Do Ankle Tattoos Have Meaning? Also Introducing Designs and Pricing!

Ankle tattoos are a popular placement because they are easy to hide and also have a strong fashion element.

Also, while the ankle placement itself has no meaning, anklets (accessories worn on the ankle) have different meanings depending on whether they are worn on the left or right foot.

In this article, we will thoroughly explain ankle tattoos, including meanings, designs, typical price ranges, and pain when getting tattooed!

Meaning of Ankle Tattoos

First, getting a tattoo on the ankle itself does not have any special meaning.

However, the accessory called an anklet, worn on the ankle, has different meanings on the left and right foot, and you can apply the same meanings to tattoos as well.

Below, we will introduce the meanings of anklets in Japan!

Meaning of an Anklet on the Left Ankle

On the left ankle, it has meanings of warding off evil and being a charm. Originally, anklets were meant to ward off evil, and that tradition remains.

It can also mean proof that you have a boyfriend/girlfriend, or love for a partner or spouse, and it is said that wearing matching anklets protects the love and bond between the two.

Meaning of an Anklet on the Right Ankle

On the right ankle, it can mean increasing the power you desire (making wishes come true), not being controlled by anyone, and freedom.

Also, as an extension of the meaning of freedom, it can also mean that you are looking for a partner or that you are single. If someone who has a partner or is married wears an anklet on the right ankle, it could end up meaning you are looking for an affair partner, so be careful.

*There is also a theory that the meanings of warding off evil and making wishes come true are fine on either side.

Motifs Commonly Used for Ankle Tattoos

For ankle tattoos, various designs are possible, from normal anklet-like designs to designs that connect down to the toes, to one-point tattoos.

For example, even within anklet-style designs, there can be many variations such as a single chain or double chain, the chain and charm designs, or making it tribal.

Whether it’s anklet-style or one-point, many people incorporate motifs they like.

For example, motifs like the following are often used.

• Feathers
• Flower Tattoo Behind the Ear
• Stars and the moon
• Hearts
• Crosses
• Butterflies

Ankle Tattoo Designs

We will introduce ankle tattoo designs for men and women separately.

Not only anklet-like meanings, but tattoo designs themselves also have meanings. If you consider meaning when getting tattooed, it becomes easier to feel attached to it, so it is recommended!

Designs For Men

First, we will introduce designs for men. Even women looking for more masculine designs may find something they like.

Barbed Wire Anklet Tattoo

Barbed wire is said to represent the strength of someone who has overcome painful experiences such as trauma.

Eagle Tattoo on the Ankle

Because an eagle freely soars through the sky, it has meanings such as freedom, bravery, and strength.

Landscape and Lettering Tattoo on the Ankle

It is also a popular design to tattoo a meaningful landscape for yourself together with a short phrase related to it.

Tribal Anklet Tattoo

A highly popular tribal tattoo is placed on the ankle.

Tribal tattoos were created with unique designs by different tribes in various regions, and the meanings also differ by tribe.

Dragon Anklet Tattoo

This also arranges the popular dragon motif into an anklet style.

The ink-like touch is an impressive design.

Birth Year Tattoo on the Ankle

Tattooing your birth year is also popular.

The impression changes greatly depending on the font used, so it is also a fun design to customize.

Feather Anklet Tattoo

This is a feather anklet tattoo design that is also easy for women to get.

ネイティブ・アメリカンにとって、羽根はお祓いなどの儀式で使われる神聖なものでした。

Therefore, it has the meaning of a protective charm that guards you from evil beings such as demons.

For Women

From here, we will introduce designs for women. Men looking for unisex designs may also find this helpful.

Birthstone Anklet Tattoo

誕生石をモチーフにしたアンクレットタトゥーです。

Each birthstone has a different meaning, and they are also popular as charms.

Dolphin Anklet Tattoo

This is a cute anklet tattoo design with dolphins jumping through a pastel-colored sea.

Butterfly Ankle Tattoo

With a butterfly motif, it is drawn from the ankle to the lower calf.

The graceful image of a butterfly dancing into the sky is impressive.

String Anklet Tattoo

This is an anklet tattoo that looks like it was made by tying strings.

Connecting it down to the toes is also a stylish and nice design.

Flower and Moon Anklet Tattoo

お花とチェーンの2重のアンクレットタトゥーです。

Flowers alone are cute, but layering them twice creates a more elegant impression.

Plum Blossom Anklet Tattoo

桜よりも控えめな小さな花を咲かす、梅をあしらったアンクレットタトゥーです。

Plum blossoms have flower meanings such as loyalty, nobility, and patience.

Heart Tattoo on the Ankle

A simple one-point heart on the ankle is cute, but as in this image, incorporating a dog or your favorite flower also adds playfulness and may be a good idea.

Dog Anklet Tattoo

Various dogs are drawn along a line that wraps around the ankle.

If you love cats, it might also be cute to change them into various cats.

Typical Price Range for Ankle Tattoos

Basically, tattoo prices go up or down depending on factors such as the size and complexity of the design, and the tattoo artist’s experience.

However, it is especially difficult at first to develop a sense for that, so below we will introduce rough price guidelines while giving design examples.

For a one-point tattoo about the size in the photo, since the design is not too detailed, many shops will be around 10,000–20,000 yen.

For an anklet-style design like the one on the left, it can often be done for around 20,000–40,000 yen.

先ほどあげたサイズやデザインの複雑さ以外にも、値段を左右する要素はいくつかあります。

If you want to know more, please also refer to this article!

Do Ankle Tattoos Hurt?

The ankle is said to be a place that tends to hurt because it has little fat and the distance to the bone is short.

また、足の甲まで至るデザインの場合、神経も多い場所なので痛みはより強くなります。

However, if it is around a one-point ankle tattoo, the session time is usually around one hour, so it is unlikely to be unbearable.

On the day of the session, make sure you are in good physical condition!

Conclusion

Ankle tattoos can be given meanings derived from anklets. Also, there is a wide variety of designs, so they are recommended as fashion as well.

そして、隠しやすい場所でもあるので初めてタトゥーを入れる人や仕事上タトゥーがバレたくない人にとっても入れやすい場所ではないでしょうか。

Also, thinking about meaning is a good thing for becoming attached to your tattoo, but you do not need to be overly bound by it. In the end, get a tattoo that you can truly be satisfied with!