Tattoos symbolize permanence, self expression, creativity, and transformation. As a result, when we dream of tattoos,
- We may be ready to make a greater commitment, with respect to a relationship, job, belief, or something else that is both personal and significant.
- We may need to express ourselves to others, show our skills, and share the fruits of our talent.
- We may yearn to explore our creative side, want to stand out, break from the pack, and step out beyond the bonds of cultural and societal norms.
- We may be looking for change and transformation, either in ourselves, in a relationship, or in some other important aspect of our life.
In the past, tattoos also served as marks to indicate a particular status or rank, membership to a particular group or religion, and an acknowledgement of certain skills or achievements. Today, this is similar to the function of badges, printed emblems on clothing, and printed cards. Tattoos were also used as talismans to protect us from harm.
In addition to the general symbolism of tattoos, the meaning of our dream will also be dependent on –
- The details of the tattoo including color, whether it is text or image, as well as subject matter.
- The location of the tattoo(s) on the body.
- Whether the tattoo appears on us or somebody else.
- Our interaction (if any) with the tattoo.
Visual Details of Our Dream Tattoos
One of the most popular subject matter of tattoos are pledges of love. For example, our dream tattoo may be the name of our spouse or partner. It could also be the name of our child, sibling, or friend. Other common love symbols include the apple, a rose, heart, dove, or cupid.
Love tattoos indicate that we are ready to commit ourselves to the person. There may also be a lack of communication in our relationship, which makes us want to better express our love and feelings.
There are as many forms of love as there are moments in time.
~~[Edmund Bertram, Mansfield Park]
Another popular group of tattoo symbols are of animals (real or fantasy). Many tattoo animals including the dragon, tiger, or lion are symbols of strength and power. Others may signify intellect (fox, owl, eagle), luck (rabbit, goose), or spirituality (unicorn, phoenix). Animal tattoos show a need to share or express our power, wisdom, good fortune, or faith, to others.
Finally, tribal tattoos also appear in many circumstances. Tribal tattoos were originally worn –
- As a form of camouflage,
- To indicate membership of a particular tribe, or
- To indicate rank or achievement.
When we dream of tribal tattoos, it may signal a hidden message, a need to belong, or a wish for greater status and success.
Finally, how our dream tattoo is rendered also contributes to its meaning.
- A colorful or visual dream tattoo indicates creativity, joy, and passion.
- A black or textual dream tattoo suggests simplicity, logical expression, as well as a more serious or focused purpose.
Body Location of Our Dream Tattoos
If our dream tattoo is on a part of the body that is often hidden by clothes, then we may have a secret that we are too shy or fearful to confess. For example, hiding a rose or heart tattoo in our dream, may signify that we have a secret relationship that we want to share, but are unable to.
The exact location of our dream tattoo also carries meaning-
- Hands and armsWe use our hands and arms to greet others, to protect, as well as to create great works of art, grow food, invent, and more.Dream tattoos that are situated on our hands and arms are very powerful, because they relate to friendship, protection, and creation. For example, if we have a tattoo of our boyfriend’s name on our arm, it may mean that we want to protect him and keep him safe.
- Legs and feet
Our legs and feet carry us to new worlds, allow us to explore, as well as search for that which was lost. As such, leg dream tattoos are associated with travelling, journeys, and transformation. It may represent a physical journey or a spiritual journey.For example, a dream rose tattoo on our leg may imply that we need to embark on a journey to find new love or recapture a love which was lost. It may be a physical journey, a transformation of our physical self (change of appearance), or a transformation of our spiritual self (change in thinking and belief).
- Head
Our head is where we think great thoughts, develop creative ideas, and refine our beliefs. As such, a head tattoo relates more to the emotional or spiritual, rather than to the physical and mundane. - Body
The trunk of our body is where material utilization and absorption occurs. Our lungs process air, our stomach processes food, and our heart pumps these nutrients to the other parts of our body.A body tattoo implies a material or physical relation. For example, a lion tattoo on our body may indicate physical strength and power, whereas if it is on our face or head, then it may indicate spiritual strength instead. A heart dream tattoo on the body may indicate lust, but one on the head may symbolize spiritual love or devotion.
- Neck
Our next connects our head (spiritual plane) to our body (material plane), thus it is often associated with risk, balance and equilibrium. It also contains our voice box, so it is also a symbol of communication.A neck dream tattoo may signal something that needs to be communicated with all haste, a risk that we need to take, or that there is a lack of equilibrium in certain aspects of our life.
Having many tattoos on our body implies a great need for self expression. In particular, we may have many repressed thoughts and emotions that have accumulated over a long period of time. We may also have trouble communicating our thoughts, and may need some help in this area.
If we dream of having a different tattoo design in the same location as a real-life tattoo, then we may be feeling like we are living a lie, or pretending to be somebody we are not.
Person Wearing Our Dream Tattoos
We should also pay close attention to who is wearing the tattoos.
If the tattoos are on our own body, then we are the ones who need to better express ourselves, to transform, be creative, or step outside our comfort zone.
If the tattoos are on somebody else, then –
- We may be missing or overlooking something in our relationship with that person. It can also mean that the person is trying to get our attention, or is feeling neglected.
- We may yearn to have what the other person has.
- We may need to help somebody else express their feelings, offer a shoulder to cry on, or offer support in a stressful time of change.
If in our dream, we are a tattooist, then we may be looking to have a greater impact on the lives of others. Perhaps we currently feel disconnected, and want to leave something of ourselves behind, in the people around us.
Being a dream tattooist could also express a need to experience something new, that is outside the bounds of societal norms.
If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.
~~[Henry David Thoreau]
Our Interaction with the Dream Tattoos
Finally, we want to consider how we interact with the tattoos in our dream.
- If we are trying to remove the tattoo, then we may be having difficulties ending a bad relationship.
- If we are praising the tattoo or otherwise interacting with it in a positive way, then it may capture an attribute that we want to cultivate in ourselves.
- If we are drawing over the tattoo or trying to change it through other means, then we may be discontented with our current circumstances, and be seeking transformation.
- If we are trying to convince others to get our tattoo, then we may want to teach, share our wisdom, and perhaps guide the people around us.
Lives of great men all remind us,
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us,
Footprints on the sands of time.
~~[Henry Wadsworth Longfellow]
My dream is where I am at a party with a guy I have dated in the recent past. I am speaking to someone and he is down by my feet doing something. Suddenly he pops up and brushes his hands clean and says “done!” in a happy tone. I look down and see he had tattooed the words “CALL and his phone number” in huge big black block letters. It was down the right side of my left leg starting from my ankle and going up covering all the way up the side of my leg. The dream was in color…and we went somewhere together after that in the dream…thoughts? I dont have a tat in that area…
I had a dream I got a full left sleeve tattoo of Homer Simpson… I don’t even like the Simpsons! Lol my boyfriend thinks I’m going nuts. Lol
Can anyone interpret this dream for me please? Lol
I was in my dream last night and saw my left arm being tattooed the word DIAMOND please can anyone help me with the interpretation
I had this same dream but, it was the word vengence
I just woke from a dream my bf was tattooing my legs one all black one bright pink I woke up and had to look at my legs it seemed so real, in real life my legs rtattooed…im my dream he colored over them.
I dream being kiss by boyfriend
What does this dream mean I had colorful tattoos on my neck and on my chest I did not get to see the designs of them I seen red and black
I had a dream that I was in the car with my mom and we passed by this older looking couple and they were holding hands. The lady had a large tattoo covering her entire leg it was black
i dreamed of a guy i know but usually we dont have a conversation not even see each other that much in reality, had a red tatoo on his left hand and he showed me, the tatoo wasnt clearly but red in colour. i saw this guy before i dreamed about him, can it be because i though about him too much before i slept as i feel i have a crush on him?
I’ve never dreamed about tattoos before, though someday I plan to get a few.
and last night I dreamed that I got 2 big ones that were the length of my inner forearms. my left arm, had on it a flower that had a Tulip body with 2 extra stem leaves opened at the bottom, and one following the stem up to the bud, which was a cross of tulip and rosebud. The whole flower&stem was colored in red ink with a pink aura and had a similarly painted halo above the bud.
My right arm had the same shaped flower but it was colored naturally, green leaves, red bud, and instead of a halo, it was a circle of 7 different colored sparkles that created the rainbow spectrum.
During the dream after they were finished, I was talking with a friend, and was going to show her, and they were gone. And I was sad saying “I guess my skin doesn’t keep tattoos. The ink doesn’t stay.” and I thought to myself during the dream, “well maybe its for the best, Id have to cover them during my job anyway.” But then slowly as the other mundane wandering/chatting of the dream progressed, the flowers started reappearing on my arms, and I was happy they did. Even though I knew it meant Id have to cover them for my work rules, I was glad it stayed on my skin. and as my friend was examining my arm while the flowers were fading back INTO existence she said, “Oh, they must have given you a special kind of ink. it dissapears and reappears but its still there. You’re good~”
And then the rest of my random dreams continued as normal, but the tattoo segment was very emotional to me during the dream, and stuck with me after. I’d appreciate any extra insight to it’s meaning(s).
Last week I had a dream about a man who I was in a physical love affair with but no commitment. In the dream he tattooed the word exclusive on the length of my thigh. The real reason why it baffled me is because we had a falling out in December and havent spoken since.
Last night I gad a dream. Actually I don’t have a single tattoo on my body and I am also not much excited to get a tattoo. But what I saw last night in my dream.. Has leaved me with tons of thoughts and mind whirlpools..
There was this huge tattoo of an eagle covering my chest, shoulders to biceps , stomach till lower abdomen. It was not coloured but infact it was outlined with dark black colour.. Like a black thick marker or anything.. I am still wondering what does this mean?
I dreamt lastnight that I was getting a tribal tattoo but I couldn’t decide where to get it done whether or not to have it somewhere where everyone could see or to have it hidden on my hip. What could this mean?
In my dream I had various tattoos all over above my elbows, the top of chest I had thug life i believe.. somewhere around that area. On my body I believe I had some freaky things written. I remember on one of my arms above the elbow on the left having my last name Holcomb and I believe my first name before that I jus couldn’t see it. I also had tattoos all over my thighs. ALL OVER above my knees. I went to this game place with my cousins and didn’t expect to get tatoos. In my dream I always wanted them but didn’t know what to get. I was satisfied with how many tattoos I had and all of them I jus didn’t expect to get so many. I remember in the dream my last name was spelled wrong missing the letter B at the end and she had to come fix it. I remember her coming and writing my whole last name somewhere around my chest area in some white coloring and I guess she was going to tatroo over it later. I was satisfied with all my tattoos. Somehow I believe I felt complete at that moment when she did that also. I think I had a heart as one of my tattoos. Then after getting all my tattoos I remember my family like all them sitting at a table and after getting my tattoos I had gotten closer to two of my Aunts. Very close to my Aunt Joy and my Aunt Doris and everyone didn’t understand why I was so much closer to them instead of the normal relationship we had before and like I had with everyone else sitting at the table. They weren’t jealous however. I didn’t get that vibe in the dream from the other family members. What does my dream mean?PLEASE HELP!!!
I remember having a dream last night where I had the face of an tribal eagle tattooed on the back of my hand. I remember in the dream their was someone after me because I had that symbol on my hand and the reason I know why was because their was a man protecting me from the person who was trying to get me. I really want to know the full meaning behind the tattoo in the dream.
A couple nights ago i had a dream of two tattoos on my left forearm and on my right forearm. It was strange because i felt like i was starring at them for ever. On my left arm i had two black asian symbols/ words and on my right forearm i had a red and yellow word it was ermanus or very similar to that. Iv never had dreams about tattoos before which is why i found it strange since i have no tattoos. Does this mean anythinv?
I had a dream the other night where my left forearm was tattooed from just below the elbow to my wrist. It looked like colorful design with no words That I saw or remember. My feeling was “That’s interesting. When did I do that?” It was a lucid thought..I knew I was dreaming.
I would like to know the meaning of a forearm tattoo also.
I had a dream my ex had the name tara tattooed on his forearm in the dream I remember feeling jealous
I had a dream about my ex and he had the name sierra tattooed on his chest. I got really angry and was trying to scrape it off of him… Its weird because he was my first love, but we have been split up for years, I have had a child since then and another on the way.. I’m very confused by it!?
Hi last night I dreamnt I had a dagger tattoo on the palm of my hand and outlining the dagger where four spikes similar to a shuriken (Ninja star).
Also I had a blood stripe on both my legs going all the way to my arms.
If yall can tell me what that means it would be great.
I had dream last night that i was getting a tattoo of my kids and husbands name along with something to do with family love on the lower back part of my right leg. What does it mean? I have been wondering if i am pregnant recently and wondering if this could be telling me something?
In my dream I was laying down on my bed when I look on my right hand I saw a red dragon tattoe all the way to my back. The head is on my right hand, its look like the red dragon is a live. I was curiouse coz I already have a dragon tattoe on my back so I look on the mirror my tattoe still there and this red dragon just appear out of no where and covered my whole back start from my right hand. What does it mean?
I had a dream of getting a pink heart tattoo after having a baby
what does that mean?