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
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 Phrase | Meaning |
---|---|
Memento mori | Remember death |
In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti | In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit |
In vino veritas | In wine there is truth |
Tempis fugit | Time flies |
Carpe Diem | Seize the day |
Quod me non necat me certe confirmat | What does not kill me certainly confirms me |
Semper ad meliora | Always for the better |
Neutiquam error | I am not at all wrong |
Vox nihili | The voice from nowhere |
Amare et amari | To love and be loved |
Amor numquam moritur | Love never dies |
Amare et honorare | To love and honor |
Dum vita est, spes est | As long as there is life, there is hope |
Vincit qui se vincit | He wins who wins himself |
Tempus neminem manet | Time waits for no one |
Alis valat propiis | Flies on its own wings |
Vive ut bivas | Living to live |
Veni, vidi, vici | I Came, I Saw, I Conquered |
Vita/Mors | Life/Death |
Carpe noctem | Enjoy the night |
Luceat lux vestra | Let your light shine |
Non ducor duco | I am not led, I lead |
Nosce te ipsum/temet nosce | Know yourself |
Alis grave nil | Nothing weighs on those with wings |
Ut Amem Et Foveam | For me to love and value |
Alis volat propriis | Flies with its own wings |
Audax at fidelis | Audacious, but faithful |
Auribus teneo lupum | I hold the wolf by the ears (in an expression of courage) |
Castigat ridendo mores | Laughter corrects morale |
Cogito ergo sum | I think, therefore I exist |
ex nihilo nihil fit | Nothing comes from nothing |
Vestis virum reddit | Clothes make the man |
Luceat lux vestra | Let your light shine |
Luctor et emergo | I fight and stand up |
Nil desperandum | Do not despair |
Semper ad meliora | Always looking for better things |
Verba volant, scripta manent | Words fly, writings remain |
Vir sapit qui pauca loquitur | The wise man speaks few words |
Usque ad finem | Until the end |
Primus inter pares | First among like-minded |
Christi crux est mea lux | The cross of Christ is my light |
Divide et impera | Divide and rule |
Ad astra per aspera | To the stars through difficulties |
Amor ipse notitia est | Love is a form of knowledge |
Audere et facere | Dare and do |
Nihil | Nothing |
Fortis et liber | Strong and Free |
In omnia paratus | Ready for anything |
Memento vivere | Remember to live |
Minima maxima sunt | The little things are the most important |
Non timebo mala | I will not be afraid of bad things |
Omnia causa flunt | Everything happens for a reason |
Primum non nocere | First do no harm |
Totus tuus | All yours (great tattoo for couples) |
Odi et amo | I hate and I love |
Amor numquam moritur | Love never dies |
Pax aeterna | Eternal Peace |
De possibilitate ad actum | On the possibility of action |
Fuerunt facta non verba | Be, don't talk |
Amor vincere omnes | Love conquers all |
Si vis amari, ama | If you want to be loved, love |
Bona Fide | In good faith |