Heart tattoos are one of the most popular tattoo designs available today. From their humble beginnings on the arms of proud sailors to the complex designs they appear in today, heart tattoos designs have evolved and adapted into fresher, contemporary, eye-catching unique pieces of art.

With little inspiration, the beginning for heart tattoos was a simple heart shape on the top of your arm. Without much distinction, the tattoo did not portray anything and was just a simple design. Nowadays, a lot has changed and heart tattoos can symbolise deep meanings, portray strong characteristics such as strength and love and can be encorporated into something unique.

The Sacred Heart is a design that is encompassed with thorns and a flame that escapes from the top of the heart. For Catholics, the Sacred Heart is a religious symbol that depicts Jesus’ own heart as he showed it to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque. Those who opt for a Sacred Heart tattoo design manifest either strength or a form of devotion to Jesus Christ.

A Pierced Heart can be related to the Sacred Heart. Together with a dagger that cuts the heart, meanings of sorry or grief are depicted here. If there is the arrow that pierces the heart, it signifies strong passion or deep love.

The Locked Heart is a tattoo design adopted by couples who wish to have a permanent mark to show their eternal love for each other. Some of these heart tattoo designs also have a lock and a key to show the person is a part of a couple and in a relationship.

The Broken Heart is quite to oppposite, and symbolises unrequited love or suffering and can often mean the loss of someone dear to the person. Times, names and dates are often included in a Broken Heart tattoo design.

A heart with a name is also a popular design and is a strong manifestation of deep feelings for a person, for example everlasting honour to someone special.

One of the rarest heart tattoo designs are those that looked like they’ve been healed, usually using stiches or a bandage. Wearers of these hearts are generally people who may have survived a disease. In this case, their heart has been restored back to health.

Finally, the Celtic Heart is popular amongst those who follow Celtic beliefs. The heart design usually has Celtic knots and loops in the design.