25 Captivating Sacred Heart Tattoos From Traditional to Newer Interpretations

The Sacred Heart, also referred to as the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in Roman Catholicism, is the mystical-physical heart of Jesus and an object of devotion, according to Britannica. In addition to a feast day (mostly observed on June 16), the Friday of the third week after Pentecost, devotional acts include the consecration and honor given to the image of the Sacred Heart. Because this symbol holds so much meaning for the faithful, they are extremely popular tattoos.

Sacred Heart tattoos can be more traditional, echoing the imagery from paintings. The notion of the Sacred Heart is not mentioned in the Bible. It originated in medieval times from a variety of Catholic mystics. Since then, the image has been applied to countless depictions of Jesus Christ. Sacred Heart tattoos not only celebrate faith, but they also celebrate art history. We wanted to round up some amazing Sacred Heart tattoos for you to see just how varied these designs can be. From traditional to totally singular and new, we’ve got some awesome tattoos to share with you. Take a look!

Somewhat Traditional

The imagery found in Sacred Heart tattoos is often mixed or conflated with the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In the above tattoo, we find a mix of imagery. Each piece is rather traditional but the combination of the two designs makes it feel unique.

A Fresh Take

Here is a Sacred Heart tattoo that is anything but traditional. Sure, we find some imagery that should be familiar, but the “fill” inside the heart is something completely unique. We find a swirling sort of liquid contents inside. Feel free to think outside of the box and to work with your tattoo artist to help you realize your unique vision.

Two Swords

Take a close look at all of the tiny dots that have been used to give this Sacred Heart tattoo its dimension. We find two swords piercing the heart which could hold meaningful significance for the person with this design.

Heart of Glass

This person went totally decorative with their Sacred Heart tattoo. In fact, it really strayed from its origins. The artist who shared the image described it as a Sacred Heart tattoo so while that might not be completely apparent to you, it is what this person intended.

That Good Placement

Sacred Heart tattoos can be found all over folks. There is no right or wrong placement for these tattoos but we are fond of them on the chest, over the heart. Here we find a handsome, almost bejeweled Sacred Heart flanked by gorgeous florals. It looks fantastic, right?

Dark and Moody

In its truest form, the Sacred Heart design includes a crown of thorns wrapped around the heart. We find that to also be the case for this tattoo in which the artist has liberally applied black ink. It’s dark and moody and full of drama.

Singular Style

Here, we find another bold entry among these Sacred Heart tattoos. There is just so much shading here that allows for a real pop for those flowers that sit over the top of the heart. This one reads as both traditional and new at the same time which is a great balancing act.

Texture for the Win

Here is yet another Sacred Heart tattoo with shading that is remarkable. Take a look at those flames and thorns and how realistic they appear. Expert shading has resulted in a tattoo that truly delivers.

Living for the Contrast

As you have seen, black and grey Sacred Heart tattoos are the most popular. However, you do not have to go in that direction if you’re not afraid of color. Here we find gold and orange contrasting with a deep, dark blue. If you are unsure about color choice, first, speak to your artist. Second, think of colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel to discover colors that bounce off each other well.

Radiating

This is not the first Sacred Heart tattoo to feature radiating lines around the central subject. However, these are some of the most interesting and dramatic. They really help this design to make an ethereal statement.

Wink

A recurring theme we discovered among Sacred Heart tattoos today is the inclusion of an eye inside the heart. Instead of a wound or flowers or thorns, this one features a curious-looking eye. Warm and cool colors play together well in this harmonious yet mysterious design.

Simplicity Is Bliss

While you might not expect a minimalist aesthetic to work for a Sacred Heart tattoo, it can be done. In the above example, we find bold shapes and thick lines over tons of intricate shading or fine line work. These features make this design one of the most unique on this list.

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Make It Your Own

We’re getting to the point in this list where we share some of the more peculiar Sacred Heart tattoos. We use the word peculiar in a positive way as the weirder most tattoos are the better they end up being. This one is no exception with its polka dot “fill.” There is a flower with an eye in it as well and a heart-themed border. It’s very colorful and offbeat. What do you think of it?

Big Red

We count seven swords inside of this Sacred Heart tattoo. This tattoo is freshly completed so know that the pale blue of the roses will not read as pink. That area just needs time to heal for the colors to come across correctly. Red always makes a statement so consider going with it if you want a design that sings.

Adorned with Snakes

Here’s another unusual Sacred Heart tattoo that finds the heart with a crying eye, two snakes, and little daggers underneath. Snakes are not usually found in these designs but you can go your own way and include them if you think it’s a winner.

Pink Roses

We really do enjoy the Sacred Heart tattoos that look as if they’ve been constructed from gems and metals like a piece of jewelry. This design brings that energy but the inclusion of pink roses helps to soften the overall look.

Weeping

One of our favorite Sacred Heart tattoos ever, This design finds an eye with a tear so expertly tattooed inside a thick heart-shaped frame. We get the radiating lines that are common with these tattoos but instead of a classic flame coming from the top, we find a dreamier, almost smoke-like interpretation. Bravo!

Experiment with Color

Get weird with your color choices and you will walk away with a tattoo that looks completely unique and true to your tastes. Plum, gold, and brown are not colors we typically find for Sacred Heart tattoos but these colors clearly work well together. Try pairing unconventional colors for something similar.

A Neo-Traditional Masterpiece

There are pieces of this tattoo that echo the traditional tattoo aesthetic but it also feels completely reenergized thanks to all of the detail and movement the artist has achieved. A softer set of colors helps make this design look much lighter and brighter than most of the designs on this list. This one is truly something special.

Shades of Grey

On the other hand, you can go in a monochromatic direction that has its own virtues. Similar to the tattoo at the start of the list with the swirling interior, this Sacred Heart design finds bands of color smoothly moving together in a culmination of the flame at the top and the droplet shapes at the bottom of the design.

An Explosion of Color

People usually choose a watercolor tattoo for lighter subject matter. We cannot tell you the number of Disney-inspired watercolor tattoos we have seen over the years. For this person, it was the right move. They went bold and big with their color choices and the style of design. It really does look like a magical watercolor painting.

Tears

While eyes are mildly popular inside Sacred Heart tattoos, faces are rare. That does not mean they are not out there! This very strange, double face with four eyes and two sets of lips really went there. Walk down a path less traveled for tattoos that buck tradition and express your point of view.

Make It Your Vibe

Here is one of the most playful Sacred Heart tattoos on this list which may or may not appeal to you. There’s something childlike about this one with its cartoonish heart face and the funky flame on top. Your tattoo is for you and you alone so it’s totally up to you if you wish to get a little weird with it.

Black and Red

A big bold red paired with some pitch black is a match made in tattoo heaven. There’s no other color combination that pops like this one. The artist has created a unique take on the Sacred Heart tattoo with the sword or dagger going through the top of the heart, engulfed in flame. We think it looks fantastic!

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Rainbow Faded

Color is the name of the game in this tidy Sacred Heart tattoo that skips the wound and sword imagery and includes a rose inside the heart shape instead. The artist has included white ink over the pink center which makes it look as though light is being reflected off of the heart. We think it’s totally majestic and captivating.

If you liked these Sacred Heart tattoos, keep on reading. We’ve got even more ink to share with you. We rounded up a list of praying hand tattoos for you to also peruse. These symbols come in many different shapes and sizes. They also range from traditional to fresher concepts. Enjoy!

Praying Hands Tattoos Are Also Great Symbols of Devotion. Check Them Out!

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.

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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.