85+ Best Lock and Key Tattoos – Designs & Meanings 2019

For a while tattoos were only seen as tribal markings or symbols of affiliation to gangs. However, this has since changed, and tattooing has been accepted as a form of art.

There has been may tattoo designs developed over the years and many more keep coming up, but the lock and key tattoos are perhaps some of the most popular ones.

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The increased popularity of these tattoos can be associated to three key things: the symbolic meaning of the lock and key, creativity, and ease of getting these tattoos.

As a tattoo enthusiast or a person seeking to get a new tattoo, this would be a great idea but it will be significant first to understand their meaning and some of the types available.

Meaning of Lock and Key Tattoo

A tattoo is a mirror of your personality, and so it can mean anything you want it to mean and so there are no universal meanings for tattoos. However, there are some common meanings attached to particular types of tattoos with the lock and key tattoo included.

When two people are in love, it is quite common to hear one of them tell the other that they own the key to their heart. This tattoo can be used to symbolize the bond between couples. Best friends can also have the matching lock and key tattoos to indicate their relationship.

There are many ways that it can be drawn to bring out this meaning. One of the partners can have the key while the other one can draw the lock. In other instances, one of them can have both the lock and key and a few words to indicate why they have it.

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These tattoos can also be used to mean unlocking new opportunities and endeavors to a person. Having gone through hardships in life, an individual may choose to get this tattoo to encourage themselves.

The key shows their desire to unlock new opportunities that are symbolized by the lock.

There are any things to unlock and discover in the universe, and so a person can use this tattoo to represent the infinity of the universe. If you are fascinated with the world or you like exploring and discovering new things, then this is a great tattoo idea for you. 

In some situations, this tattoo can be used to symbolize imprisonment or captivity. If you were once locked away and you want always to remember the hardships you went through during the incarceration.

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Types of Lock and Key Tattoos

• Matching tattoos:

This is one of the most popular kinds of this symbol especially with couples and best friends. In this tattoo, one of the friends one of the partners in the relationship gets the lock while the other one has the key inked on them.

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The symbol can be drawn anywhere, but most people prefer to have theirs on the wrist. For others, the lady gets the lock inked close to their heart while the man has the key inked on the wrist or one of his fingers.

• Skeleton:

Tattoo lovers have always been fascinated with skeletons, and so most tattoo types have at least one skeleton variation. This tattoo has not been exempted from this as one of its most popular designs involves a skeleton image.

The image can be on the key alone or in both the key and lock. The skeleton is meant to evoke mysterious things kept in closets or even pirated and hidden treasures.

• Big Key and Lock:

This type of tattoo is more popular with tattoo lovers who love big tattoos. In this tattoo, a big key is drawn on one hand and an enormous lock on the other. Some people have the tattoo stretching the entire length of their arms but other like it smaller.

• Finger key tattoo:

In this tattoo the key is drawn on one or more fingers while the lock is drawn at the back of the hand or the wrist. This is an incredible tattoo idea especially if you get a key for every finger, but the problem commonly arises when trying to determine where to draw the lock.

• Ankle tattoo:

This tattoo is more popular with ladies since it has a distinct feminine look. The symbol is drawn on the ankle with the lock and key on a bracelet or chain

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• New school roses and vines tattoos:

Roses have a way of making any tattoo look fabulous no matter what the type might be. There are many variations of lock and key tattoos that are supplemented with roses and you can have them with any rose. Vines also add a twist to the tattoo giving it a unique look.

• Heart lock and key:

In this tattoo the lock is drawn in the shape of a heart which also happens also to be the most popular way that the lock is drawn in most of the other tattoos. The key can also be made to take the shape of a heart, but it would look just fine when it is just drawn plain and simple.

• Dove and a set of keys:

This tattoo is mostly drawn on the back, and there are many ideas and variations to this tattoo. You can have two doves with one carrying the lock and the other one with the key. Another idea would be a dove carrying a set of keys towards the lock.

What makes this tattoo unique is not only the symbolism that the lock and key represent but also the message that doves are used to pass across in tattoos.

• 3D Lock and Key tattoo:

3D tattoos have become very popular in recent years. To keep up with the trend, every tattoo has had to transform to make it possible for people to have 3D tattoos inked on them. The 3D lock and key tattoo looks equally as good if not better than some of the most popular 3D tattoos.

The best part, however, is that you can have almost any lock and key tattoo you wish in 3D provided you find the right artist for the job.

• One lock three keys: This tattoo is very symbolic, and the number of keys can vary depending on the meaning that you want to portray. It’s also very versatile, and it can be drawn anywhere and in any size that you might wish.