Dove Tattoo Designs

There are a number of birds which are chosen to make a tattoo. However, one of the most beautiful and meaningful tattoo designs are those that revolve around doves. They are beautiful winged creatures which have numerous symbolic meanings associated with them, including religious beliefs, everlasting love, etc. Almost every culture has a different meaning attached to doves, although, the universal meaning of peace and love remains. If you are the peace-loving kind, then peace dove designs are the most appropriate tattoo designs for you.

Dove Tattoo Meaning

There are many interpretations of a tattoo depicting doves. For some, a dove can signify peace, freedom, happiness and also love. Some people perceive a dove to denote aspects of after-life. There are others to whom a dove can mean purity of the soul, while on the other hand, a soaring dove depicts the journey in the spirit world. It is also seen as a symbol of a soul freed from its physical form and soaring towards its everlasting destiny.

In Christianity, a dove is looked upon as a symbol of hope. After a dove came back to Noah with an olive branch in its beak to tell him that the flood water had ceased and the Great Flood of God's Judgment was over, it came to be seen as a symbol of hope. Later, it also became a symbol of peace. It is said that God sent his spirit in the form of a dove to gather mankind into his church, after which a dove is also looked upon as a symbol of the Holy Ghost.

Doves in different colors have different meanings attached to them. A red dove is a symbol of Christ redeeming man with his blood. The diversity of the twelve Prophets is symbolized by a speckled dove. On the other hand, a white dove is a symbol of innocence, gentleness, love and peace. According to a Chinese belief, a dove is a symbol of a long and healthy life. If you are fond of Chinese motifs, you can opt to add other Chinese designs to your dove tattoo.

Designs and Ideas

There are a number of ideas which you can make use of while getting a dove tattooed upon your person. You can get a pair of doves tattooed. They will symbolize everlasting love, prosperity, fidelity and a happy home. Hence, there are a number of couples who opt to get identical pair of doves tattooed. A number of couples opt to get a couple of doves tattooed upon themselves after their wedding.

Doves can be depicted as flying, perched on a branch or other positions as well. There are a number of designs of dove body arts in Celtic style of tattooing as well. The most common design is a Celtic dove which is enmeshed into the lattice-work of a Celtic scroll. Some of the tattoos can also be shown with the dove carrying an olive branch or flower in its beak. For an elaborate design, you can have the bird flying free from a pair of outstretched hands.

Dove tattoos can also be made in remembrance of a loved one. It will act as an eternal reminder of the loved one. It can also be made along with the name of the departed soul. This tattoo design can also come to represent that the soul is at peace and has crossed over to the after-life without any hardships. The third meaning is that the wearer of the tattoo has already accepted the passing of the loved one.

Normally, colors are not used to make these tattoos as the most common designs are in white. It is often the outline which is used to depict a dove. If tribal tattoo is your choice, then you can get a dove image inked in black as well. Such tattoos are often made on the back or the chest. It is very common to see girls getting dove images tattooed on their hips. On the other hand, a dove motif on the wrist is common with the guys. Talk to your tattoo artist before you finalize on a tattoo design. He may be able to give you different inputs on the design.