The Symbolism Behind Classic Tattoo Designs (Pt.2)

Myron Phoebus Ampatzis

26 Ιουν 2025 • 4 min read

Artist: Stoy Junx Style: Old School (Traditional) • Color

The meaning behind Classic Tattoos has always been part of their charm. Designs like hearts, skulls, or mermaids weren’t chosen just for their looks — they hinted at personal stories, beliefs, or moments in time.

That layer of symbolism still gives these tattoos a certain depth, even as styles shift. And, well, they never fail to intrigue.

Let's dive in.

Mermaid Tattoo

**Artist:** Batter Tattooer **Style:** Old School (Traditional) • Color | **Artist:** Vasso Lowbrow **Style:** Old School (Traditional) • Color

Temptation and mystery—an ode to the sea and the secrets it holds. The mermaid represents untamed beauty, a free spirit, and a deep bond with nature’s wild side.

Sacred Heart Tattoo

**Artist:** Batter Tattooer **Style:** Old School (Traditional) • Color | **Artist:** Goki **Style:** Old School (Traditional) • Color • Tribal

A symbol of divine love, for those who feel deeply and express themselves with fire and intensity. Often tied to spiritual devotion, it can also signify self-sacrifice, unwavering faith, and loyalty to a higher power.

Wolf Tattoo

**Artist:** Stef tattoo **Style:** Old School (Traditional) • Color | **Artist:** no.karate.in.the.pit **Style:** Old School (Traditional) • Color

The wolf is fiercely loyal—to its pack and to itself. A perfect emblem for those who protect their own at all costs and have the courage to walk their path alone.

Staircase Tattoo

**Artist:** Jerome Palo **Style:** Old School (Traditional) • Black & Gray | **Artist:** knk tattooer **Style:** Old School (Traditional) • Color

A sign of spiritual awakening—or a desire to escape. This symbol often hints at a personal journey, a quest for something greater, higher, and more meaningful.

Ship Tattoo

**Artist:** Usual Suspect **Style:** Old School (Traditional) • Black & Gray | **Artist:** Stef tattoo **Style:** Old School (Traditional) • Color

The call of adventure, with the longing for home. For sailors of old, ship tattoos were powerful talismans—symbols of strength, courage, and the hope of returning to what they loved.

Scorpion Tattoo

**Artist:** Billie **Style:** Old School (Traditional) • Black & Gray | **Artist:** Dane tattooer **Style:** Old School (Traditional) • Black & Gray

Strength, protection—or the sting of revenge. Once seen as a darker symbol, the scorpion today stands for resilience, intensity, and a warrior’s soul. It's for those who fight back, no matter what.

Cherries Tattoo

**Artist:** Wasted Youth **Style:** Old School (Traditional) • Color | **Artist:** Brest tattoos **Style:** Old School (Traditional) • Color

Sweet and seductive—cherries are more than meets the eye. Beneath their innocent look hides a playful sensuality, often symbolizing fertility and desire. A bold choice for those who like to show their spicy side.

Grim Reaper Tattoo

**Artist:** Wasted Youth **Style:** Old School (Traditional) • Color | **Artist:** Stoy Junx **Style:** Old School (Traditional) • Black & Gray

Death, personified—not to frighten, but to remind. It’s a symbol urging us to face our fear of the inevitable, and to live fully before the final chapter arrives.

Pin-Up Girl Tattoo

**Artist:** knk tattooer **Style:** Old School (Traditional) • Color | **Artist:** Dimitris V Tattooer **Style:** Old School (Traditional) • Color

Confidence, charm, and raw sensuality—all in one design. For old-time sailors, the pin-up girl was more than just ink—it was a fantasy, a muse, a memory of femininity carried across the sea.

Handshake Tattoo

**Artist:** WBroy tattooer **Style:** Old School (Traditional) • Color | **Artist:** Stoy Junx **Style:** Old School (Traditional) • Color

A handshake—universal sign of trust, loyalty, and respect. But add a "darker" twist, and it becomes one of the most iconic traditional tattoos. Often used to represent betrayal, yet sometimes it’s just a powerful tribute to a bond that can’t be broken.

Download Inkjin to discover the most rad Traditional tattoo designs or to send your own idea to your favorite artists and make the tattoo of your dreams a reality!

The Inkjin Team