Praying Hands Tattoo Ideas That Celebrate Faith

Praying hands tattoos have been popular for decades as they are powerful symbols of faith and devotion. For those who practice prayer, it can be a meditative and restorative activity. It is only natural that something so beautiful would inspire plenty of ink. In fact, praying hand tattoos are extremely popular for people of all faiths but particularly for practicing Catholics who typically get praying hands tattoos with rosaries.

We wanted to get a better understanding of the trends of the day when it comes to these tattoos so we turned to social media to discover the latest and greatest designs that people are really impressed with. We were pleasantly surprised to find plenty of variety among these classic tattoos. Below you will find both classic and updated designs for a good mix of possibilities. Now, go get some ink inspiration!

Discover the Right Praying Hands Tattoo for You Below:

Good Fortune

Let’s kick things off with a less conventional praying hands tattoo. We find the hands with diamonds and money as sort of a good fortune tattoo. It’s offbeat and unconventional but still a great tattoo.

Praying Hands with a Dove

Here’s a praying hands tattoo that sticks to the script more than the previous example. The design constitutes a half sleeve which is a bit of a commitment that will pay off if you decide to go in this direction.

Praying Hands Tattoo Sleeve

Here’s a proper sleeve that incorporates the rosary and a clock for even more depth and symbolic meaning. Your praying hands tattoo can tell a story if you design it properly.

Prayers from Captivity

Here’s an interesting concept that the person who shared it did not offer any clues to. Could this be about prayers in captivity? Or could it represent feelings of being trapped? It falls on the beholder to decide which makes it a provocative and exciting design.

With a Large Cross

Getting a praying hands tattoo with a large cross like this is a popular design scheme today. If that symbol is important to you, consider something similar.

Micro Hands

Micro tattoos are a huge trend today and we find one in the above example of a behind the ear tattoo. It’s an excellent spot for a praying hand tattoo if you’re bold enough.

Hidden Roses

Look closely at this praying hands tattoo and a surprise awaits you. The hands have been tattooed over an existing tattoo of roses. The floral shapes peek through which gives such a cool effect.

For Mom and Dad

A banner that says “Mom” and “Dad” is placed over this praying hands tattoo. This sort of tattoo works well for tributes to lost loved ones. Beneath the hands, you will see the word “Familia.” It’s a very common practice to incorporate the word “family” into these designs.

Photorealism

Can you say showstopper? This dramatic praying hands tattoo features hands that look as real as a picture. It’s one of the most impressive tattoos on this list.

With Roses

Floral elements are common among praying hands tattoos and you can add warmth and life with them. Pair your hands with your favorite flowers and you won’t regret it.

Darkness and Light

Beams of light are a pretty classic design element among praying hands tattoos. It is often a successful thing to add to these sorts of tattoos so feel free to get in on the trend.

Fine Lines

We know that very few people are looking for praying hands tattoos for the face but we wanted to point out the fine linework of this tattoo. Those lines that radiate from the hands look so smart.

With Bible Verses and Much More

We found so many different images that symbolize faith in this large tattoo that also includes Bible verses. You can mix and match like this for a really special and meaningful design.

For Family

Here’s another praying hands tattoo that incorporates “family” into the design. It’s a sort of tattoo on a tattoo in this design which is very sweet and fun.

RELATED: Cross Tattoos That Celebrate Faith and Devotion

Hands on Hands

This rather small tattoo has been skillfully applied. Those lines are so very clean. White ink for highlight adds dimension and a sort of immaculate quality to the design.

Getting Real with a Rosary

Here’s another tattoo that uses photorealism to tell its story. Find a tattoo artist that is skilled in this department and you will walk away with a haunting design that’s a real work of art.

Old School

Here’s a tattoo that uses plenty of traditional design elements. There’s a lot of black in this tattoo that makes it read as dramatic and bold.

Skeleton Praying Hands

Here’s an unconventional design that finds skeletal praying hands with a rosary. If you’re feeling a bit morbid, you could request something similar.

In God’s Hands

“In God’s Hands,” a banner reads over this praying hands tattoo. If you’ve got a message you’d like to get across, design a banner to tell your story.

Robotic

We don’t know what is going on in this design but it was so strange we felt the need to share it as it’s bound to appeal to someone. Lean into your weirder side and you can get yourself a singular design.

Manicured Praying Hands

Most praying hands tattoos have unisex or masculine hands. We find the old design made more feminine with the inclusion of hands that seem to belong to a female character.

Manicured Hands Part II

Here’s another example of feminine praying hands. A rose is held between the hands which offers some symbolism that makes the design very special.

Modest Praying Hands

Here’s a modestly sized praying hands tattoo that is encircled with a seemingly liquid halo of sorts. If you’d like a smaller tattoo, consider getting a circle around it for even more visual interest.

Minimalist Hands

Here’s one of the most basic praying hands tattoos we encountered. If you’d like to go understated and simple, it has its virtues.

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Classic

We leave you with a very classic design that incorporates many popular elements for praying hands tattoos. We get beams of light, clouds, a rosary, and a cross all in one design. The chest placement is very popular as well.

There you go! Do you know what type of praying hands tattoo you are going to get? We hope you found some ink inspiration on this list of praying hands tattoos and have a direction you’d like to go in for your next tattoo. There’s no right or wrong way to go about it. Just make sure that you are expressing your unique point of view to the fullest. If you’d like even more tattoo ideas outside of praying hands tattoos, keep reading as we have compiled a list of the most stunning cross tattoos for you.

Get Inspired by These Gorgeous Cross Tattoos!

Almost Abstract

Let’s kick things off with one of the most interesting cross tattoos on this list. We find a crucifix theme here but instead of a realistic approach, the artist has chosen an abstract one. It creates so much visual interest along with symbolism.

Ornamental

On the other end of the spectrum, you can request a more detailed, almost ornamental look. This handsome cross tattoo is expertly shaded and the addition of little dots around it look truly miraculous.

Minimalist

Now, we go to yet another end of the spectrum with this minimalist cross tattoo that’s composed of just two fine lines. If you’d like something understated but still powerfully resonant, consider something similar.

Intricate

Here’s another intricate example that’s scaled up in size to form a big portion of this person’s tattoo sleeve. For larger cross tattoos, you will need to consider placement more purposefully. The upper arms and legs as well as much of the torse are going to work best for designs this size.

With Wings

What a concept! A cross meets angel wings meets sword. This is one of the largest cross tattoos on the list. It goes down the spine which is the perfect spot for something like this.

Traditional

Hallmarks of traditional tattooing include bold shapes, thick lines, and primary-colored inks. If you have a passion for old-school tattooing, consider something similar for your cross tattoos.

Like Stone

Here’s an interesting concept with a lot of symbolism baked in. We find a cross that’s been tattooed to like as if it’s made of stone.

‘Painted’ On

Watercolor tattoos are one of the biggest tattoo trends today. Since the trend has become ubiquitous, artists have been experimenting with designs that look like paint. Here’s one that clearly shows off what look like brushstrokes.

Of Thorns

Here’s another one of the cross tattoos that is made to look like an unconventional material. Clearly, this holds symbolism to another aspect of Jesus’ crucifixion. The addition of butterflies near the cross help give the overall design a sense of hope.

With Flowers

Flower cross tattoos are very popular these days. We find big blooms on the shoulder in this example but there will be smaller examples as the list continues.

In Remembrance

Tribute tattoos are a popular way to honor a loved one’s memory. This one includes a message that says “RIP Pops.” It’s both sweet and remarkably handsome thanks to the ornate design of the cross.

Like Modern Art

This cross tattoo is reminiscent of modern art with simple lines and shapes. We imagine the likes of Mondrian and Kandinsky would approve of this clean design.

In a Band

Band tattoos that wrap around the arms or legs are wildly popular today. This person has combined a symbol of their faith inside one to great effect.

RELATED: 25 Biblical Tattoos for the Ever Faithful

Rose-Cross

As promised, here’s another one of the floral cross tattoos. This one is much smaller which might appeal to your nerves and your wallet. Delicate lines and shading make this tattoo a real standout.

Explore Color

The vast majority of cross tattoos are tattooed with just black ink but that’s not the only way you can go! Consider a colorful tattoo for a more vibrant tattoo that really pops.

With Angels

If you’re looking to make an investment, you can devise of a piece that covers the shoulders and upper back like this. It proves a beautiful spot for symbols of faith especially when they are careful placed together like this.

Nails

As with the thorn cross, this tattoo is made to nod at other elements of the crucifixion. Done in just black ink, this proves a meditative and powerful design.

With Christ’s Face

One of the most skillful cross tattoos on this list finds the face of Jesus emerging from a cross shape. Find yourself a talented artist with a point of view and you could walk away with something equally as breathtaking.

Rosary

Rosaries are popular among cross tattoos. Some have big crosses like this one while others mimic the size of rosaries used today. You’re the boss and you get to decide what best expresses your faith.

So Much Detail

The shape of the cross really accentuates the natural shape of the body when placed on the sternum or down the spine. In this beautiful tattoo, we find so much detail which can steal your attention for several minutes if you let it.

Gem Encrusted

Here’s one of the most singular cross tattoos on this list. It’s meant to look like a gem-encrusted cross but the tattoo artist has chosen to tattoo it in the negative which really looks excellent in this case.

Globus Cruciger 

The Globus Cruciger or “cross-bearing orb” is a symbol of Christ’s dominion over the world. The symbol has been in use since the Middle Ages. It makes for a very cool tattoo as you can see.

In a Word

Here’s a creative way to make a cross tattoo. “If you believe,” has been shaped in such a way to make it look like a cross. How smart is that? We imagine any number of short phrases can be transformed into the same.

Fine Antique Cross

The artist who shared this image explained that an antique cross was the inspiration behind the design. Take a look at all of the fine lines employed to give texture and create visual interest. What a stunner!

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Bejeweled

Here’s another cross tattoo that looks like it was based on a decorative cross or even a pendant in jewelry. Gold and gold look so evocative and stylish next to each other and make this tattoo really pop.

Did you discover some cross tattoos that you might want for yourself? If you feel inspired, consider working with an artist who can help you realize your vision. Having a one-of-a-kind tattoo is so special and we encourage you to dream up something new that only you’ll have.