To orient ourselves we could start by saying that Egyptian tattoos are one of the most popular tattoos that exist and that they really have a very old origin. On the other hand, if we were to choose the most famous Egyptian tattoos today, we would certainly have to mention the ankh tattoo of Amy Winehouse or the tattoo of Akhenaten, Nefertiti and her children who have on the right arm Rashedd Wallece a star of the NBA
As we know the Egyptians, one of the oldest cultures on the planet, about going out for art and the way of conceiving life. Not forgetting that the tattoo was also one of the significant elements in that society.
But despite what you can think the tattoo practice is not widespread among the majority of the population, being related to the priestesses, princesses and dancers who tattooed an established pattern of parallel lines and shapes. No doubt these tattoos should have a meaning that today remains forgotten. But far from this, what we now call Egyptian tattoos, they have nothing to do with this concept.
At present, the motifs represented in the pyramids are taken and transferred to the art of tattooing, so to speak artificially. Trying to somehow transfer the magic, the symbology, and the beauty of those representations in the stone to the human skin in the form of a tattoo. These tattoos are chosen by both men and women in different parts of the body, with different designs, colors and sizes. That is why we have prepared a list of the most represented motifs in Egyptian tattoos so that it can serve as inspiration.
Ankh It is a symbol of the oldest represented by a rounded cross at the top that in as a hieroglyphic symbol means life. In fact this tattoo represents eternal life. It is one of the most popular that is usually represented in any part of the body and in most cases of small size.
Eye of Horus or aka Wedjat. This symbol was used in its epic in ships, amulets, bracelets … etc., since it represented first of all protection. Their representation is summarized in the right eye of Horus, the hawk and god of heaven who are also accompanied by marks that represent tears.
Eye of Ra In meaning it is very similar to the Eye of Horus since the god Ra and Horus became one according to legend. In fact both Ra, the sun god and Horus are represented by a sun. On the other hand it is very common to find the Eye of Horus or Ra tattoo incorporated into a pyramid.
Anubis If we keep in mind that Anubis was considered the god of the dead, it represents, in that sense, the protection of death. You will distinguish it because it is represented by a body of a man and head of a jackal.
Phoenix. Actually this bird in Egyptian culture was called Bennu, and was the representation of Ra's soul. According to mythology Bennu is born from the ashes of the sacred tree that was near the temple of Ra and symbolizes the rebirth.
Egyptian motifs are very common and recurring. They are full of symbology and at the same time are very aesthetic. They are mostly symbols of the Egyptian era. Pharaohs and pyramids are very tattooed in this collection.
The goddess Isis spreading her wings, at the bottom we see some symbols of Egyptian writing whose meaning we do not know.
Although the quality of the image is not very good we can appreciate how the main element is the famous eye of Horus to which lines and other decorative elements have been added around it.
All the motives of this man are related to Egypt and its culture. In the center it has the god Anubis with several pyramids in the background.
More discreet than those we have seen so far, the famous eye of Horus is repeated, in this case tattooed on the neck.
Pharaoh of a huge size on the back of a man who loves the Egyptian world.
Very beautiful goddess Isis accompanied by a large pyramid in the background with the eye of Horus on the cusp.
This may be the most popular symbol of Egyptian culture. Very popular among women.
A pharaoh or Egyptian next to the famous eye. This drawing is not very good, at least compared to those collected in this section.
Printed as a symbol with a kind of wings, it is drawn in the lower back area.
One of the simplest and most common tattoos related to Ancient Egypt is the Anj, a widely used symbol that means "life", that is why this cross is known as the cross or key of life, among other names.
Osiris eye tattooed simply in a uniform black tone.
It is the second time we see this symbol. It is one of the most famous Egyptian symbols.
In this one, the eye of Horus has been given more prominence and has been decorated with more motifs, at the top the Anj symbol is repeated again.
Design for the leg and ankles.
The same previous design but seen from another angle.
It seems to be a symbol of those used by the Egyptians in their murals.
The anj of this tattoo is a bit peculiar, because we can clearly see how the famous key of life is represented, but the tattoo filling is very similar to the Celtic style and the way in which Celtic-style crosses are filled and decorated . It seems that this person has chosen to mix in a single symbol two very different cultures.
Two designs for the arm. They are not the best.
Ladybird with wings that seems to be holding the sun, will certainly have an important meaning.
Forearm tattooed with a pharaoh or an Egyptian citizen.
In this photograph we do not know very well what is being represented.
Eye of osiris with relief very well achieved, the white tone in contrast to the black gives a very beautiful result.
The beetle is also a very famous symbol of ancient Egyptian culture, because they considered it as an amulet of life and power.
Symbols tattooed on the chest of this young man.
Skull with the face of an Egyptian pharaoh.
Egyptian symbol inside the huge design of this man's back.
I would dare to say that the divinity represented here in Ra, because of the great circumference with which it is represented at the top, which represents the solar circle.
Typical image associated with Egyptian culture. In my opinion it lacks color.
On the back of the neck Eye of color and the other part of the tattoo made with black ink.
Two different designs of the eye of Horus.
Two designs viewed from different angles. Design tattooed on the belly or waist.
Very beautiful east of Isis and very similar to the first tattoo we have seen, in this case without any color, at least so far.
Funny and original this.
Too bad that the quality of the photograph is not very good to be able to contemplate this drawing in an easier way.
Egyptian design on the leg. We have not seen many in this area of the body.
Several Egyptian symbols printed with little order. We do not understand why the hands that come out of the symbol at the bottom.
Many Egyptian symbols tattooed on a man's forearm. We can see many mathematical symbols.
Design with various Egyptian symbols on the back.
A colorful insect with wings in warm tones and with a very successful shine on its body and head.
Again, we see the goddess Isis spreading large tattooed wings in the lower back.
Image in which you can see a poor quality design: poor precision and poorly saturated black tone.
Only of colors.
The famous symbol on the right side of the back and on the arm in the following image.
It is a very classic design that admits a multitude of sizes and can be represented in many areas of the body, all of them with good results.
Tattoo in the center of the back or neck.
You can guess that there is a pyramid on one side and two sphinxes in the lower area of it.
Horrible design of a sphinx in black tones that has a rather poor result.
Bird that occupies the entire back of this young man, printed in a simple but worked way.
It seems that it is a stamp printed on this young man's wrist.
A sphinx printed in the forearm area. It also has a suitable shape for this area and fits very well.
Bird printed on the neck with letters that occupy the column from top to bottom.
The eye of Horus shaped like a rock.
Esfine printed on the arm and with very bright colors.
Eye of Horus design inside an orange circle with wings and sunrays.
A symbol in the upper back of this girl.
Mummy in brown tones and shades with shadows that give it volume.
Black sphinx cat design. It is quite elegant on this girl's leg.
A kind of sun with moon colors and an eye of Egyptian influence.
Beetle with brightly colored wings and somewhat disproportionate dimensions.
Eye of Horus whose eyeball stands out for its intense green tone
Golden beetle with bright colors on its wings.
Anubis design, Egyptian jackal. It is surrounded by small symbols.
Nice eye in which the irises of the iris play a very important role that give a good result.
Sphinx with somewhat strange colors, the truth of them has not been chosen in a successful way.
The cross of Egyptian life with symbols and characters inside.
Design of the mummy of Tutankhamun in the typical yellow and blue tones.
A lion printed with traces in black tones and a large size that occupies almost the entire back.
Black cat that usually has a very elegant result as you can see in the image.
Sphinx printed on the leg.
Egyptian pickling, typical amulet that symbolizes life and power.
Sphinx on a mummy over a pyramid. For my liking, we have tried to put too many elements in the same design, so there is an ornate result.
Sun with the key so common in this category in the center of it.
Another design of clear Egyptian influence.
This design also has typical characteristics of Egyptian culture.
Tutankhamun design with the eye of Horus and the three pyramids at the bottom.
Another beetle in mainly purple and blue tones and with large wings.
Black design that occupies a large part of the back.
When you try to put so many elements in the same design, results may be somewhat charged.
A very beautiful eye of Horus with touches of orange.
Original design of two sphinx cats along with yellow eyes on the top, all simulating the face of a feline.
We finish with something strange in which many distinctive elements of Egyptian culture are mixed where the main one is the cat.