Tattoos of elephants symbolize a variety of things; depending on who you are and what type of elephant you are depicting. When choosing an elephant for your tattoo design, you have two options; an African elephant or an Asian elephant. African elephants have larger ears than Asian elephants, and are generally larger.
In Africa, the elephant is a symbol of power, strength and wisdom. Not only are they physically strong, but mentally strong too. An elephant herd can travel many miles across rugged terrain, following ancient, unmarked pathways to fin water, shelter and food.
In Asia, elephants are associated with royalty and spirituality. There are several deities in the area who are either human elephant hybrids or use the elephant as a carrier or companion. The white elephant is rare and treasured, and therefore an expensive pet that shows the wealth of the owner. Asian royalty has kept albino elephants for centuries and therefore the symbolism of a white Asian elephant is linked with royalty, unlike in the West, where a white elephant symbolizes a burden that the owner can’t get rid of.
Elephants exist in a matriarchal society. This means that the leader of the group is an older female, who guides and organizes the herd and protects the young. Male elephants are driven out of the herd when they reach adulthood and live either as solo bachelors or in small groups of males. A tattoo of an older female elephant is a powerful symbol for older women, as it symbolizes motherhood, leadership, strength and wisdom. For mothers, a tattoo of a mother elephant with her young in tow carries the beautiful meaning of loyalty and family values. For men, a tattoo of a strong male elephant is a symbol of physical and mental strength, independence and individual success. A tattoo of a war elephant is another elephant tattoo that has a powerful meaning for men, symbolizing capability, courage and the will to fight.
Take a look at these elephant tattoo designs to find inspiration for your own elephant tattoo:
Victor Octaviano tattoos a crying elephant in a watercolor style. The elephant bathes in a pool of its own tears, but despite that, it still raises its trunk. In elephant language, a raised trunk is a greeting, a warning or a way of smelling the air for a water source. In Asian symbolism, an elephant with a raised trunk symbolizes good luck and happiness. So even though this elephant is crying from a broken heart, it is still willing to persevere and move forward with strength through the difficulties that the future may bring. [source]
Tattoo artist Michael Moses creates a surreal fantasy tattoo of four elephants frolicking around a double trunked elephant god. The elephants on each side of the tattoo symbolize loyalty and devotion; they are allowing themselves to be led by the elephant god by their trunks. The elephant god at the center of the tattoo is symbol of leadership, wisdom and strength. [source]
This adorably cute elephant tattoo symbolizes childhood, love and the relationship between mother and child. [source]
The Hindu god Ganesh holds a club of war in this black ink tattoo. Ganesh is the god of new beginnings. This tattoo design shows how the elephant god is prepared for war. [source] You can learn more about the meaning of Ganesh tattoos in: Tattoos of the God Ganesh Create a Skin Religion
A bachelor elephant is a symbol of independence in this realistic tattoo by Maui Meherzi. Whether worn by a man or a woman, a tattoo of a solo elephant symbolizes the strength and courage to go it alone. [source]
Carola Deutsch uses a watercolor tattoo style to create this fantasy tattoo of an elephant with butterfly wings as ears. This is a popular idea in fantasy art; to replace the elephant’s ears with butterfly wings. The shape of the elephant’s ears are very similar to butterfly wings, so the result is not only beautiful, but also somewhat believable. [source]
Mark Noel uses a dotwork tattoo style to create this paisley elephant chest tattoo. The chest is a perfect place for a large elephant tattoo, especially for men, since a man’s chest and elephants are both linked to masculine strength and power. [source]
A mother elephant leads her young in this neck tattoo that symbolizes loyalty, motherhood and leadership. [source]
Benjamin Otero has used a sketchy watercolor style to create this colorful elephant tattoo. The elephant looks out from the tattoo while standing its ground, unafraid of what may come. [source]
Tattoo artist Rodrigo Tas turns an elephant into a hot air balloon in this creative dotwork tattoo. There is a juxtaposition in the meaning of this tattoo; elephants are large, heavy animals, yet the artist has used the elephant in place of the hot air balloon. The meaning is obscure but humorous. [source]
