20 of the best chest tattoos for men and their meanings (with photos)

20 of the best chest tattoos for men and their meanings (with photos)

Tattoos have become popular due to their beauty and longevity. If you plan to get one, consider getting chest tattoos. The chest area is one of the most common places where guys get body art. But which designs are best? Here are some popular chest tattoos for men with meanings to consider.

chest tattoos for men
Some examples of chest tattoos for men. Photo: @kitengela_tattoos_, @samaytattoostudio, @riotinkohio (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Chest tattoos for men include pieces that are ideal for any man. They include designs that are masculine and have significance as well. So if you were wondering what and where to get your first tattoo, then the chest area is a perfect spot.

Best chest tattoos for men and their meanings

Getting a chest tattoo will do the trick if you want to display your masculinity during summer. In addition, due to the chest area being relatively broad, it is an ideal part for your tattoo artist to work their magic. Which tattoo is best for the chest? Here are some perfect ideas with meanings for you to try out.

Read also

20 amazing ankle tattoos for men and women that will flaunt your walk

1. Tribal patterns

chest tattoos for men
Tribal body art designs in black ink. Photo: @jeffquintano, @alienvi_ (modified by author)
Source: UGC

This tribal design is a popular and unique piece for many men. The tattoo is ideal for people wishing to display their authority or status. Chest tribal tattoos symbolise strength, affiliation or pride and confidence.

2. Half-chest tattoos for men

chest tattoos for men
Half chest tattoos for men, including Japanese-inspired artwork. Photo: @devronny_0615, @jasonlau_tattoo (modified by author)
Source: UGC

The half chest is among the popular shoulder-to-chest tattoo ideas. This art design covers only half of your chest area with a design of your choice. The half-chest body art symbolises split personalities or uncertainty.

3. Japanese themed

chest tattoos for men
Detailed Japanese chest body art, one coloured and the other in black and white. Photo: @alyschendliktattoos, @majonestattoo (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Without a doubt, Japanese tattoo designs stand out among the rest. They are vibrant and usually contain detailed pieces that make them unique works of art. One popular design in Japanese art is the dragon tattoo. The Japanese dragon symbolises wisdom, strength and blessings.

4. Skull themes

chest tattoos for men
Skull-inspired chest body art, including a detailed piece with a clock and compass. Photo: @sircalebneff, @mixedbreed_tattoo (modified by author)
Source: UGC

The skull body art is a popular choice for many men. The design looks fantastic, and it evokes a bad-boy appearance. Skull body art is a popular form of symbolism, representing positive and negative aspects. Getting such a design could symbolise life and death or good and evil.

Read also

20 impressive tattoos with praying hands ideas and their meaning

5. Owl-inspired body art

chest tattoos for men
Beautiful owl-inspired chest body art for men. Photo: @rogeralvaradotattoo, @tattooheaven_official (modified by author)
Source: UGC

The owl body art is among the most popular men's chest tattoo ideas. The design of an owl is iconic, and it symbolises light during the darkest of times. In addition to the symbolism, the concept is both attractive and unique.

6. Soaring eagle

chest tattoos for men
Soaring eagle chest body art with the bird showing its talons. Photo: @dr_vega_tattooer, @tattoos_by_captain (modified by author)
Source: UGC

This American-inspired design is popular among men as it symbolises strength, courage, power, freedom and intelligence. Depending on the artist and your choice, the eagle body art concept can incorporate various designs.

7. Goat chest tattoo

chest tattoos for men
Goat-inspired body art, including one drawn with roses while the other is a winged goat. Photo: @biglouink, @jay_blkmgc (modified by author)
Source: UGC

The goat chest body art is popular among people looking for designs symbolising power. Despite the goat being a tragic animal, its influence in many cultures signifies libido and fertility.

8. Anchor art

chest tattoos for men
A coloured and black and white anchor chest body art. Photo: @keithgobleart, @sapiryahell (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Anchors are essential in preventing ships from being carried away by the current. Therefore getting body art with the design of an anchor symbolises stability, power and strong will.

9. Heart body art

Read also

The Medusa tattoo meaning and the different variations you can ink on your skin

chest tattoos for men
Black and white and coloured versions of the heart chest body art. Photo: @artisticendeavorsem.morris33, @simonemuttitattoo (modified by author)
Source: UGC

The heart chest body art is a creative design with realism. Such art symbolises love and romance and is often used to represent passion, affection and commitment. This design is an excellent option for men's chest tattoo ideas.

10. Lion design

chest tattoos for men
Iconic black and white lion chest body art. Photo: @sarahantoniatattoo, @agungtattoos (modified by author)
Source: UGC

This lion chest body art is ideal if you want popular chest tattoos for black men. The design symbolises bravery, strength, courage and fearlessness.

11. Quote-inspired art

Since the chest area is a large canvas area, it offers one of the best locations to place a quote tattoo. Such art designs can symbolise anything the quote is about. Some popular options are quotes about courage, religion and love.

12. Snake themes

chest tattoos for men
A coloured and plain black snake chest body art design. Photo: @anto_ghostkoi, @gorfu.ink (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Snake body art is a symbol of strength and power. In addition, in some cultures, the snake represents transformation, new beginnings and fresh starts because of its ability to shed skin.

13. Cross-themed design

chest tattoos for men
A simple and detailed cross-chest body art design. Photo: @amynguyenart, @mieshaaplustattoos (modified by author)
Source: UGC

If you are religious, what better way to demonstrate your Christianity than with cross-chest body art? This design symbolises faith, religion, hope, love and redemption.

Read also

30 stunning hummingbird tattoo ideas and what they symbolize

14. Star-inspired art

The star chest is the perfect choice if you want small chest tattoos for men. The star represents truth, spirituality, and love of the cosmos.

15. Sailing ship

chest tattoos for men
Sailing ships chest body art designs. Photo: @midwestlove, @waynefredrickson (modified by author)
Source: UGC

This design is ideal for those sea theme lovers. The body art symbolises adventure, new beginnings, good luck, hope, bravery, honour or a troubled past.

16. Crown themed

chest tattoos for men
A coloured and black and white chest body art design. Photo: @luizboothtattoo, @grig_tattoo (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Crown body art is famous for its representation of royalty and hierarchy. The plans are ideal for men to symbolise their desire for power and authority.

17. Line art design

chest tattoos for men
Circuit line art (R) and a geometrical chest body art. Photo: @visual.tattoo.hk, @waz.art (modified by author)
Source: UGC

This design is for the classic man who appreciates simplicity. This variation involves using lines to create a circuit board design on the body. The design symbolises technology and simplicity.

18. Family inspired

Family is everything. Therefore getting body art to represent one's family is a true statement of loyalty and commitment. You can add family names to complete this chest body art.

Read also

20 of the best religious tattoos for men that will make you look cool

19. Norse themed

The Nordic mythology is among the most famous legends. Its popularity is in most art pieces, with many opting for Viking body art designs. Such tattoos represent strength, bravery and magic.

20. Tiger body art

chest tattoos for men
Tiger chest body art in a coloured and black and white version. Photo: @arttdome, @great_white_tattoo (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Because the tiger is an animal renowned for its strength and power, getting a tattoo will represent such. Various options like black and white or colourful schemes bring out the animals' majestic ability.

What is the symbolism of a chest tattoo?

Because the chest is often associated with emotions, chest tattoos often symbolise openness and love.

How painful is getting your chest tattooed?

According to Removery, the chest tattoo is, for many people, one of the most painful spots to get inked. The platform gives the area a 10/10 pain level.

Do upper chest tattoos hurt?

Yes, they do. According to Byrdie, most chest areas will hurt unless you have lots of muscle or body art in place.

Read also

20 unique forearm tattoos for men and what they mean

Chest tattoos for men include some unique and popular designs. They are popular because they are appealing and are a sign of masculinity. The chest area is ideal for its size and ease of ink compared to other places. Therefore if you are looking for meaningful chest tattoos, the ones above should be handy.

Yen.com.gh published an article about unique American traditional tattoo ideas and their meanings. These body art ideas have become popular due to their designs and significance.

Traditional American tattoo ideas include unique pieces that have become the go-to choice for many body art enthusiasts. Bold black outlines, vibrant colours and distinct shading characterise them. So, which ones make it to the list?

Source: YEN.com.gh

Authors:
Chris Ndetei avatar

Chris Ndetei (Lifestyle writer) Christopher Ndetei is a junior reporter writer who joined the Yen team in May 2021. He graduated from the Machakos Technical College in 2009 with a diploma in ICT. Chris has over two years of experience in content creation and more than ten working in the hospitality industry. He covers lifestyle/entertainment, focusing on biographies, life hacks, gaming and guides. In 2023, Christopher finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. You can reach him at chrisndetei@gmail.com

Tags: