very elegant. Her cheeks look very cute and her hair has been done very intricately. The detailing of this design is gorgeous and the flower in the middle of the doll gives it a feminine touch. Overall, this is a super delicate design.

Dominated by Black

Although black is the overpowering color, it makes the tone of the colorful flowers come out even more. It is this black color that gives it such a distinctive look.

Traditional Matroyshka

This pattern looks really homely and something you can relate to. It has a high degree of motherly vibes to it. I can say that this represents the traditional mother in Russian Culture.

The Pirated One

So….well, this one has clearly changed her profession from being a homely mother to a pirate. What a welcoming transformation, isn’t it?

Blue and Yellow

The yellow eyes of this doll are quite piercing. It looks as if she is looking straight into your soul after you’ve broken her favorite vase!

Wrestling Matroyshka

We all will have to consider this one because, during the hard times, it was the women of the country who took up to be a fighter.

Rose Matryoshka Doll

Supplementing the design with roses can outline femaleness. It can also signify temptation and contentment in being a woman. It is a commemoration of womanhood. While, lively, elegant tattoo designs can represent sisterhood too. However, as the time is changing, some Russian doll tattoo patterns can be represented as someone into industry businesses, global leaders, and modern fairytales.

The Doll Family

The adult of them all basically serves as a dominant female matriarch who is the chief figure of any traditional Russian family. The little figurines unearthed inside the largest doll are its children. Accordingly, it would be obvious to say that the meaning of matryoshka incorporates maternity and fertility.

Skull Matryoshka Doll

This doll has such a baby-like face but what is interesting is the fact that one can see her bare ribs protruding out of her. The cross that she’s wearing has definitely something to do with her faith in her religion.

Colorful Outline

The nesting doll is not only limited in meaning to motherhood and fertility. One of the meanings can be represntation of Russia too. The bigest doll can be seen as Russia, also the origion place of this toy, while the other diminutive figurines represent the people of the country. Therefore, the whole toy represnts the mother country with her children who are both responsible for each other’s protection.

Womanhood Nesting Doll

How can womanhood be more explicitly told if it’s not for this tattoo pattern?

Black Nesting Doll on Shoulder

Red and Black Contrast

Geometric Nesting Doll

This doll pattern has a quite geometrical approach to it. I guess it is this thing which makes it pretty modern too.

Love and Care

You can get something inscribed right where the heart of the nesting doll is. In this design, it is “love and care” which is the primary aspect of any mother or woman in general. Similarly, you can get the name of the woman in your life inscribed and let them know how close to your heart are they.

Colorful Matryoshka

This is a very vibrant and colorful pattern. All the color shades are quite bright and the design is a great change from the usual black and white patterns.

Floral Nesting Doll

Gothic Nesting Doll

This gothic nesting doll has a distinctive peculiarity about it. Although it seems to be quite scary on one hand, on the other, it is similarly attractive too. This is definitely one of the most unique pattern of this design.

Pirate With a Skull and a Sword

As we mentioned before, a woman can be anything… yes, even a pirate! So beware!

Glowing Nesting Doll

This nesting doll has something so divine about it. It is almost like a halo around her which gives that sense of divinity. This tattoo is also symbolic of sacrifice that a mother or a woman has to make in her lifetime. It is when she is dismantled that she can provide for her children.

Dolls With Banner

Matryoshka dolls can also represent life in its most natural form. Each of us is a different human being with several complex experiences and realities. The tiny dolls inside the biggest one symbolize our soul, personifying innocence and the authentic spirit of ourselves.

Ghost Matryoshka

A Touch of Japan

This doll pattern can be seen as incorporating both the Russian and Japanese cultures. The floral pattern in the background is quite similar to the Sakura Flowers that bloom in Japan. Similarly, one can entwine two cultures in a very similar fashion.

Sailor Nesting Doll

The anchor embedded in the heart of the nesting doll represents a sailor spirit. It can be an ode to all the sailing adventures that the wearer might have had.

Skiller Sailor

This tattoo reminds me of a quote that goes on like this…”A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.” If given a thought, this quote represents our lives too. A smooth life can never provide us with wisdom. Wisdom and maturity are only possible through various experiences and adventures in life.

Freedom of a Bird

Full Chest Tattoo

Not only is this tattoo exquisitely beautiful, but it also represents many symbols combined into a wholesome pattern. The nesting doll rests on a flower bed and is surrounded by rich flora. The birds surrounding it gives it a free vibe. There are peacock features too if you’d notice. This definitely stands as a vibrant piece.

Geometric Patterns

Every person is unusual in his own way. Hence, you would need to get a matryoshka ink design that manifests your disposition. There are multiple layouts to decide from, and whether you obtain the design from an existing design or formulate it by your own self, you require your character to spring out. A matryoshka doll is not just a memorial or a souvenir from Russia. It is a handcrafted wooden doll and a form of art that integrates more than just a female representation. The true metaphorical significance of this keepsake is our own self. It exemplifies our anecdotes, encounters, and sentiments.

Too Morose For Some

A tattoo is not always a permanent form of art. Though there are tattoo replacement services and otherwise it can be completely removed too, but they can be an unpleasant experience literally and financially. Choose a design that you will savor for the subsequent years. Don’t get yourself inked when you are drunk or under the influence of someone else because then, you will definitely regret your decision. So even if it the tattoo is something morose or too gothic, be sure that it’s your own personal decision…and definitely think twice!

Spooky Matryoshka

This design on the woman’s thigh is very attractive. The design includes a smiling skull which can be spooky at times, but most of it all, it represents some deep layers of meaning which can be unique to your sentiments.

Doll With a Moustache

You would still require to exercise your creative juices while planning your Russian doll ink, even if it means getting motivation from others, for it to be something unique. Understand that your tattoo is more than just a piece of art. It describes the account of the whole course of your existence, which is a metaphorical significance of Russian nesting dolls. Let your fancy run free so that you can arrive upon a unique matryoshka ink.

Rose Matryoshka Skull

Mandala Design

Not typically a mandala, this design comprises of inspiration from mandala design and is used to supplement the Traditional Nesting Doll.

Old-School Nesting Doll Pattern

Embellished Nesting Doll

Before proceeding to a tattoo artist, ask yourself if you want a vibrant tattoo pattern or a monotone tattoo. While the colorful tattoos can become too flashy, the black and white one can become too monotonous. You need to find a perfect balance for a perfect ink. Anyway, the Russian Matryoshka doll ink will look great on you.

Icecream Sundae?

Is that an ice cream sundae right there? The tattoo has been designed in such a way that the sundae and the doll have similar patterns on them. Quite a creative take on the nesting doll tattoo. Try getting a pizza tattoo with a nesting doll tattoo instead, just saying!