Are you looking for tattoos with deep meaning? Many people consider getting a tattoo to represent a specific event or time that shaped them into the person that they are today. One theme that resonates with many people is growth and transformation.
As we go through life, most of us go through a journey of personal transformation, resilience, and self-discovery.
If this represents you, keep reading for tattoo ideas that mean growth: From the timelessness of the Tree of Life to the delicate lotus flower, these tattoos symbolize the capacity of humans to evolve, overcome challenges, and embrace the beauty that emerges from going through struggles.
Tree Of Life Tattoo
The Tree of Life symbol has deep meaning rooted in various cultures and folklore around the world. It transcends boundaries and appears in diverse mythologies, spanning from the Tree of Knowledge in Abrahamic religions, including Christianity and Judaism, to the Yggdrasill in Norse mythology.
Each culture ascribes its own unique interpretations to this symbol, yet a common thread that weaves through our collective consciousness is growth and a connection to the divine. The Tree of Life embodies the timeless cycle of birth and death, flourishing, and renewal, mirroring the cycles of nature itself.
The roots of the tree delve deep into the earth, drawing sustenance and stability, while its branches reach skyward, connecting the physical world with the heavens. Just as the tree grows and evolves, so too do each of us as we grow and progress through life and its challenges.
“It symbolizes personal growth, development, strength, as well as inner and outer beauty,”
Saved Tattoo
Lotus Flower Tattoo
The lotus flower has to go through mud and water to finally be able to bloom. As such, this flower represents overcoming obstacles to improve your life. The lotus is also a powerful symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism as it represents spiritual enlightenment.
“Regardless of its dirty environment and the muddy water it’s rooted in, the lotus rises above it all to bloom in beauty, facing the sun. This is symbolic of overcoming the material world and emerging from the muddy waters of suffering to reach spiritual enlightenment and wisdom,”
Symbol Sage
Colors can further enhance the meaning of a lotus tattoo. A purple lotus can represent wealth and creativity, a pink lotus refers to the flower’s link to Buddhism, a red lotus can symbolize love, and a white lotus is linked to purity.
Butterfly Tattoo
These tiny insects are a popular tattoo subject because of their beauty and their deep meaning.
Butterflies go through a complete metamorphosis: From just an egg to becoming a larva, then comes the pupa before it can finally spread its wings. Each stage looks completely different and serves a unique purpose in the life of the butterfly.
As such, the butterfly is a perfect symbol for growth. Life may hit us with difficult stages, but they are often necessary on the path to growth.
“Butterflies go through a metamorphosis during their lifetime, as do some people in a metaphorical way. Butterfly tattoos symbolize a great change and development in someone’s life. Typically, this should be something that has touched you to the extent that it needs a tattoo to remind you,”
Tatt Mag
Phoenix Tattoo
This fiery bird makes appearances in ancient Greek, Egyptian, and Chinese cultures. While the folklore around the phoenix differs, the common thread is fire and rebirth. In mythology, the phoenix bursts into flames and then rises up from the ashes, new and improved.
“The symbol of a phoenix is easily recognizable and suggests birth, death, and rebirth, as well as the cyclical nature of life and its renewal. Many people turn to phoenixes for tattoos because they serve as a marker of turning over a new leaf in life,”
Sorry Mom Shop
This is the perfect opportunity to go colorful with your tattoo and opt for red, orange, and yellow inks for the plumage. However, it is important to know what you are getting into when it comes to red tattoo ink.
Not all tattoo ink is the same – red ink can be riskier than black.
“In the tattoo world, a reaction to red ink is the most common, with many experiencing some redness and swelling. For some, however, red ink can spark allergy reactions, turning their tattoo experience into a nightmare. Some dermatologists also warn that if you have the gene for psoriasis, red ink might trigger the condition or cause a flare,”
1 Aesthetics
To make sure that red ink would be a good idea for your tattoo, do a patch test. Ask your tattoo artist to apply a small amount of red tattoo ink on your skin and wait 24 hours. If your skin flares up, red ink is not the right choice for you.
Mandala Tattoo
A mandala is a geometric and symmetrical design that holds deep spiritual and symbolic significance in both Hinduism and Buddhism. The word “mandala” is derived from the ancient Indian language, Sanskrit, and means “circle”.
“The mandala is basically a representation of the universe, a consecrated area that serves as a receptacle for the gods and as a collection point of universal forces,”
Britannica
This beautiful geometric design is perfect for those who love symmetry and sacred geometry.
As a tattoo, a mandala can symbolize your soul and the journey toward self-discovery and enlightenment.
When it comes to mandala tattoo designs, there are many options to take inspiration from. A mandala can make the perfect tiny tattoo for minimalists; can be incorporated into other designs such as depictions of the sun, moon, or flowers; or designed into an intricate sleeve tattoo.
Arrow Tattoo
An arrow can be turned into a beautiful tattoo with deep meaning. When using a bow and arrow, you have got to have your eye on a target and take your aim. With this in mind, an arrow tattoo can represent going after your goals.
Other meanings of this tattoo choice include moving forward and triumphing over struggles,
“Arrow tattoos naturally represent the ideas of struggle and triumph thanks to its use as a tool and weapon. A design that features an arrow being pulled back on a bow represents tension, conflict, or life struggle. On the other hand, an arrow resting on a bow may instead represent the achievement of peace and calm,”
Byrdie
Being able to overcome struggles is one of the key markers of growth, making an arrow tattoo a fantastic option for a meaningful tattoo.
Dragonfly Tattoo
Just like the butterfly, a dragonfly goes through a metamorphosis. A dragonfly is not just born with wings – it goes through a process. It is first an egg, then develops into larva before going through the molt stage; only after these phases does the actual dragonfly emerge with wings and eye-catching colors.
Because of this process, a dragonfly tattoo represents growth and transformation.
Not only that, but, as Authority Tattoo points out, a dragonfly tattoo can also mean adaptability,
“Dragonflies are often associated with strength and adaptability. They’re one of a small number of animals, including hummingbirds, that can fly backward. This flexibility, with its movements in the air, has earned the dragonfly a well-deserved reputation for being a very adaptable creature.”
Snake Tattoo
Snakes have a bad rap. Because of the appearance of this animal in the Old Testament, they have been associated with evil. However, their meaning runs way deeper than this.
Besides symbolizing fertility, knowledge, and strength, a snake tattoo can also represent rebirth. Snakes need to shed their skin to accommodate their growing bodies.
“The ability of a snake to shed its own skin means that it can be interpreted as a symbol of rebirth, change, transformation, or healing,”
Chronic Ink Tattoo
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How To Prepare For Your New Tattoo
Once you have got an idea of what you want your growth tattoo to look like, it is time to look for a tattoo artist. It is essential that you choose someone who is experienced in the type of tattoo style you want.
Getting tattooed by a professional tattooist reduces your risk of tattoo blowout and infection, plus they’re well versed in tattoo techniques. Take your time researching tattoo artists, going through their portfolios, and asking friends with tattoos you like for their recommendations.
Besides choosing a reputable tattoo artist, here are five more ways to prepare for your tattoo:
- Decide on a placement and consider factors such as visibility, size, and how the tattoo will interact with existing or future tattoos – your tattoo artist will be able to help you with this decision.
- Drink water and use lotion on your skin leading up to your appointment, as hydrated skin is a better canvas.
- Avoid sun exposure, as your skin needs to be completely healed to be tattooed.
- Eat a high calorie meal to stabilize your blood sugar and give your body the fuel it needs to handle the pain of the tattoo needle.
- Have a good night of rest before your appointment as being well-rested will help you stay relaxed and reduce discomfort during the tattooing process.
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How To Look After Your New Tattoo
Once your tattoo is done, it is up to you to make sure it heals properly. Depending on the size and intricacy of your tattoo design, it can take two weeks to a full month for your tattoo to heal.
It is important to support your body’s healing process by:
- Washing your tattoo with a gentle soap about three times a day.
- Moisturizing your tattoo to prevent scabbing and peeling.
- Never picking at your tattoo – this leaves your skin open to infection and can distort your design.
- Staying out of bodies of water, including baths, hot tubs, pools, the ocean, and rivers.
Your tattoo artist will give you a list of aftercare steps to take.
However, looking after your tattoo does not stop after it has healed. To keep fading at bay and to keep your tattoo looking crisp, it is important to apply SPF on your tattoo to protect your ink from the fading effects of the sun’s rays.
Long-term tattoo aftercare also includes keeping your skin clean and hydrated.
Getting a tattoo is a big decision – after all, it is going to be with you permanently. One of the best ways to ensure that you will love your tattoo design for years to come is to opt for one that has personal significance to you.
Your progression and growth as a human, and your ability to overcome challenges, are deeply meaningful and absolutely worth commemorating in ink.