Star Tattoo Meanings: 9 Special Designs That Will Make You Shine

Stars tattoos are simultaneously very popular while retaining their uniqueness. They make for a great option if you’re in the mood for a tattoo. It could just be for the aesthetic or stars could hold significant meaning to you.
Stars are a symbol of excellence and are commonly used to grade achievements. A basic star tattoo would signify hope, aspirations, and success. There are quite a few star designs to choose from. Read on to know star tattoo meanings to get some clarity when making your choice.
What Is a Star?
Stars are usually presumed to be twinkling objects visible in the night. In reality, stars are any object that is big enough to hold a fusion of hydrogen and helium gas inside it using its own gravity.
The smallest stars are known as red dwarfs and are quite common in the Milky Way galaxy. There are several stars visible to the naked eye, but the sun is the closest star to the Earth. In fact, the sun is a pretty average, medium-sized star with almost every other star we see in the night sky bigger than it.
Different Types of Star Tattoos and Their Meanings
#1. Nautical Star Tattoo
Image source: Pinterest
This one’s a favorite amongst sailors. The nautical star is inspired by the Polaris — a four-pointed star that travelers relied on for navigation. It is considered a symbol of good fortune while sailing in the open seas and is a motif of protection and guidance.
The nautical star tattoo also indicates an informal membership of the US Navy, Coastguard, or the Marine Corps, with the five stars on the US flags represented by the star’s five points.
The tattoo also indicates having control over your life’s direction. For a positive guide towards the future, you could tattoo the nautical star on your left wrist, with the star aligned towards your thumb.
#2. Six-Pointed Star Tattoo
Image source: Pinterest
The hexagram is referred to as the Shield of David. It is a famous Jewish symbol that denotes the communication between God and human beings. This symbol is often seen on amulets worn by people seeking protection and security.
It is also referred to as the Creator’s star, where the six ends of the star refer to the six days of the week and the center is the Sabbath.
The hexagram tattoo cannot be drawn continuously; it is made of a compound figure of two equilateral triangles. Therefore, you could also get this tattoo with your beloved, as it represents two people’s divine union.
#3. Winged Star
Image source: Pinterest
There are various meanings to wings across mythologies and religions. They represent growth, faith, and freedom.
A tattoo of a pair of wings attached to a star is usually worn on the heart or the wrist. If you see someone wearing this tattoo, it means they’ve lost someone close while they were far away.
The winged star tattoo is not as common as its counterparts, yet holds a lot of depth and meaning.
#4. Moon And Stars
Image source: Pinterest
This tattoo could be considered the symbol of hope, femininity, and purity.
Usually, the moon represents the parent while the stars are the children. It would mean that the parent is constantly watching over the children. The moon among the stars is the presence of light amidst darkness.
It is a popular preference amongst women owing to the feminine mystique of the moon. The tattoo is also a representation of fertility and how deep one can connect with another person on an emotional level.
#5. Constellations
Image source: Pinterest
Tattoos of constellations have become widely popular because of how unique these designs can be.
Constellations were used to figure out latitude and helped with navigation. So far, astronomers have divided the sky into 88 constellations. Science fiction aficionados are usually seen sporting tattoos of constellations.
As a constellation cannot exist unless it’s connected to other stars, a constellation tattoo would symbolize your connection to someone or something.
#6. Shooting Stars
Image source: Pinterest
In many cultures, whenever a shooting star passes by, people are asked to make a wish. They’re considered a sign of luck that ensures your dreams eventually come true. A shooting star is an event that occurs when a star dies. So a shooting star tattoo would indicate tough times coming to an end as new beginnings commence.
Some cultures believe shooting stars to be the souls of the deceased, while others regard it as a sign of a fallen angel or a demon.
You could get the tattoo simply because you’re a dreamer who chases the best of what life has to offer. And a comet tattoo with several little stars in its tow could mean incredible opulence. This tattoo generally symbolizes great fortune, prosperity, and ambitions coming to fruition.
#7. Patriotic Stars
Image source: Pinterest
To flaunt your love and respect for the country, you could get a patriotic star tattoo.
The design is a five-pointed star with the components of the American flag displayed within. The stars within the tattoo represent the fifty states of America and the stripes correspond to the thirteen original American colonies.
This would be a colored tattoo. The red of the flag stands for bravery and vigor, the blue stands for justice, vigilance, and tenacity, while the white is symbolic of purity and innocence.
#8. Pentacle Or Pentagram Stars
Image source: Pinterest
The pentagram has a lot of importance in Pagan and Wiccan traditions as it is a symbol of the Wiccan faith. It is a five-pointed star indicating the five elements — air, water, fire, spirit, and earth.
The circle around the pentagram exists to protect the force of life inside it. It is also a symbol of permanence and eternity as the circle has no end. However, Wiccans only use pentagrams that point up, as the pentagram pointing down is regarded as a Satanic symbol.
A tattoo of the pentagram could mean a belief in the Pagan gods. It is also a motif of protection on oneself’s body.
#9. Other Types of Stars
Image source: Pinterest
A single star tattoo could mean that you are exceptional and unique in your thoughts and endeavors.
A series of three stars denote the journey towards success. The stars get progressively bigger in size as you begin with small achievements and proceed towards grand wins.
A cluster of stars in the same or different design would mean that you carry a bit of the universe in you. It could mean an affinity towards astronomy as well.
You can even incorporate all these star tattoos and customize your own meaning for them!
A Few Parting Words
Although a star tattoo is a simple and notoriously common tattoo idea, it is not one to be underestimated. As you can see, there are diverse and unique star tattoo meanings, and you could choose one depending on your beliefs.
You could get a star tattoo that spans a chunk of your skin or one that is quite small and visible only when scrutinized, either way, a star tattoo is a stellar way to get inked!