Meaning of Moon Tattoos – Introducing Designs Such as Tribal Styles and Sun Combinations!

The “moon” shining in the night sky is a highly popular motif, especially among women.

Also, one of the reasons it is popular is that even though it is “the moon,” you can enjoy many designs such as the full moon and the crescent moon.

However, do you know what meanings moon tattoos have?

So this time, we will introduce the meanings of moon tattoos and stylish designs!

Meanings of Moon Tattoos

Twilight-Moon

The mysterious beauty of the moon shining in the pitch-black night sky is a motif loved not only in the world of novels and paintings, but also in tattoos.

Moon-motif tattoos have the following meanings.

  1. Femininity / Motherhood:
    • Just as the sun is seen as a masculine symbol, the moon has long been seen as a feminine symbol.
      Therefore, moon tattoos often express femininity, motherhood, affection, and a sense of acceptance.
  2. Change / Growth:
    • Because the moon repeatedly waxes and wanes and changes its appearance every day, it is also given meanings such as change, growth, and transformation.
      From there, it can also come to mean life’s transitions and new beginnings.
  3. Rebirth / Eternity:
    • The moon changes from a waning shape into a large, splendid full moon, and then it wanes again.
      Because it repeats these changes in cycles, it is given meanings such as rebirth and eternity.
  4. Hope / Guidance:
    • The moon is also given meanings such as hope and guidance.
      In the past, when there were no streetlights, once the sun set everything was wrapped in darkness, so people are said to have walked at night relying only on moonlight.
      From that past, these meanings were given.
  5. Yin-Yang / Harmony:
    • In ancient Chinese thought, there is an idea called yin-yang.
      It is the idea that the world is formed while two opposing forces confront each other and maintain balance, and one representative example is the moon and the sun.
      Therefore, especially designs that combine the sun and the moon mean the harmony of yin-yang and the balance/equilibrium of opposing forces.
  6. Mystery / Mysteriousness:
    • In many countries, the moon is seen as a symbol of mystery and being mysterious.
      Just as the Japanese novelist Natsume Soseki famously translated “I love you.” as “The moon is beautiful, isn’t it?”, it is thought that the moon’s beautiful glow, and the fact that it is close yet out of reach, connect to these meanings.

Introducing Moon Tattoo Designs

We will introduce moon tattoo design examples.

Even with the same motif, the impression can change greatly depending on how it is drawn and how it is combined with other motifs.

Please try to find a design that feels right to you!

One-Point Moon and Sun Tattoo on the Upper Arm

This is a one-point tattoo that combines moon and sun motifs.

Because the moon representing night is filled in black, it creates a good contrast with the sun.

Pair Tattoo of the Moon and Sun on the Upper Arm

This is a design example of a pair tattoo combining the moon and the sun.

The moon and the sun are drawn on each person’s arm, and it can express the strength of a bond that may sometimes be in conflict, yet never separates.

Geometric Tattoo Motif of the Moon’s Phases

This is a geometric tattoo using the moon’s waxing and waning phases as the motif.

The moon’s phases match very well with geometric patterns made of straight and curved lines.

Geometric Moon Tattoo on the Back

This is also a geometric tattoo using the moon’s phases as the motif, but because the back is used as a canvas, more detailed patterns are drawn.

The simple geometric tattoo above is stylish too, but when the patterns become more intricate, it gives a somewhat mysterious atmosphere.

Moon and Rabbit Tattoo (For Women)

This is a tattoo with moon and rabbit motifs.

A rabbit is hanging from a black moon, and especially its expression makes it a very cute design.

Tribal Moon Tattoo on the Chest

This is a design example of a tribal moon tattoo on the chest.

A moon drawn in a tribal-style design feels even more mysterious.

Simple Moon and Star Tattoo on the Arm

This is a tattoo design that simply draws a moon and stars on the arm.

Because it is a simple design, it is nice that both men and women can get it easily!

Tribal Moon Tattoo on the Shoulder (For Women)

Tribal Moon Tattoo on the Shoulder (For Women)

This is a design example of a moon tattooed on the shoulder in a tribal style.

This design gives a softer impression than typical tribal patterns, so it is recommended for women.

Moon and Butterfly Tattoo on the Arm

This is a tattoo design depicting the moon and a butterfly in pastel colors on the arm.

It is a beautiful design, as if it jumped out of a picture book.

Cute Moon and Cat Tattoo (For Women)

This is a tattoo design combining moon and cat motifs.

The cat gazing at the stars is very cute, so it can be said to be a design for women.

Moon and Birthdate Tattoo on the Chest

This is a design example of a moon and a birthdate written in Roman numerals on the chest.

Not only your own birthdate, but tattooing your child’s or a couple’s birthdays is also a good idea!

肩に月と狼のタトゥー

This is a tattoo design example combining moon and wolf motifs.

The crescent-like moon and the wolf match very well.

Moon and Flower Tattoo on the Back

This is a tattoo design combining the moon and flowers.

It is a feminine and very beautiful design!

Moon and Rose Tattoo

This is a tattoo design combining the moon with a blue rose.

A blue rose has wonderful meanings such as “dreams come true” and “miracle,” and also meanings like “mysterious,” which go very well with the moon.

Moon, Clouds, and Snake Tattoo on the Chest

This is a tattoo design combining the moon, clouds, and a snake on the chest.

Snakes usually have a scary image, but this design turns out with a mysterious and fantastical atmosphere.

Moon and Themis Tattoo on the Arm

This is a tattoo design combining the moon with the goddess Themis from Greek mythology on the arm.

The word “Themis,” which is the name of a goddess, means things like “the natural order” in Greek, and it is actually a motif that goes well with the moon.

Moon and Plum Blossom Irezumi (Japanese-Style Tattoo) on the Ankle

This is an irezumi combining moon and plum blossom motifs from the ankle to the calf.

Drawn in an ink-painting-like touch, this irezumi has a very Japanese beauty.

Moon and Rose Tattoo on the Collarbone

Moon and Rose Tattoo on the Collarbone

This is a tattoo design combining the moon and roses on the collarbone.

The collarbone area can be seen subtly depending on what you wear, so it is a popular placement among stylish people.

American Traditional Moon and Sun Tattoo (Ametora / Traditional Tattoo)

This is an American traditional tattoo with the moon and the sun drawn on each arm.

The distinctive American traditional way of drawing is very nice.

Moon and Cherry Blossom Tattoo on the Stomach

This is a tattoo design depicting a blue moon and cherry blossoms on the stomach.

黒い月などでも哀愁漂って良いですが、青く幾何学的な模様の描かれたこの月は桜と良いコントラストを生んでいますね。