Latin tattoo ideas and meanings

Phrase Tattoos are always a good choice to bring a unique meaning and are very popular, and having your phrase in Latin, besides having historical concepts and meanings, still gives a special touch. Phrases are also very versatile, which facilitates the process of choosing where to tattoo.

Latin is an extinct language, but it was used for centuries, and is nowadays mostly limited to religion, law, and some medical terms. Some of the most popular are "Habeas Corpus" and "Rigor Mortis", but of course we can't exclude tattoos, where Latin has become increasingly popular.

Latin tattoo styles

Carpe Diem: Seize the Day

Before choosing your Latin tattoo, you need to define what style you want to follow. In our article fonts for phrase tattoosyou may have some ideas. The most common are handwritten style fonts or serifed fonts that resemble Old English, more blocky. Most tattoos are done in black, but it is possible to find some colorful examples.

Latin tattoo place ideas:

Depending on the size of the phrase and the font used, there are some more common options, but in the end it is always a personal choice.

Short sentences in Latin:

For shorter phrases like "Dies Irae", "Vita Mors" the most common place is the fingers, since each letter fits on a finger and they form the words perfectly.

For some slightly longer but still short phrases, such as "Veni Vedi Vici" (I came, I saw, I conquered) many choose to tattoo them on the side of the wrists or on your ankle bone, which can also be interpreted as an even greater meaning, as it can express that you are conquering the world.

Some other phrases can also look very good on the collarbones or near the chest.

Long sentences in Latin:

Slightly longer Latin phrases, such as "In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti" (In the name of the father, the son, and the holy spirit), will require more space and are usually done on the top of the shoulders, lap, belly, ribs, or along the legs and arms. These locations give more opportunity for the tattoo to have more space and also be complemented by other tattoos around it.

Latin tattoos of famous people

Of course, with the popularity of Latin tattoos, several personalities have their tattoos with phrases and their meanings:

  • Angelina JolieQuod me nutrit me destruit" (What nourishes me, also destroys me)
  • David Beckham: The player has a tattoo on his arm with "Ut Amem Et Foveam
  • Colin Farrel: The actor who played the Penguin in the last Batman movie, has a tattoo with "Carpe Diem".

Before realizing your sentence in Latin:

Before getting a tattoo, proofread the phrase to ensure that the spelling is correct. Since there are no native speakers of Latin, do your research in books and on the Internet carefully.

Latin tattoos and their meanings

Latin PhraseMeaning
Memento moriRemember death
In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus SanctiIn the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
In vino veritasIn wine there is truth
Tempis fugitTime flies
Carpe DiemSeize the day
Quod me non necat me certe confirmatWhat does not kill me certainly confirms me
Semper ad melioraAlways for the better
Neutiquam errorI am not at all wrong
Vox nihiliThe voice from nowhere
Amare et amariTo love and be loved
Amor numquam moriturLove never dies
Amare et honorareTo love and honor
Dum vita est, spes estAs long as there is life, there is hope
Vincit qui se vincitHe wins who wins himself
Tempus neminem manetTime waits for no one
Alis valat propiisFlies on its own wings
Vive ut bivasLiving to live
Veni, vidi, viciI Came, I Saw, I Conquered
Vita/MorsLife/Death
Carpe noctemEnjoy the night
Luceat lux vestraLet your light shine
Non ducor ducoI am not led, I lead
Nosce te ipsum/temet nosceKnow yourself
Alis grave nilNothing weighs on those with wings
Ut Amem Et FoveamFor me to love and value
Alis volat propriisFlies with its own wings
Audax at fidelisAudacious, but faithful
Auribus teneo lupumI hold the wolf by the ears (in an expression of courage)
Castigat ridendo moresLaughter corrects morale
Cogito ergo sumI think, therefore I exist
ex nihilo nihil fitNothing comes from nothing
Vestis virum redditClothes make the man
Luceat lux vestraLet your light shine
Luctor et emergoI fight and stand up
Nil desperandumDo not despair
Semper ad melioraAlways looking for better things
Verba volant, scripta manentWords fly, writings remain
Vir sapit qui pauca loquiturThe wise man speaks few words
Usque ad finemUntil the end
Primus inter paresFirst among like-minded
Christi crux est mea luxThe cross of Christ is my light
Divide et imperaDivide and rule
Ad astra per asperaTo the stars through difficulties
Amor ipse notitia estLove is a form of knowledge
Audere et facereDare and do
NihilNothing
Fortis et liberStrong and Free
In omnia paratusReady for anything
Memento vivereRemember to live
Minima maxima suntThe little things are the most important
Non timebo malaI will not be afraid of bad things
Omnia causa fluntEverything happens for a reason
Primum non nocereFirst do no harm
Totus tuusAll yours (great tattoo for couples)
Odi et amoI hate and I love
Amor numquam moriturLove never dies
Pax aeternaEternal Peace
De possibilitate ad actumOn the possibility of action
Fuerunt facta non verbaBe, don't talk
Amor vincere omnesLove conquers all
Si vis amari, amaIf you want to be loved, love
Bona FideIn good faith

Latin tattoo images

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