75+ Stylish Hand Tattoo Designs For Men and Women – Designs & Meanings 2020
Just like the content of a tattoo design, the place of which appears on your body also has great significance. Hand tattoos, especially on palms, are not common. However, lots of meanings are associated with tattoos inked into the skin of your hand simply because of the placement.
In some cases, it is the ultimate expression of rebellion. Those who wish to ink their hands with tattoos will be more bold and courageous.
Contents:
Through this tattoo design, they want to convey some message to the world. Tattooing on hands is very painful, everybody knows it. If a person is ready to suffer this pain, he/she is doing so to prove a point.
History Of Tattoos On Hands
Hands have greater role in the human evolution. It is the tool for creativity and intelligence. If you observe the ancient cave paintings, you can see that a large portion of tribal rock art is made up with hand prints. Hands enjoyed a significant place even at the early stages of human development.
You need hands to grasp objects, create tools, tie knots, etc. In short, you require hands in almost all activities. Cave art presented hands as the most recognizable symbol of humanity. Therefore, tattoos on hands are the celebration of a connection between hands and creativity.
Tattoos on hands, especially on palms, is a poignant symbol that reveals the importance of hands in human life.
Tattoo henna is a centuries old practice of many Arabic nations and it is the process of ancient beautification for women. Incarcerated men and women like to get prison tattoos on their hands or wrist to denote their connection with a specific gang or clique.
The indigenous people of Polynesia, Australia and New Zealand use hand and facial tattoos to dignify class, station and the tribe or family they belong to. Both Japanese and Irish people allow tattoo sleeves to flow down and hands are the end of these extremities.
These are used for displaying the most important and potent symbols. This practice is very common in Scottish tattoos.
back to menu ↑
Why Hands?
Hands are selected for personal or political reasons. High visibility is the most important reason behind tattoos on hands. Compared to the other places, tattooing on hands is more painful.
So, when people ink on their hands, it signifies the high level of commitment. Hands are the preferred place for religious tattoos. Christians connect it with the crucifixion of Jesus. Instead of an original engagement ring/wedding ring that women wear or men wearing mens wedding rings on their fingers, some people select tattoo rings on their ring fingers instead of the formal band material such as tungsten carbide, titanium, gold, or sterling silver.
back to menu ↑
Types And Meaning Of Hand Tattoos
Gang symbols are the most popular types of tattoos on hands. In this design, a small set of three dots designed in triangular formation on the top of the hand. It is placed between the index finger and thumb.
It indicates that someone has become a part of a gang or has been jumped in a gang. When a new gang member moves up in the rank, more tattoos are displayed. It includes infamous teardrop under the eye, which signifies a kill.
If a spider web is designed on the elbow, it is the indication of time served for the good of case.
Tattoos are designed on hands to express emotions and social standing. If a person held out his/her hands with palms facing upward, it means that a submissive person held without weapons and was not a threat. However, if the hand is raised, it indicates that the person is ready to strike another one.
Therefore, hand in art is symbolic not on the basis of appearance but on the basis of how it is presented. It can be a peace offering, threat or blessing.
If a tattoo is designed on the back of the hand, the tattoo wearing person wishes to show the tattoo to others with palm facing downwards. When a tattoo is designed on the palm, the owner will show the link to others by placing hands upward. This gesture reveals peace, honesty, truth and supplication.
A wealth of hand symbolism can be found in Buddhist paintings. Gesture of meditation is the most recognized posture of Buddhist hands. As mentioned earlier, hands are the symbols of creativity, general busyness and work.
When you position your hands by facing palms upward, it indicates that you have stilled your body and allowed yourselves to be open to matters of spiritual or emotional nature.
Palm reading, palmistry and chiromancy are associated with future telling. It is done by examining the palms of hands. This is a part of almost all ancient cultures. However, it differs from one area to the other. Palmistry believers claim that telling future is possible.
They do it by reading lines and shapes of the hands of people. A separate meaning is associated with each area of the palm. Some are linked to the other planets in solar system.
Therefore, they also have astrological meaning as well. On the other hand, some areas are linked with time of life or some common life experiences such as marriage, death and birth.
You can place tattoos on the palm of hands according to palmistry ideas. It is considered as the symbol of luck in certain areas. It can also indicate the permanent symbol of protection.
The meaning of tattoos on left and right hands is different. When you tattoo your left hand, the meaning is passive. Therefore most of the people prefer to ink on their right hand. Left hand is the symbol of emotions, the moon, justice and it is the receiving hand.
But, the right hand is assertive and it symbolizes the sun, logic, mercy, and the act of giving. Though these can vary according to culture, they appear to be the most widely held believes regarding the difference between right and left hands.
The most commonly injured part on your body is the palm. Therefore, tattoos on your palm can be damaged very easily with scar tissues.
Hand is one of the most visible parts in your body. So, when you think about hand tattoos, you must consider this aspect very carefully. Getting a tattoo on your hand is very painful. Besides, it can also become infected very easily because they are the most used part.
You need your hands to do day-to-day activities. If you are planning to do tattoo on hands, your activities should be done in a safe environment till the initial healing. Before tattooing your hands, you must do some research on skin infections and inking, which helps you to avoid these dangers.
You should ask your artists regarding the ways to control pain.
