Elephant Tattoo Meaning: The Complete Guide
Yes, elephant tattoos are not as popular as lions, tigers or eagles but, in the last 15 years, elephant tattoos have always been there in the Top10 of animal tattoos.
And this is a huge thing, you know.
Because of this, I want to introduce you this guide about elephant tattoos with all this elements:
- All about the meaning of the elephant tattoos in Western culture.
- A lot about the meaning in other cultures.
- And, of course, tattoo designs so you can get inspired.
Let’s go for it!
Table of Contents
What About The Elephant Tattoo Meaning In The US and Europe
I want to start from scratch with this guide.
You know, there are a lot of different meanings for an elephant tattoo, but I want to show you the Top 5 ones, because they are the most inked.
Top 1. Elephant Is For Wisdom and Intelligence
Not only in the US and in Europe, but in a lot of different cultures all around the globe the elephant is a wisdom figure, you know, because people say “the elephant does not forget a thing”.
And, because of this huge memory, elephants are a symbol for wisdom and intelligence, and it’s the main reason why an elephant is inked.
Top 2. Elephant Tattoo Is For Family And Loyalty
Yes, talking about elephants is talking about loyalty and family, in fact, elephants are one of the most social animals in the world, and they have very strong familial bonds.
The point here maybe is to get inked, not just one elephant, but a lot of them, or maybe a mother and a baby elephant, because it symbolizes the family unity, protection and love.
Top 3. Elephants Are For Strength and Power
Yes, it is not the main reason to get an elephant tattoo, but some people get inked with this animal because of its strength.
You know, elephants are the largest land animal (there are only largest animals in the sea) and, because of this, they have a lot of physical strength and resilience.
Because of this, elephants are a very nice symbol about power.
Top 4. Elephant Tattoos Are For Patience and Peace
Maybe it sounds a little tricky because the Top3 is for power and strength, and this one is about peace and patience but, if you think about it, it makes all the sense.
Elephants are so big and powerful they can move calmly and peacefully, because they do not have real enemies that hunt them.
So, if you want to symbolize calm, patience and peace, maybe an elephant tattoo is a very nice choice.
Top 5. Elephant With Raised Trunk Is About Good Luck
In some cultures, an elephant with the raised trunk is a symbol for good luck, prosperity and, moreover, good fortune, specially in Hinduism and Buddhism, but it is a symbol very well known in the US and in Europe.
Just a few lines after this I’m going to tell you about Ganesha, so please, keep reading.
Ok, But, And Elephant Tattoo Meaning In Other Cultures?
Elephants are present in almost every large culture all around the globe but, one more time, I want to show you maybe the Top 5 cultures.
Top 1. Elephant Meanings in Hinduism
I cannot say if elephants are more important in Hinduism or in Buddhism, but you know, I had to choose one.
In Hinduism you have Ganesha, a human body with an elephant head deity, and it is one of the most beloved deities there.
Ganesha symbolizes removing obstacles and overcoming challenges. Moreover, Ganesha symbolizes wisdom, knowledge and prosperity.
Top 2. Elephants in Buddhism
Elephants are a thing in Buddhism too, in fact, Queen Maya (Buddha’s mother) dreamt of a white elephant before giving birth, and this is a symbol for the divine.
So, elephants in Buddhism usually represent patience, spiritual awakening and mental strength.
If the elephant is white, it is about purity.
Top 3. What About Elephants in Africa?
You know, elephants have a strong cultural background in all Asia, but in Africa too!
In fact, elephants in Africa are a symbol for leadership, wisdom and strength (as you may see, wisdom and strength are in almost every culture meaning for elephant tattoos).
The point with African symbolism for elephants is about royalty and nobility, because some authorities in Africa (kings, chiefs or whatever) do choose elephants as a power symbol.
Top 4. Elephants Meaning in Southeast Asia
In Thailand, they have the figure of a white elephant too, but usually symbolizing royalty and spiritual significance.
Moreover, in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar elephants are for power and endurance too, as well as the connection between humans and the divine.
As you can see, a lot of nice things symbolize an elephant tattoo in Southeast Asia too!
Top 5. Lastly, Elephants in Chinese Culture
For Chinese culture elephants are important too, but they symbolize other good things.
In Chinese culture, elephants are not for power or for strength, but they are a symbol for happiness, luck and stability, as well as a protective symbol.
In fact, in China, an elephant with the trunk raised is for a very good fortune.
Some Elephant Tattoo Designs For You
Let me show you some good elephant tattoo designs for you:
Realistic Elephant Tattoo
The first one I want to show you is this spectacular elephant tattoo in realistic style, just black, gray and white ink, and just perfect.
I do love this tattoo because of the strength you can feel when you see it and the perfect finish for the elephant and for the trees in the background.
This tattoo is done by Antoine Jamet, an astonishing tattoo artist working at Astrolabe Tatouage, in Dinard, France.
Fantastic Elephant Tattoo In Illustration Style
This tattoo, for me, was just love at first sight.
I do love the composition of the design, the harmony and, moreover, the 3D details in the trunk of the elephant, just wonderful.
This elephant, in something like a thai style with all the flowers in the background and the geometrical pattern in the head is just a piece of work.
The tattoo is done by Martin Devlin Kelly, a fantastic tattoo artist focused on illustration style and you can bet he has his own personal brand of tattoo. He is working in London, in the UK, of course.
Elephant Doing Yoga Elephant Tattoo
Let’s move on into something funnier, like these elephants doing yoga in cartoon style perfectly finished.
These elephants are part of a tattoo series with a lot of different yoga postures, and I think they are just beautiful with the detail of the swimming trunks, isn’t it?
This tattoo is done by Bongkee, another very nice tattoo artist with his own personal tattoo style, working in Seoul, South Korea.
Realistic Elephant With a Circle Tattoo
Yes, this is another elephant in a realistic style but, as you can see, it is completely different from the first one, isn’t it?
This one is more realistic, with more work with the shadowing, and I do like the way it’s finished with the circle.
This tattoo is done by Chang Tattoo, a tattoo studio from Thailand working with electric machine and handpoke, with a lot of different designs and, if you ask me, I especially love the way they do (hyper)realism.
Sketch Elephant Tattoo
And, talking about tattoo artists with his own tattoo style, let me introduce you to this one.
This style is based on sketch one but, as you can see, it is completely different from a sketch tattoo too.
Vez, the tattoo artist, usually combines these thick bold lines with shadowing to create something new and fantastic.
He is working at Krakow, in Poland, and I do recommend you to follow him now.
Colorful Elephant Tattoo
This tattoo is just another piece of work, and I do love it too.
This time, as you can see, there is an elephant and an eagle colorful silhouette, with a precious landscape.
I wanted to share with you this tattoo to show you how many possibilities an elephant tattoo has.
This tattoo is done by Ornot Tattoo, another wonderful tattoo artist from Korea doing some guests all around the globe, with his own personal tattoo style, and you may follow him now too!
Elephant Tattoos: Infinite Possibilities
Yes, elephant tattoos have a nice meaning about strength, wisdom, power and a lot more things, and, as you have seen on this guide, endless possibilities in a lot of different styles.
We do hope you enjoyed this guide!
