10 Small Tattoos That Can Be Covered (Or Shown) at a Moment's Notice

Most people associate tattoos with large, flamboyant, artistic drawings on the skin. Tiny tattoos are not just meant to be a gateway for beginners; a good idea can look great, regardless of how big or small a canvas it is painted on is.

Today we’ll talk about 10 small tattoos that can be covered or shown at a moment’s notice, so without any further ado, let’s dive straight into it:


1. Letters

The obvious choice for first-timers, letters that represent the initials of a loved one, a particularly important date, or the first letter of the name of a dear person. Letters are ideal small tattoo ideas if you already have a particular font in mind.

Letter tattoos can also be finalized substantially faster in comparison to almost every other concept. Keep in mind that non-professional tattoo artists would assume that you know next to nothing about tattoos if you eagerly order a single letter on your shoulder without giving too many details. Urge the artist to be as attentive as they would be while doing a full-chest tattoo.


2. The Ouroboros Snake


The serpent eating its tail originated in Egyptian iconography and would occasionally pop up in Hermetic and Gnostic practices and studies. This symbol is believed to be magical, signifying that all beginnings and endings meet.

Ouroboros tells a story that destruction brings creation, just like creation inevitably brings destruction. Unlike Yin & Yang symbol that signifies balance, Ouroboros encompasses the differences between opposing forces and brings them together.

3. Lion Cub

The king of the jungle is a huge, beautiful beast that would struggle to fit on a chest of an athlete, even more so on the shoulder of a thin beginner athlete. If you want the symbol of pride, strength, and courage to grace your body, but you need the tattoo to be small, a lion cub may be the perfect solution.

4. Faith Cross

Conservative believers that know the scripture by heart aren’t likely to have their bodies inked, as the Old Testament prohibits making any carvings in the flesh. However, the New Testament does not mention such concepts. Instead of using a tattoo as a fashion statement or a bucket list item, modern-day Christians wear them as symbols of faith, perseverance, and humility.

One of the simplest, yet remarkably powerful small-tattoo concepts for Christians is the Faith Cross – the letter ‘T’ in the word ‘Faith’ is replaced with a cross, combining the two elements.

5. Logo of a Favorite Game

Many hard-core gamers sport tattoos of their favorite titles and what better way there is to commemorate a decade of playing Dota, League, or CS: GO? While the graphic elements of most recent games are beyond stunning, the logos of long-running titles have remained more or less the same.

6. Clock/Watch

While old-fashioned clocks are often associated with antiquities and nostalgia, watches are a symbol of luxury and elegance. However, both clock and watch tattoos have various meanings beyond their usual associations.

Clocks are also a symbol of time, and the idea is to set the hands to a very personal moment, which could be the time of birth, the time you got married, got a child, or it could signify the moment of passing of a close friend or member of the family.

Conceptually, clock tattoos are easy to work with, and even the tiniest ones can be detailed and beautiful. Small clock tattoos will usually have even smaller hands, so it may be a better idea to go with a digital watch.

7. Triquetra – Trinity

The origins of the Triquetra predate Christianity. This ancient Celtic symbol was used to represent the three primordial elements, after which it stood for the Holy Trinity. Aside from the spiritual symbolism of Triquetra, it’s an excellent small tattoo idea as it looks great regardless of its size.

Triquetra also symbolizes the unity of spirit, body, and mind, which is the reason why so many athletes have one on their sleeve. In terms of the meaning behind it, both believers and atheists could ascribe any personal emotions or links to it.

8. A Compass

The compass helped millions of adventurers, scouts, and stranded survivors navigate unknown lands for numerous centuries. It’s a symbol of hope and direction, both literally and metaphorically. Spiritually, its role is that of a guide on one’s life journey, representing discovery and spiritual awareness.

The ideal place for a small compass tattoo is on the palm of either hand, which would metaphorically represent having it ‘handy’ whenever needed. The symbol of a compass is also said to bring good fortune to any person that may be lost; many stranded survivors are said to have stumbled upon heaps of great treasure by accident while trying to find their way back home.

For people who prefer to have many small tattoos over a full-sleeve, the compass tattoo would be a great addition to the sailing ship, palm tree, and anchor, especially for sailors and survivors of shipwrecks.

9. Lotus Flower

One of the most popular tattoo choices for women all across the globe, the Lotus Flower is as gorgeous as it is meaningful. It’s gorgeous even when done in black and white due to its perfectly symmetrical design, although it’s certainly not the easiest tattoo to ink on a small canvas.

If you choose to go with a colored variant, each color represents different things; white lotus stands for purity and spiritual awakening while red lotuses symbolize passion, love, and virility. Multi-colored lotus tattoos are left open for interpretation.

Another interesting aspect regarding small lotus flower tattoos is that they can take on different meanings depending on whether the flower is closed, partially, or fully open. Some believe that the openness of the flower mirrors the open-mindfulness of the tattoo’s owner.

10. Sailing Ship

The most iconic symbol of sailors is incredibly popular among travelers, as it’s a constant reminder of soothing sea voyages and cruises, beach parties, and everything related to summertime relaxation. Nautical tattoos are popular among Americans, especially among Navy personnel.

We hope this rundown was useful to you and that you’ve discovered something new. Make sure you are staying safe in these times we are all going through and have a good one, guys!