Remember Him Forever: 10 Memorial Tattoos for Dad
Losing a loved one is the greatest tragedy you can experience, especially when it’s your dad. Dads give us all the strength we need in this world, and when they leave, it seems like they take that strength from us. But they live on in us, and we can show them love even after they’re gone, for example, by getting a remembrance tattoo.
With that in mind, here is a list of great ideas for memorial tattoos for dad, so that you can commemorate your departed parent.
10 Memorial Tattoos for Dad
Getting a memorial tattoo does two things. First, you will have a stunning piece of body art your dad would surely have appreciated. And second, you get to carry your dad with you every step of the way for the rest of your life. So here are some designs you can consider.
1. A Portrait
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One of the most common tattoos people get is a portrait of their loved one. By having your dad’s portrait on you, his image will never fade from memory. If you’d like a bit more of a vintage look, you can do a black and white tattoo.
On the other hand, choose a full-color tattoo if you want true-to-life body art. Either way, a portrait will be a great way to pay tribute to your dad.
All you need is your favorite photo of him. You can also incorporate different things into the design. Some people choose to add a touching message. Others decide on a circle of light around the portrait. Your options are limitless.
2. A Cross
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If religion plays an important part in your life, tattooing a cross with your dad’s name is a great way of saying that he is with God in your eyes. It shows that he is always with you, watching over you as your guardian angel.
A cross is also a good design choice because it is one of the most recognizable symbols in the world. So even if you want it to be ornate, with some roses around it, it will still undeniably be a cross and visibly show its symbolism.
3. A Quote
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Everyone has their favorite quote, and tattooing that special quote your dad liked would be a subtle way to commemorate him. You can tattoo it in a nice clean font on a visible or hidden spot.
You can also tattoo a quote by your father, something he always used to say that resonated with you. That way, his words will stay with you forever. What’s more, a tattoo can be a major source of motivation. Every time you look at it, it will remind you that your dad would want you to keep pushing through life, no matter what.
The best thing about a quote tattoo is that only you and maybe a couple of other people will know the true meaning behind it. Everyone else will see just a cool tattoo, so there will always be something only you and your father will share.
4. Dog Tags
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This tattoo design is perfect for people whose dads served in the military. Since dog tags symbolize the bravery of a soldier, getting that tattoo will honor the courage your dad showed in battle.
You can tattoo his name on one tag and yours on the other. Another idea is to combine a dog tag with a portrait and tattoo a picture of your dad on one tag and his name on the other.
5. Birds
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One of the best ideas for memorial tattoos for dad is a flock of birds. You can also combine a flock with some clouds to get a great piece symbolizing your dad’s divine freedom.
In some cultures, birds (especially white doves) symbolize angels. They both have the same defining feature — wings. So by tattooing birds, you are saying your dad is flying with angels now. That is a thoughtful tribute your father would have loved.
A great thing about this design is that it can also be combined with many different ideas. For example, you can insert a loving quote in the sky portion of the tattoo with your message for dad to make the tattoo even more personal.
6. Your Dad’s Favorite Item
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Memorial tattoos for dad often center around something he was sentimentally attached to. His truck, hunting equipment, or a present you gave him for his birthday — all of these can be a great centerpiece of a memorial tattoo. You will have something meaningful to carry on you that is uniquely personal between you and your dad.
7. Infinity Symbol
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This one is pretty simple. You want to say that your dad will live forever. What better way to express that than with this famous symbol?
You can use the infinity symbol in a variety of ways. This design is fantastic if you want a minimalist tattoo, where you would have your dad’s name and the infinity sign looped around it.
Or, if you are looking for a more complex design, you could use the sign as the center point of the whole tattoo. Around it, you may add details from his life and things you remember most about him. Hey, you could even incorporate it into a sleeve tattoo!
8. His Favorite Hobby
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We all know dads like to go fishing, hunting, camping, and similar types of activities. Designing your next piece of body art around his favorite hobby would make for a very dynamic homage to him. A campfire with his name or portrait in the smoke or his hiking boots are only some ideas for this type of tattoo.
9. Connecting Tattoos
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If you are looking for a special memorial tattoo for dad, then a tattoo that is only complete when you put your arms side by side is a great choice. For example, you can tattoo one side of a heart on one of your hands, while the other side of it would be on your other hand. A lock and key is also popular design for this type of tattoo.
What’s more, you could get a connecting tattoo with other family members. So, for instance, you would have one part of it, and your mom or your sibling would have the other.
10. Gates of Heaven
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Tattooing the gates of heaven clearly shows where you think your dad is right now. What’s more, you can do a lot with this design. Add a silhouette of a man walking through the gate to make the piece more powerful. Make it more momentous by including clouds and rays of light. There are virtually no boundaries.
