Dream about Tattoo? (Interpretation & Spiritual Meaning)
Tattoos are incredibly popular nowadays, and even many of those who don’t have tattoos may be thinking of getting one – so it’s no surprise that they can sometimes appear in our dreams too.
However, there are several ways to interpret dreams about tattoos, and understanding what the dream was about can be challenging – so in this post, we discuss the topic of tattoo dream meaning in depth to help you decipher what your dream was about.
Dream about Tattoo
Since dream interpretation is highly subjective and the meaning of any dream depends as much on how the dreamer feels about what was in the dream as it does on what it is they see, we need to start by thinking about the possible associations we have with tattoos.
Many people choose to get inked because the tattoo represents something they feel strongly about, and sometimes, people get tattooed to remind them of a special event – for example, many Olympians choose to have a tattoo of the Olympic rings done after competing.
Tattoos are also an expression of our individuality and our personalities, and they can also show our desire to be more beautiful or attractive. To many, they are a form of art too, and as such, they show one’s tastes and are an expression of creativity.
However, despite how widespread tattoos have become, they are still looked down on by some people, and in some social contexts, they are not considered acceptable – all of which makes some people view them as an expression of rebellion.
Finally, since tattoos are very hard to remove, they can represent permanence – and for those who don’t like their tattoos, they can also symbolize regret.
Dream about Tattoo? (Interpretation & Spiritual Meaning)
Having looked at the associations we have with tattoos, we can now move on to thinking about some of the most common interpretations of dreams about tattoos.
-
You want to be noticed
If you dream about getting tattooed, one of the most common interpretations is that the dream represents your desire to be noticed.
Perhaps you think you are a plain or otherwise unexceptional person, and you would like people to pay more attention to you.
Having a prominent tattoo such as a full-sleeve design would certainly get you noticed in real life, so dreaming about having a tattoo could be about something similar.
In your waking life, do you feel too anonymous? Do you feel that people don’t listen when you talk? If the answer is yes, it doesn’t mean you should literally go out and get a tattoo – but rather, you should work on ways to improve your confidence.
-
You want to be more unique
A similar interpretation is that getting tattooed in a dream means you want to be more unique.
Unlike the interpretation above, this dream is not about your desire for approval or attention from other people but instead, is about how you feel about yourself.
Perhaps you feel your life is uninteresting and that you never do anything out of the ordinary. If this is the case, and you believe this is what your dream is trying to tell you, then the solution is simply to try to do more exciting things.
Perhaps you can take up a new and unusual hobby or maybe you can take time to travel somewhere off the beaten track.
There’s so much you can do to make your life more exciting or adventurous, and it’s just up to you to go out there and do it – because there’s nothing stopping you apart from your own trepidation.
-
An event that has left its mark on you
A potentially more negative interpretation of a dream about a tattoo is that it concerns an event that’s left an indelible mark on you.
Probably, you didn’t dream of getting tattooed but rather, in your dream, you already had a tattoo.
Think about how you felt about the tattoo in the dream. Was the emotion mostly positive or negative?
If the emotion was positive, it could be your subconscious dealing with something that left a strong positive impression on you.
However, if the emotion was negative, it could mean that you experienced something unpleasant or traumatic and that you haven’t fully dealt with the emotions yet.
In this case, you should spend time in reflection and self-exploration to see where these feelings are coming from, and if you realize you have unprocessed negative emotions, you should try to find a healthy way to release them on your terms.
-
Having a tattoo removed – a desire to make amends
If you dream of having a tattoo removed, it may relate to a mistake you made in the past and your desire to make amends.
Perhaps you wronged somebody, and afterwards, you regretted it. If this is true, then now might be the best time to apologize and make up.
This dream could relate to anything in the past you feel regretful about, so if you have this dream, think about what you can do to make things better in your waking life or how you can make it up to someone you mistreated.
-
A desire for change
Getting a tattoo changes your appearance, and dreaming of getting one could be a message that you are yearning for change in a more general sense.
Are you feeling bored with your job or your social life at the moment? Is it time to shake things up a little? Think about which areas of your life might be becoming a bit stale and then do something about it!
-
A need to be more decisive
When you walk into the tattoo parlor to get inked, it can be a big decision, so going ahead with it in a dream may have something to do with decisiveness.
Are you facing a big decision in your life at the moment but don’t know which way to go? If you are, this dream could be telling you to be decisive and go with your gut because the decision you are about to make is the correct one.
Alternatively, the dream could be telling you to stand up and take more decisions in a general sense because your tendency to hesitate is holding you back.
-
Tattooing somebody you know – you are being overbearing
If you dream about tattooing somebody you know, it could mean that you are being overbearing – and this is especially likely if the person in your dream seems resistant.
It could be that you are forcing somebody into doing something they don’t want to do, in which case you should consider whether what you are doing is the right thing or if you are being selfish.
-
Transition or rebirth
The tattoo you get in your dream could symbolize transition or rebirth since the new tattoo represents the new you.
Are you going through any big changes at the moment in your life? And how do you feel about them? If you are unsure about the changes, this dream could be telling you to have confidence and embrace the change since it will bring you great opportunities.
The tattoo marks your new start, so you should accept it and own the process rather than being scared of the unknown events that lie ahead.
-
A spiritual journey
Similarly, having a tattoo done in a dream may mark the start of a new phase in your spiritual journey.
As we mentioned above, some people get tattooed to mark momentous occasions in their life, and getting a tattoo in your dream could signify a landmark in your spiritual development.
Have you recently been spending more time in meditation and deep thought or other spiritual pursuits? Have you actively been trying to explore yourself and grow as a spiritual being?
If the answer to these questions is yes, then this dream can be taken as a sign of encouragement that you are on the right spiritual path.
-
Tattooing yourself – have more self-belief
A less common dream about tattoos is one about tattooing yourself, but if you have this dream, you should ask yourself if you are lacking in self-confidence.
If you think you are, the correct interpretation of this dream could be that you need to have more faith in yourself and your abilities because you are more capable than you give yourself credit for.
-
A bad tattoo – a poor decision
If you dream of getting a bad tattoo, there’s a good chance this dream is a message about a poor decision you’ve made.
Either you know the decision was poor and you’re regretting it, or you’ve made a decision recently but haven’t yet realized it was the wrong one.
Either way, when you come to understand what the decision was and why it was wrong, you should try to go back and undo the damage – and if you’re lucky, the dream will come early enough to warn you before it’s too late to change things.
Follow your intuition to help interpret your dream
To interpret a dream about a tattoo, pay attention to how you felt about the tattoo in the dream and what else was going on around you – as well as what the tattoo was if you can remember.
Then, by applying what you saw to your current life situation and following your intuition, you will be guided to the correct interpretation of your dream.