All you have to do is Google embarrassing tattoos, and you’ll have millions of results to sift through. You don’t want to be one of those, but when done correctly, tattoos can be a special part of your life.
Here are 75 people who got it right, all the way down to their toes.
#1 A hidden friend
This is one of those tattoos that’s more for you than it is for anyone else. When you’re sitting at home alone with your legs up in front of the television or just reading a book, you almost feel like you’re not alone. That smile and wink just make you smile.
#2 It’s a bee
If you haven’t noticed, this is the same foot from earlier. We’re not sure what the bee is about, but there’s no denying how adorable it is. It’s perfect.
#3 It’s a paw
It’s a tiny little dog paw. It could have a meaning that’s not entirely obvious to everyone. Maybe it’s about a childhood pet that passed away, or she just really likes dogs. The point here is that it looks good.
#4 Nobody can stop the music
Sometimes, you just have to show your spirit on the outside. This tattoo does that perfectly
# 5 It’s a dead turtle
Now, this feels like one of those tattoos that’s meant to be a conversation starter. Why is the turtle dead? Everyone wants to know why it’s dead.
#6 The king
It’s a regal frog artistically just sitting there being…regal. It’s simple and something you wouldn’t mind other people seeing either.
#7 Mayan God?
This may be in reference to one of the Mayan gods who took part in the creation of humans according to mythology. However, it’s more likely to honor of someone who shares the same name.
#8 Geography
?Here’s a great alternative to a classic American flag tattoo. Whoever did this did a great job of capturing all the little curves you see on the map of America.
#9 More paws
Unlike the previous paw, this one doesn’t have any initials. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t personal. There has to be a story here.
#10 Lady luck
The horseshoe symbolizes luck, wealth, and success. We all need a bit of that. However, the name makes it feel like a memento for a horse. Maybe it is.
#11 You almost can’t see it
It’s really small but large enough to be interesting. You can’t help but be curious after seeing that. What does the umbrella mean? Protection? Good luck?
#12 Who is that?
Is this a random tattoo of a fish because she likes fish? Is this a tattoo to remind her of a fish she once owned when she was younger?
#13 It’s not a foot
Yes, this is not a foot, but it’s worth mentioning. The coin really shows how small that margarita tattoo is.
#14 Artistic
What better way to show off a tattoo of waves than with your foot in clear ocean water? This tattoo is a great souvenir for people who grew up near the ocean but moved when they got older.
#15 Dumbo
I don’t think we can really overthink this one. It’s a baby elephant holding onto a balloon. It looks great, but I don’t think there’s any underlying meaning here. Maybe they really liked Dumbo?
#16 Ouch
I mean, it’s a fun tattoo if you don’t wince. It’s meant to look like a nail is going through her flesh.
#17 Foot
All that reads “foot.” Yes, this tattoo is almost like a label for her foot. It’s more like getting tattoos of normal words but in Japanese or Chinese script. It’s a type of writing style we aren’t familiar with, so it’s cool.
#18 Picture perfect
The details and the tattoo itself are beautiful and flawless. There’s nothing wrong here.
#19 A boat
It’s another tattoo paying homage to the sea…or sea life. It’s a great little reminder when you can’t be at the beach.
#20 Paper planes
We’ve all made these at least once in our lives. It probably didn’t mean much as kids, but it could represent a desire to travel.
#21 Maybelle
This is how it should be done. Tattoos should be subtle and personal. There is room for more grand artistic pieces on larger parts of the body, but these smaller ones carry a lot of weight too.
#22 Grabbing stars
It’s great to look at the stars in the dead of night, but it’s even better to have your own little special constellation with you, just in case it isn’t dark enough.
#23 Details matter more than you think
There’s not much here, it’s just an owl. However, all the detail that went into this little owl brings it to life. That’s a tattoo you can be proud of.
#24 Home
They left their heart in Paris. This is their way of bringing home with them wherever they are.
#25 Loud and clear
What better way to tell the world who you are and what you are about than to get a tattoo (or two)? It’s a simple plane and globe tattoo that makes it clear where her heart is.
#26 Unbreakable bonds
The infinity tattoo doesn’t need any introduction these days. People get it for different reasons. For many, it’s their way of reminding each other that they care for each other regardless of where they are.
#27 Cryptic
It’s cute and simple. It clearly has a meaning to its owner; we just haven’t figured it out yet. I thought the numbers were the distance to some planet from Earth, but it almost looks like a date written backward. That’s the whole point behind personal tattoos; they’re meant for you, not everyone else.
#28 We all love cats
Quiet intelligence, mystery, grace, and luck are just some of the many things this tattoo could embody. However, it could simply be an appreciation for a pet or the general love of cats.
#29 Adorable
I’ve really emphasized the need for details to make a really great tattoo, but this is an exception. All they used were simple shapes that anyone could draw on their own, and it turned out great.
#30 Amazing tree
There are lots of things around us that we take for granted. Sometimes it’s important to realize how important those things are, including the trees.
#31 Finding your way
It’s not too complex, and it isn’t that simple either. It could be about travel or it could be about the struggle of finding one’s way in life. Either way, it’s a great tattoo.
#32 Ruby
Have you seen a ruby in real life? Diamonds may generally be more expensive than rubies, but you have to admit that there is something hypnotic about their beauty. You could just sit there and look at one all day.
#33 More stars
It’s the same idea as the previous one with stars, but this one has color and a bit more detail to it. You can’t hate that, can you? It’s very pretty.
#34 Ankle bracelet
Who doesn’t like a good ankle bracelet tattoo? It can be confusing depending on what angle you view this from, but once you see the butterfly, it just makes so much sense. It just looks good.
#35 Stretching cat
The inspiration for this has to be a real-life cat strolling somewhere in her home. Obviously, people who prefer dogs to cats can’t really appreciate this one fully, but it’s a beautiful tattoo.
#36 Tin can telephones
Did you make these when you were younger? These two people probably made them as kids and got matching tattoos to remember their friendship..
#37 A heartbeat
The electrocardiogram tattoo is a simple tattoo that looks good on anyone. This is a nice twist to it, throwing in the word “alive” to replace a part of the waveform. Its small size makes it look even better.
#38 Lovely horns
Isn’t it amazing how such a beautiful and gentle creature can also be dangerous at the same time? Those horns can do some serious damage. The tattoo does it justice.
#39 Wink
This is just a simple tattoo that looks good. Sometimes that’s perfect on its own.
#40 Fruit
How do we approach this one? It’s a juicy pineapple. A very small one. Is it cute? Yes. Is it tropical? Yes. What else could it possibly need?
#41 More stars
You know a tattoo is really good when more people have it. Who doesn’t want their own set of stars?
#42 Elegant feather
That’s the thing about tattoos, the most obscure things look amazing in ink. It gives us a new appreciation for simple things.
#43 Long necks
When we think about tattoos, we think about large and obvious ones. This small, subtle one almost feels like a secret, and no one was meant to see it. It is gorgeous.
#44 Mermaid?
These are scales. It’s almost like a mermaid hasn’t yet finished her transformation and is about to become human. The color was important for this one. Amazing.
#45 Mountains
Growing up near something as majestic as mountains or hills is so different from growing up in a less hilly setting. How could you not want to have something to remind you about that?
#46 Matching tattoos
What better way to let the world know how important someone is to you than to get matching tattoos? The color was a nice touch.
#47 Can you tell which is which?
I think seashell tattoos serve the same purpose as boats and waves. I like the contrast between the real shell and the small tattoo.
#48 What is that?
My guess is a bicycle. The one on the furthest right is a handlebar, and the one on the left is a seat. It’s simple, cute, and a great way to start a conversation.
#49 Moons
A nice substitute for stars can be found in the different shapes of the moon. It’s lunar and perfect.
#50 A way of life
Another way to give meaning to tattoos is to get one of a phrase that means a lot to you. “Just be,” is a great life motto to follow.
#51 The world
We’ve seen planes, we’ve seen a globe, we’ve seen a compass, and now we have a map of the world. It’s another way to let people know you love to travel and seeing new places.
#52 Love of the sea
She’s on a boat in the water with an anchor tattoo. I think that says it all. This is what tattoos should be about.
#53 Perfect
Unlike previous tattoos about animals and pets, this one doesn’t feel like it’s paying homage to any particular animal. It’s just fun and goofy.
#54 Another one
Here’s another goofy one. The choice of a cat isn’t random, they probably like cats and own one, but it’s less about a particular pet and more of a fun tattoo.
#55 It’s not just a flower
This is what her favorite flower is. With simple tattoos, it’s less about the detail of them and more what they represent to people. Sure, flowers are beautiful, but there’s more.
#56 Growth
There’s more to trees than leaves and twigs. It takes decades for trees to grow fully, and even then, there are so many things that could go wrong. It is hard not to look at this and think about growth, strength, and perseverance. The details on the roots really make this amazing.
#57 An ant
It’s just an ant. There’s nothing special about it. But when you look at the shading and fine details that have gone into this tattoo, you can’t help but respect the artist behind it. This is really good.
#58 Appreciation for sharp edges
It’s a dog, but the shapes used to make this are what’s special here. The sharp edges on the love hearts were a nice touch too.
#59 Cactus
What better represents endurance and perseverance than the cactus plant? It grows in some of the harshest conditions in this world and still survives.
#60 Another tin can telephone
It’s amazing how something as simple as a string and two cans excited us as kids. Phones are cheaper and more readily available these days, so there’s a chance that many kids won’t get to experience this. These matching tattoos are a nice memento for childhood and friendship.
#61 Flight
The changing shades of color as the bird flies higher and higher are beautiful. You can’t look at this and not think about the freedom that birds enjoy. Don’t we all wish we could fly?
#62 Infinity arrow
The arrow being woven into the infinity symbol is a rather creative approach to this. It’s about having direction.
#63 A dove
We’ve seen this image before as a symbol of peace, a white dove is carrying a leave or twig in its mouth. The subtle shade of blue on the edges of its wings and tail make this one even more beautiful.
#64 Regal fox
Looking back at children’s stories, foxes were always painted as the bad guys. They always had this sly look about them. There’s something about this tattoo that doesn’t capture that at all. This fox looks more intelligent and regal than the sly devious fox we all grew up with.
#65 A different kind of owl
Ask anyone what owls stand for, and their response will be along the lines of wisdom and intelligence. This tattoo doesn’t embody that. It looks more fragile and naive as if it just hatched. It’s adorable.
#66 Peter Pan
How amazing would it be if we could fly and never had to grow up? What better way to express our playful inner child than to get a tattoo of Peter Pan and his crew?
#67 Appreciation for beauty
For some people, an aquarium is just another piece of art in their living space. For others, fish in aquariums and ponds mean so much more, watching them go about their day has a calming effect. It’s almost meditative. It’s interesting that they chose to color around the fish rather than in it.
#68 Pine trees
When people pick trees for tattoos, they tend to pick trees with numerous branches and broader bases. It’s a nice surprise to find someone who appreciates how beautiful the tall and slender pine tree is.
#69 More variety
As mentioned before, there are different kinds of trees out there. If you’re looking to get a tattoo of one, look into all the types of trees that there are.
#70 Taijitu
Thanks to movies and the internet, we’ve all run into this symbol before. But how many people really understand what it’s about? Everything in the world has its opposite or inverse. It’s simple, but it means a lot.
#71 Improvement
The actual tattoo even looks better than the sketched drawing. That’s what you need when picking a tattoo artist. You don’t want those that promise the moon and the stars but can do a lot less.
#72 Jumbo
It almost looks like random scribbles, but when you look closer, it turns out to be an elephant. You can see the trunks, the tusks, head, ears, and legs.
#73 Lazy panda
Pandas are amazing. Just look up live cams of pandas going about their day and eating bamboo, and you’ll get it. It’s so satisfying to see a tattoo that really captures the essence of what pandas are.
#74 A snowflake
Snowflakes are beautiful on their own. No one needs to explain that. Did you also notice that it’s a compass too? This is something to be proud of.
#75 Maple leaves
For starters, it the national symbol of Canada. But as far as leaves go, there’s something special about it. It’s not just any leaf.
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