The most common meaning of the praying hand tattoo is linked with religious connotations for most religious groups. However, for countries like Japan, China and India (and probably even more!) folded hands are actually a sign of respect and means ‘thank you’. The iconic pattern, which is often associated with religion, is depicted by German painter, Albrecht Durer in the year 1508. You can still have a look at it if you visit the Albertina Museum, Vienna, Austria. Many people incorporate other designs along with it, like quotes and sayings from the Bible, angels or virgins, symbolic cross, thorns, and rosary beads, there is much more meaning to it than just being a religious symbol.
In real, the folding of two hands is considered quite spiritual too. When the hands are harmonized in a union, it conveys the synchronization of the mind and the body for a wave of absolute peace and consistency. There are others who take this symbol to be a way of honor or probably of remembrance of some lost family member, a beloved or a friend. It can be taken as a small reminder of hope in the darker times of our lives. It seems to ask us to hang on to the positives.
Besides the fact of how you interpret the meaning, the folded hand tattoo is quite a popular one and so, we have created a list, including everything from a small design to a huge one, from a simple one to an intricate pattern and right to the 3D designs. So go ahead and read on to know more!
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No Fear Folded Hand Tattoo
If you take the advice of a tattoo enthusiast, you’ll get to know that the best kind of tattoos is the ones that have some meaning behind their creation. Only few more tattoos with some other symbols, besides just praying hands, have more meaning to it. This particular tattoo design is a reference to something religious. It contains a banner that proclaims “Do not fear” which is obviously a remembrance for strength and courage. It is a profound dedication to one’s belief and faith.
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Goon Tattoo
There are multiple design ideas if you are thinking about getting yourself inked in the praying hand pattern. There is definitely no shortage when it comes to the meaning behind this pattern. This tattoo idea is a good way to showcase that you are quite a religious-minded person. Besides, this tattoo is quite intense. It has a colorful banner that explains the zest for life.
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Realistic Praying Hands
The most trustworthy tale of the foundation of this tattoo reaches us through the story of an 18-year-old German craftsman called Albrecht Dauer. Sticking to this narrative, it is believed that Albrecht composed the praying hands as a token of affection for the mayor of Frankfort in the 15th century. The mayor accepted the present with much enthusiasm as he acknowledged it as a beautiful composition of art. He was so gratified with the artwork that he even approved it as an altarpiece in 1508. Following the commissioning, it matured into something very attractive, however, a fire in 1729 devastated the original one. However, there were other prints and some illustrations that Albrecht had initiated. Taking inspiration from these copies, the people commenced the work of replicating this artwork into different mediums and ultimately as a form of body art on their bodies.
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Roses and Rosary
Like any other kind of tattoo design, these tattoo patterns also have various meanings to different kinds of people. What each tattoo stands for depends on the person who is getting himself or herself inked. The location of the tattoo is also of utmost importance. Some people also get a tattoo just for the sake of it or probably because it is in vogue these days. This tattoo design on the side of the stomach looks quite attractive with the red rose that’s further tattooed on the folded hands.
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Honoring a Loved One
Many a time, people get tattooed not fo themselves, but to represent their love and affection for someone else who is close to their heart. Such tattoo designs can also be associated with the story of Albrecht who painted this design of a folded hand to venerate his brother who had to forgo his creative passion for him. Considering the family of 18 kids was poverty-stricken, they could only manage to pay for one artist and so it was decided by the toss of a coin that between Albrecht and his brother, who would pursue his dreams. Albrecht won the toss, and that is how he grew up to be an artist and so as a matter of commemoration for his brother, he chose to illustrate the two praying hands. Now, people do something similar to value a special person in their relatives or friend who has passed away.
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Overcoming Hardships
This particular tattoo can be used to represent the kinds of worries and setbacks faced by people in the course of each day and how they still manage to overcome them successfully. It can also symbolize the hardships faced by parents in order to raise their children and the love and affection associated with it. This is the everlasting bond between the parents and their kids that can be represented by the means of folded hands tattoos. In fact, even a child can get inked in order to be thankful to his parents.
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Religious Devotion
The folded hands are seldom used for religious devotion purposes. This 3D tattoo looks quite amazing and enhances the religious significance for the wearer. When both the hands are folded and the eyes are shut in order to pray, it brings a kind of spiritual peace and tranquility. The person becomes more focused.
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Only God Can Judge Me Tattoo
The designs and variations for folded hands tattoo are countless and the reason is that people have become more and more creative since the rise of body art fashion. There is a rage for creating as many distinctive tattoo designs for themselves as they possibly can. All the praying hand tattoo designs have a distinctive element in them which makes them unique. The inclusion of a banner with a specific message on it is one of the most popular tattoo variations.
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Tattoo With Script
While many people like to add the lines from the bible, there are others who personalize the tattoo by adding something of their own. The words are often written above or below the folded hands. This is a symbol of religious devotion or if you want to thank the Lord for something. In this tattoo, the text is inscribed in Spanish and it serves like a thank you note to the god for his family.
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Rosary Tattoo Design
This kind of tattoo design is synonymous with a Catholic raising. It shows the two hands folded affectionately in a prayer position including a rosary. This is not just a symbol of devotion but also how the prayer ceremony is conducted. The rosary is correlated with the Roman Catholic Church and hence, it is symbolic of Catholicism.
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Praying Hands With a Cross
Besides a rosary, a cross is yet another element that enhances the beauty of a religious tattoo and is quite popular even if solely inked. There are multiple ways that you can use to add a cross to your tattoo but the best is shown in the picture above, which depicts the hands handling the cross. This design also incorporates some dates written on a banner which could be the dates that are related to your loved ones or some other important significant events in your life.
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Biblical Hands
Moving a step further and if in case you have a broader space for getting your tattoo inked, you can add a bible to your tattoo. This is another way of expressing your Christian belief. There are other variations too which can be shown as hands resting on the bible or the bible kept in a proximity to the folded hands.
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Crown of Thrones
Here, the folded hands are encompassed in a circle by a crown of thorns. It is a great way to add some meaning to the design. This wreath of thorns could also be placed in front of the folded hands as a slight variation to this design. I guess, both the variations would look quite unique but you must prefer the one that suits your disposition.
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Hands With Doves
The doves are often associated with peace and hence, they hold a significant place in Christianity. There are many biblical references when it comes to portraying the meaning of the dove. The combination of two of the most prominent symbols of Christianity is a great way to show your tremendous belief in peace and religion.
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A Praying Mary
This design is certainly the most distinctive one as compared to the ones we’ve previously seen on this list. Here, the praying hands are a part of the design but they do not have full attention. This design represents a praying angel which can be the Virgin Mary, the mother of baby Jesus. Of course, there is no doubt about the fact that this tattoo will acquire a bigger area than the rest of the tattoos, however, if you are not big on the details, you can ask your tattoo artist to compress the size for you.
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Colorful Background
It is true that colors can add a huge amount of vibrancy to your tattoo design. Here, the addition of colors has made the folded hands seem more uplifting with the bright color shades in the backdrop.
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Skull Praying Hand
Religion has a huge part in our lives no matter living or dead. Anyone and in any form, with their hands folded in praying position will be associated with a religious bent of mind.
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Marble Like Praying Hand
A praying angel looks amazing but what is more amazing is the creativity and the talent of the tattoo artist who is working on your design. This tattoo artist has given a marble touch to the ordinary praying angel. It looks immensely exquisite, don’t you agree?
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Inside a Cross
You have seen the praying hands holding the cross, but have you imagined that the same design can be reversed too? Here, the hands are inside the cross rather than being vice-versa. It is very simple but extremely lovely to look at.
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Praying Hands With Wings
One more common association with Christianity is the angel’s wings. A praying hand can be enhanced in looks when a set of wings are added to it. You can add some colors to the wings to make the design pop out.
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Folded hands Inside a Lotus
This tattoo design is quite different from the others. It is not necessarily connected to the Christian or Catholic faith. Rather, this design is mainly seen or its aesthetic beauty. of course, there is no doubt that it can also serve as a reminder for the Lord’s strength.
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Zombie Praying Hands
This tattoo is a great choice for the zombie devotees out there. The praying hands are gloriously green. The looks of the hands are enhanced (or probably deteriorated?) by giving it decayed effects with open wounds and bones bared. This spooky picture is in close opposition to the divine representation of the praying hands. It is an excellent way to make a creative impression and that too the one that leaves you guessing.
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Folded Praying hands
This is another distinctive looking tattoo design which is not most often seen on people’s bodies. The hands sure are folded in praying position, but they are not straight and the fingers have intertwined with each other. This tattoo also represents a rosary which is symbolic of the catholic faith. Besides, the shading effect and the color combination makes the tattoo look quite different than the ordinary and common ones out there.
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Jesus Folding Hands
What can be more direct than showing Jesus Christ with his hands in a prayer position right before the crucification. He is looking up to the sky right where the lord resides. Here, Christ is wearing a crown of thorns that shows the affinity for the Christian faith. This stunning theme of black and white ink memorializes Good Friday and is a covenant to the Christian doctrine.
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Colorful Praying Hands
There are many components in this tattoo including beautiful red roses, rosary beads and praying hands to depict the deep faith embedded in the Lord. The hands are surrounded by a beautiful halo which gives the whole design a divine outlook. The hands are very realistic looking and the image shows the perfect placement option, that is, the biceps.
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Scripture Tattoo
This gorgeous tattoo presents a set of praying hands superimposed on some religious scripture. The 3D effect of this design presents the tattoo to look like it is embedded deep inside one’s skin enduring a spiritual message once the skin is ripped and shredded. The black and white color tone is used perfectly to show the profundity and dimensions in the tattoo image. The whole design is encompassed inside a halo which gives it a divine feeling.
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Vibrant Praying Hands Tattoo
Here is a picturesque tattoo that shows praying hands to make it seem more beautiful and stylish. A praying hand tattoo depicted with several contrasting colors may give it a lifelike impression. Those people who wish to try a vivid and significant tattoo, then they need to go with something like this.
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Skeleton Praying Hands
The skeleton praying hands is something that we have not really come across until now on this list. One of the reasons behind it is that it is quite a unique one. However, it does not mean that it is devoid of any significant meaning. Similar to other tattoo patterns on this list, this also signifies features like belief, blessings, prayer, loyalty, fortitude, and fearlessness. You can also supplement this tattoo with some kind of quote or biblical references to enhance the look.
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Angel Praying Tattoo
This pattern will be another perfect design for both female and male tattoo admirers. The blend of praying hands with archangel wings along with a beautiful halo will follow to become a lovely art form like this. You can try and get to view these tattoos made with various other sequences of colors which will make the tattoo look even more artistic. This tattoo along with the angel will signify hope and assurance in omniscient God.
Although the above-shown tattoos are the most famous ones, each tattoo artist is different in his own way, and so they have varying methods. Due to this reason, a praying hand tattoo with doves or crosses made by one artist might seem very distinctive from that of another artist. The different tattoo artists also use various colors, techniques, and equipment that are different from each other to create their tattoos. So it will be necessary to discover an artist who can offer you the exact tattoo pattern that you desire.
