Heart tattoos come in all sorts of sizes, colors and designs. Hearts have been popular tattoo ideas for both men and women for years, but the best heart tattoo designs are more about the meaning and symbolism of love, friendship, compassion, and life. And while some men may question whether a heart tattoo on the chest or small and simple heart on the wrist is masculine enough, the most badass ink ideas are all about finding something special to you.
If expressing your love and adoration for someone is the whole point, the heart is the perfect symbol. From a broken heart tattoo representing lost love to a heart-shaped tattoo with names, here’s our collection of cool heart tattoos. Whether you want a heart tattoo on your shoulder, arm, forearm, chest, back, wrist, hand, finger, neck or leg, these awesome and unique designs will inspire you to come up with new, creative ideas.
Heart Tattoo Meaning
The heart has two meanings in old and modern art. Depending on the design, this can express a positive or a negative feeling. Here are the meanings of different heart tattoos.
Heart tattoos for men are usually used to express their love for someone. It is not restricted to romantic relationships. You can use the heart to show your love for your partner or your family. Its use goes back to ancient times and its meaning hasn’t gone through modifications over time.
The broken heart is a universal symbol of grief, anguish or regret over the end of a relationship or the loss of a loved one. The broken heart tattoo can be a constant reminder of lost love, yet offer the inspiration to never take true love for granted.
The heart doesn’t always have to mean something when you tattoo it on your body. If you’re a fan of anatomical designs and biomechanical art, a real heart tattoo can just be a decorative piece on your chest that holds no meaning whatsoever. After all, a realistic heart tattoo can be an absolutely badass 3D design if your artist is good enough to make it come alive.
Cool Heart Tattoo Ideas
Getting any cool men’s tattoo is all about placement. For some of the top ideas on where to get your ink, check out these unique heart tattoos on the chest, arm, forearm, hand, back, shoulder, and wrist!
Chest heart tattoos can be used to express both love and loss. You can make them as big and as detailed as you want. As an added bonus, heart tattoo designs without meaning also look badass on the chest.
No matter what emotion you’re trying to show, heart tattoos on the arms are always great because everyone can see them at all times. If you want everyone to know that you’re infatuated with your partner and you’re off the market, heart tattoos with names in visible places really make a statement.
A heart sleeve tattoo can be a wonderful place to showcase a beautiful drawing. The heart on my sleeve tattoo idea can express compassion and empathy. Similarly, the half and full sleeve, or arm and forearm area, may offer a large enough canvas to work in multiple themed tattoos, making it more about detailed artwork and cool 3D effects.
The neck is great for both subtle and in-your-face tattoos. Since not all men are willing to accept that hearts can be manly when done right, you might consider the neck as a good location for a heart tattoo. Put it close enough to your collar bone and only your closest friends will be able to see it.
You don’t see too many heart tattoos that express love and adoration on the back. You want these to be in plain sight but that doesn’t mean there’s no room for heart tattoos on the back.
There are many cool designs that show a beating 3D heart as you would see it through a hole in your chest or back. If that’s not badass enough, try a combination of the arm, shoulder, back and chest for an amazing heart tattoo design.
Best Heart Tattoo Designs
Whether you want a 3D heart or any other heart-shaped artwork, see these awesome heart tattoo designs for inspiration. From small and simple to outlined, colorful, red and tribal, explore the best heart tattoos for men.
