Meaning of Clock (Pocket Watch) Tattoos – Introducing Chicano and Angel Designs as Well

Barcode tattoos are a relatively new motif that appeared alongside the development of digital technology.

They have been used by some manga/anime characters, and in the real world by people like Namie Amuro, and have attracted attention even from people outside the tattoo community.

However, did you know that barcode tattoos actually have deep meanings?

This time, we will introduce the meanings of barcode tattoos and design examples!

Meanings of Barcode Tattoos

Barcode tattoos are given various meanings, but here we will introduce five representative meanings!

1. Anti-consumerism and asserting individuality
   • Barcodes are attached to products, and they symbolize today’s consumer society and commodified society. By turning this into a tattoo, it can carry a meaning of resistance against people being treated like products, or protest against a standardized society.
2. Social satire and criticism
   • Barcode tattoos are also used as a satire of modern surveillance systems and controlled societies. In particular, they may be chosen as a way to express criticism of personal data management and invasions of privacy.
3. Personal uniqueness and identification
   • Because a barcode is a one-of-a-kind identification code with no exact duplicate, some people choose barcode tattoos to express each person’s uniqueness and individuality.
4. Fusion of digital and reality
   • A barcode is also a symbol of digital information. Barcode tattoos may be used to express a futuristic image or cyberpunk culture, as a way of showing the fusion of digital technology and reality.
5. Re-evaluating one’s own value
   • Some people use barcode tattoos as a way to rethink their own value or “price.” It can also carry the message that a person’s value is not determined by a product price.

Did you find a meaning that feels right for you?

Since scanning a barcode generally shows a product’s price, it is often used to mean value or resistance toward society.

Can Barcode Tattoos Be Scanned?

Actually, a barcode tattoo that is tattooed accurately can be scanned!

So, you can freely decide what you want to be displayed when the barcode tattoo is scanned.

However, even a very slight mistake, lines that are not drawn cleanly, or lines that blur after the procedure can make it unreadable, so be careful.

If you want a barcode tattoo that can be scanned properly, we recommend choosing your tattoo artist very carefully!

Types / Design Introduction of Barcode Tattoos

From here, we will introduce barcode tattoo designs!

There are not that many types, but we will also give a simple explanation of each tattoo design, so please try to find the design you like!

Simple One-Point Barcode Tattoo

This is a very simple one-point barcode tattoo.

As in this image, placing it somewhere that peeks out a little, such as the inner arm, makes it a stylish design!

Birthdate / Birthday Barcode Tattoo

This is a tattoo design with a barcode drawn together with a birthdate (birthday).

The country of birth is also written under the barcode.

One-Point QR Code Tattoo on the Wrist

This is a design example of a one-point QR code tattoo on the wrist.

This tattoo is drawn very finely and accurately, and it makes you curious what will appear when the QR code is scanned.

Spotify Barcode Tattoo

This is a design example of a Spotify song barcode made into a tattoo.

Tattooing your favorite song like this is also nice in the sense of expressing your individuality!

Barcode Tattoo on the Neck

This is a design example of a barcode tattoo on the back of the neck.

The back of the neck is a very stylish and popular place for a barcode tattoo.

One-Point Lettering and Barcode Tattoo

This is a design example with lettering placed above a barcode tattoo.

It says “One of a kind,” expressing that you are a unique existence.

Torn Barcode Tattoo

This is a tattoo design example that treats the barcode like prison bars.

The bars represent one’s past self, trauma, or something that binds you, and it is said to mean breaking free from that.

Rainbow Barcode Tattoo

This is a design example of a barcode tattoo drawn in rainbow colors.

It is cute as a design, and the rainbow also represents LGBTQ+, meaning human diversity.

Satirical Barcode Tattoo

This is a tattoo design combining German lettering and a barcode.

The lettering says “MENSCH” (German for “human”), expressing social satire and resistance against modern society.