The Sweetest Sea Horse Tattoos

The seahorse is a type of fish with a face that vaguely resembles the face of a horse. With its curly tail, delicate features and horse-like face, this fantastic creature is a favorite among girls and woman as a tattoo design. 

Too Cute to be True: Seahorse Tattoos

The seahorse is an unusual creature in that it seems to belong on another planet, instead of in the seas of Earth. When the sea horse was first discovered by early scientists, it earned itself the name Hippocampus. In Ancient Greek, hippos means horse and kampos means sea monster. This little horsey sea monster has intrigued and delighted biologists and nature enthusiasts for centuries, and has been celebrated in art in paintings and sculpture and as decoration for household objects such as vases and crockery. Seahorse designs aren’t just nice to look at, they also have a deeper meaning, which means that they have a place in body art as symbolic tattoos.

A cute seahorse tattoo with big cartoon eyes and long eyelashes, a perfect design for a girly girl

A cute seahorse tattoo with big cartoon eyes and long eyelashes, a perfect design for a girly girl who feels a connection with seahorses. Seahorses are often included in tales of underwater adventures with fantasy and mythological creatures such as mermaids, sirens and sea gods. [source]

 

Seahorse tattoos are easily recognizable, because no other creature has a silhouette quite like the outline of a seahorse. With its long snout, shapely jaw, bulbous stomach and curled tail, seahorses are easy to spot even when they have been inked into a larger tattoo design. The seahorse has a fin on its back that has inspired many tattoo designers to get creative, replacing this fin with bird wings, butterfly wings or fairy wings, although the seahorse doesn’t need much creative help to look beautiful.

A blue ink tattoo of a seahorse on the side of the hand. When the tattoo owner curls her finger, the tail of the seahorse curls too

A blue ink tattoo of a seahorse on the side of the hand. When the tattoo owner curls her finger, the tail of the seahorse curls too, creating the easy-to-recognize tattoo silhouette of a seahorse. [source]

 

An unusual species of seahorse is the sea dragon. These seahorses have evolved fins that mimic the leaves of seaweed and drift around the sea in clumps of seaweed. Sea dragons are rare and difficult to spot. Divers and swimmers who have seen this special creature are often so moved by its delicate grace that they are inspired to get a tattoo of this beautiful seahorse.

This sea dragon seahorse tattoo is by Colin Enwright. All of the leafy looking parts are the seahorses fins

This sea dragon seahorse tattoo is by Colin Enwright. All of the leafy looking parts are the seahorse’s fins; appendages that have earned this seahorse the name Leafy Sea Dragon. [source]

 

The Meaning of Seahorse Tattoos

Ancient Chinese cultures believed that the seahorse was a type of small sea dragon, and revered the tiny creature as a kind of distant cousin of the great dragons. They also believed that seahorses were good luck, and placed designs of seahorses in areas of the home or business that needed luck. For those who prescribe to Chinese culture, a tattoo of a seahorse can be a lucky charm that is worn on the skin, a cheerful body art work that is believed to bring its wearer good fortune.
A fun tattoo design that shows a topless Native American girl riding a seahorse

A fun tattoo design by Seth Wood that shows a topless Native American girl riding a seahorse. In every culture that has encountered seahorses, there are stories about this creature. They are often described as the carriers of deceased souls of deities. [source]

 

Mediterranean species of sea horse are very territorial. The males stay within 1 meter of their habitat, vigorously defending their territory from other males. The female Mediterranean sea horses are more bold, exploring about 100 meters from their home. A tattoo of a Mediterranean species of seahorse can be a symbol of determination, loyalty and patriotism for men, and a symbol of courage, travel and choice for women.
A high quality tattoo design that combines a horse and a mermaid tail to create a seahorse

A high quality tattoo design that combines a horse and a mermaid tail to create a seahorse. Animal hybrids have existed in myths and legends for centuries and fantasy hybrid designs like this one are becoming more and more popular as tattoo designs. [source]

 

Ancient sea faring Europeans believed that the seahorse carried the souls of drowned sailors into the underworld. They also believed that the sea horse was a physical manifestation of the sea god, Poseidon/Neptune and treated the tiny seahorse with reverence and awe, attributing the tiny creature with godliness and ethereal power. Because the seahorse is a sea creature, it can be worn in tattoo art as a symbol of the power of the ocean and water.
A sea goddess rides a seahorse and carries a trident in this large tattoo design

A sea goddess rides a seahorse and carries a trident in this large tattoo design. In reality, either the girl would be really tiny, or the sea horse would be quite large. [source] 

 

Although they are very small, seahorses can weather underwater storms by wrapping their tail around a piece of coral or seaweed and holding on while underwater currents surge around them. This means that a tattoo of a seahorse can be a symbol of patience and perseverance. For those who have stayed strong through difficult times, a sea horse tattoo can be a way of honoring their own ability to hold on tight and weather the storm.
These two friendship tattoos have matching designs and are worn on the same place; the ankle

These two friendship tattoos have matching designs and are worn on the same place; the ankle. Perseverance is recommended in any relationship, even friendships, so a tattoo symbol of determination and strength is an excellent choice for two friends. [source]

Mayhem & Muse