“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” -Plato
If you’re looking for a tattoo with deep meaning and you’re a fan of music, a music tattoo may be a perfect tribute.
In this guide, we’ll help get the creative juices flowing for music lovers by showing you the 31 best music tattoo ideas you’ll find.
By looking through these photo examples, you’ll be able to form a good idea of the perfect music tattoo design for your taste.
We’ll also take a look at the most common reasons folks tattoo a tribute to music on their skin.
So throw on your favorite tunes and let’s have a look.
Meanings Behind Most Music Tattoos
Passion for Music: For many, a music tattoo symbolizes their deep love and passion for music. This can be a general appreciation for all music or a tribute to a specific genre, artist, or song that has had a significant impact on their life.
Personal Identity: Music tattoos can serve as a representation of one’s identity or personal story. For musicians, it might symbolize their dedication to their craft, while for fans, it might reflect the role music plays in their lives as a source of comfort, inspiration, or escape.
Tribute to a Favorite Artist or Band: Getting a tattoo related to a favorite musician, band, or specific song is a way of paying homage to their influence. This can be through lyrics, band logos, portraits, or symbols associated with the artist.
Expression of Emotions: Music is a powerful medium for expressing emotions, and music tattoos can symbolize a range of feelings from joy and love to sorrow and loss. Lyrics or musical notes from a song that resonates with someone’s personal experiences are often chosen for this purpose.
Connection and Unity: Music tattoos can symbolize a sense of connection with others who share similar musical interests. This can create a sense of belonging or unity with a community or subculture.
Life’s Soundtrack: For some, music tattoos represent key moments or periods in their life, acting as a kind of personal soundtrack. Each tattoo can commemorate a significant event, relationship, or phase of personal growth.
Creativity and Inspiration: Music tattoos can also symbolize creativity and the pursuit of artistic expression. For creative individuals, these tattoos can serve as a reminder of their inspiration and the endless possibilities for expression within the arts.
Spiritual or Philosophical Symbolism: Certain musical symbols or instruments have spiritual or philosophical meanings. For instance, the lyre can symbolize harmony and creativity, while specific songs or lyrics might capture existential reflections or spiritual journeys.
Memorial: Music tattoos can serve as a memorial for loved ones who have passed away, especially if a particular piece of music was meaningful to that relationship or if the loved one had a passion for music.
Music Tattoo Examples
Here are the 31 most creative music tattoo ideas you’ll see for this year, organized into two photo galleries by type:
- Music Tattoos In Black & Gray
- Music Tattoos In Color