Small, fine line tattoos have gained popularity in the last few years, and one tattoo placement that is the perfect spot for a mini tattoo is the wrist.
The wrist is a great placement for a minimalist tattoo because it’s an easy spot to cover up with some tattoo makeup when necessary (Harper’s Bazaar has a list of the best makeup to cover tattoos), and the inside of the wrist can be a very intimate placement for ink. It’s a spot you can look down upon anytime and be reminded about the inspiration for your ink.
Whether you’re looking for a mini tattoo design that reminds you of something deeply meaningful in your life, or a small inked nudge for you to smile and enjoy life, there are a range of tiny tattoo ideas to be inspired by.
Butterfly Wrist Tattoo
Butterflies aren’t born with their colorful wings – they have to go through a transformation to become the winged creatures many look to with joy. Because of this, a butterfly tattoo can represent metamorphosis and change in life.
As Tatt Mag explains, a butterfly can also be a symbol of a loved one that has passed away,
“In Aztec culture, the butterfly symbolized the souls of past warriors…”
“…In other words, for the Aztecs, the butterfly’s meaning was a remembrance of those who have passed and their eternal souls.”
These tiny creatures can grace a wrist effortlessly in the form of a tattoo; also, a butterfly can be a good opportunity to go colorful with your ink because of their vibrant wings.
Read more about butterfly tattoos here.
Star Sign Wrist Tattoo
If you resonate with your sun or moon zodiac sign, this could be a meaningful tattoo choice for you. Every star sign has a specific symbol or glyph associated with it, from Sagittarius’ arrow with a short line through to Aquarius’ waves. These signs are made up of simple lines, so would be perfect for a mini symbol tattoo.
If you’re not a fan of your star sign’s glyph, you could go for the constellation that your star sign represents, or even the flower of your zodiac.
Read more about astrology tattoos here.
Single Word Wrist Tattoo
Words are powerful. Even just a single word can invoke feelings in you. This is one of the reasons why many people opt for a word when it comes to wrist tattoos.
Empowerment words like “Rise” and “Strength” are popular, as well as subtle reminders to enjoy life and take things easy, such as “Live” and “Breathe”.
If there is a word that has particular personal meaning for you, a simple inking on your wrist can make sure you’re permanently reminded of your values and how you want to approach each day.
Read more about word tattoos here.
Floral Wrist Tattoo
There is no shortage of inspiration when it comes to flower tattoos. Some popular floral tattoo choices include lotuses, roses, and cherry blossoms.
The lotus has a deeply spiritual meaning,
“In Buddhist art, a fully blooming lotus flower signifies enlightenment, while a closed bud represents a time before enlightenment. Sometimes a flower is partly open, with its center hidden, indicating that enlightenment is beyond ordinary sight,”
Learn Religions
Red roses are often associated with love and passion, but the different color roses mean different things. For example, a yellow rose can mean friendship, while a pink rose can represent femininity and joy.
A cherry blossom wrist tattoo is another floral tattoo design that is a great opportunity for color. The soft pink shades can make this design come to life. A cherry blossom tattoo can depict just one blossom, or you can incorporate a branch with many blossoms – the choice is yours.
Read more about flower tattoos here.
Moon Wrist Tattoo
The moon goes through different phases, and every one of them makes for an amazing, simple wrist tattoo. From a crescent moon outline, to a more shaded full moon with gathering clouds, you can’t go wrong.
Femininity and by extension the triple goddess in pagan theology is often associated with the moon.The triple goddess (maidan, mother, and crone) is represented by the waxing, full, and waning moons.
“The three-fold form of the Goddess could be said to reflect the complexities of the human psyche, as well as the cycles of life and death experienced by all who dwell on Earth,”
Wicca Living
Read more about moon tattoos here.
Wings Wrist Tattoo
Wings don’t have to be big, bold and placed on your back. A simple inking on your wrist can still have an impact.
There is a lot of symbolism behind wing tattoos, depending on the story you resonate with.
Wings can have a religious connotation to them because of their association with angels.
In ancient Greek mythology, one god that had wings was Hermes, the messenger of Mount Olympus, who could go between the realms of the living and the dead with his winged sandals. As he was responsible for travel, a tattoo of Hermes’ wings can represent wanderlust and freedom.
Read more about wing tattoos here.
Semicolon Wrist Tattoo
The semicolon isn’t just a punctuation mark – it has progressed to be a powerful symbol in mental health.
Project Semicolon is a
“grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for people all over the world faced with mental illness”.
This punctuation mark means that your story isn’t over; there is still so much more to be written.
“Originally created as a day where people were encouraged to draw a semicolon on their bodies and photograph it, it quickly grew into something greater and more permanent. Today, people all over the world are tattooing the mark as a reminder of their struggle, victory, and survival,”
Upworthy
The wrist is a perfect place for a semicolon tattoo. You can see it constantly as a reminder to keep going.
If you want a tiny gesture of something important, a wrist tattoo is a beautiful, permanent way to make this a reality. Dive into the many tiny tattoo designs out there and be inspired.
Read more about tattoos that empower here.