300 guides

Who it is for

The same design reads differently depending on who wears it and where.

Placement

Where it sits drives visibility, pain, healing and how it ages.

Subjects & symbols

What the design depicts, and what it has traditionally meant.

Before and after

Choosing, aftercare, cover-ups, and finding the right artist.

Piercing

Placements, healing and jewellery, beyond tattooing.

Culture

Tattoos in public life.

40+ Stunning Dolphin Tattoo Designs and Ideas

It would be safe to wager that there is not a single person in this world that does not love the sight of a dolphin! These incredibly cute animals bring a smile to anyone's face as they snub their nose and playful nature toward you. Dolphins are ranked among the most intelligent of creatures along with the fact that they are also very friendly and nimble too. They seem to cavort in water as if it is the easiest thing to do while ensuring that they and their pod of dolphins are protected at all times.

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The dolphins are considered to be quintessentially female in nature and are revered for their many qualities among most cultures. But the reason for the dolphin as a tattoo design is based on two things - they are great to look at and another is that they represent many things symbolically. The dolphin has always been viewed as a creature having a noble and helpful nature which does not resort to violence. There have been many stories where dolphins have saved the life of marine travelers and led them to safety.

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Dolphins have always been part of legends that pertain to the ocean and seas - alongside other creatures like the mermaids and sea dragons. But unlike any other creature of the sea, the dolphin is always seen and shown as an affable creature. Among the Celts, the dolphins carried a lot of significance with the belief that entering the waters that have dolphins in them would cleanse your soul and bring you peace.

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The Dolphin is supposed to denote prosperity and act as a guiding force. Another thing that a dolphin has going for it is the fact is that they are also supposed to be connected with reincarnation. This means if you are looking for a change or a chance to recreate yourself then the Dolphin Tattoo is the way to go for inspiration. The dolphin also symbolizes water among other things to do with nature.

Dolphin Tattoo
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With dolphins it does not just end with simple water; it is also associated with the god Apollo who is supposed to represent the Sun and Aphrodite the goddess who is supposed to represent the moon. The Sun Dolphin is supposed to signify good quality of life, good health, intelligence, energy and the act of renewal. With the Moon Dolphin it is supposed to represent the female power, lost dreams, powers that are hidden and good intuition.

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Dolphin Tattoo
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Apart from these dolphins represent a sense of fun, smartness, fidelity, free thinking, incredibly well balanced, gentleness and renewal. The dolphin is not only smart and cute but it also has many commendable qualities like being social and family oriented. Under the Chinese way of thinking they represent Yin-Yang with a sense of balance and harmony.

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With so many meanings, symbolism and significance associated with dolphins it is no wonder that they are sought after as a tattoo design. When you start looking for tattoo designs you will find that there is plenty of choice and you can choose the location of your choice depending on the location you pick for it.

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Normally women like to get the dolphin tattoo to be placed on the lower back, ankles, shoulders etc. With guys the choice for area where the dolphin tattoo is drawn is usually the upper arm. Men tend to go for dolphin tattoos more for the symbolism than the looks of it like women do. No matter where you have it, you can look at all the choices in front of you before making a final decision.

Here are some more images from the collection of Stunning Dolphin Tattoo Designs Ideas:

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