A mountain tattoo meaning can represent a number of things: a traveler, a dreamer, an adventurous spirit, a deeply religious spirit, or even a person that simply enjoys nature so much they display it on their skin. If you are considering a mountain tattoo, keep reading to learn about the most common meanings and for inspiration about mountain tattoo designs.
Mountain Tattoo Meaning
Mountains symbolize adventure, enduring strength, and resilience — mountain tattoos are often used to express these same concepts. These could be qualities someone wants to have one day, or they may already have these qualities and want to be reminded of how they stood the test of time through a difficult time in their life.
A mountain tattoo can also be worn by someone who is a nature lover, or someone that simply enjoys the outdoors and the sense of spontaneity that comes with life when you are outdoors a lot. This kind of tattoo is a favorite of people who enjoy the outdoors and you often see other elements of nature as part of their mountain tattoos.
Mountains have a spiritual symbolism attached to them. In Christianity, certain mountains were holy places where God made contact with people. Even today certain mountains are worshipped (Mount Everest, Mount Olympus, and Mount Fuji, just to name a few). The peak of a mountain is a representation for achieving a state of absolute consciousness and awareness.
Actually climbing a mountain or accomplishing a “Mount Everest-like” moment in your life is a deeply spiritual experience for many and could behind a mountain tattoo meaning.. If you are considering a tattoo to commemorate a significant event in your life, a mountain tattoo might be the right choice for you.
The symbolism used with a mountain tattoo will give more depth to the meaning for the individual. Misty or foggy clouds around the mountain say one thing about the mountain tattoo meaning, while rainbows or the sun will say another. There are many creative variations of mountain tattoos.
Mountain Tattoo Variations
There are many variations to the mountain tattoo, and most of the time they have a nature theme to them. The details are what create a specific sense of mood and feeling for any tattoo.
A mountain tattoo with a wolf or another predator carries a different message than mountains shown with birds, for instance. The former image sets a tone of danger, possibly even a warning for people to take note of. The latter has a peaceful, even spiritual, mood.
There are also other tattoo symbols that can be connected to mountain tattoos that have nothing to do with nature at all. Traditional tattoo symbols such as spades, skulls, blood, hearts, and scrolls can still be included into a mountain tattoo to send their own unique message.
Another common variation of the mountain tattoo is to have a famous mountain inked onto the body. Here you might see a mountain tattoo meaning that inspires the person wearing it. Mount Fuji in Japan for example, or Mount Everest, are common mountain tattoos for those considering this kind of tattoo.
Mountain Tattoo Styles
There are many different styles of tattoos, with some styles suiting some tattoos better than others. The most common styles of tattoo for mountain tattoos are blackwork, watercolor, and realism.
Blackwork is a kind of tattoo that is very straightforward, and uses exclusively black ink. You could have a mountain tattoo that is inked on in just a few lines, with a few points as the mountains, and a few lines of nature worked into the art. Or you could have a mountain range with an entire forest around it in blackwork that may take several hours to complete.
Realism tattoos are inspired by the 1850s French realism art movement. Done well, the tattoo image will be nearly photographic quality. This kind of tattoo takes much more time, with layers of inking and gradients with the design, and is a more costly tattoo. With the right artist, the end result will be worth the investment.
Watercolor styles of mountain tattoos take on the form of watercolor paintings. There are fewer black borders and background. You may see the sun, blue skies, flowers, meadows, or bright and vibrant birds blending together with the mountains. The mood of watercolor tattoos is typically happier and sets a more positive tone than other styles of mountain tattoos.
Mountain Tattoo Considerations
Like most tattoo symbols, when your pair mountain tattoos with negative symbols or energy, it creates a darker meaning behind the tattoo. A mountain tattoo on its own doesn’t have the same kind of considerations that some others do, such as a hidden meaning known by only certain groups or cultures that you need to be aware of.
Mountain Tattoo Placement
The placement of mountain tattoos is the choice of the individual who is wearing it, and the size will determine the placement for you. Larger mountain tattoos are done along the back, but many people get them as sleeves as well as doing up a large mountain range to convey significant moments in their lives.
Smaller dime-sized mountain tattoos can be seen on the fingers, the wrists, or even the back of the head or neck. A mountain on the shoulder tells a very interesting story as well, and can be as small or as large as you want it to be.
Mountain Tattoo Examples
There are as many different variations and styles of mountain tattoos, as there are of mountains themselves. You could get something simple in blackwork in a traditional design. Here are just a few images that could easily be used for mountain tattoo designs or that will inspire your own creative mountain tattoo ideas.
Black Ink Images
Example 1: This is a simplified mountain scene that would make an attractive mountain tattoo
Example 2: This is an image that would do well as a template for a mountain tattoo done in a realism style.
Example 3: The moon and stars indicate that this is a nighttime mountain scene.
Example 4: The geometric border this mountain image creates an edgy mood
Example 5: Even in black ink, the details of the sun rays set a happy, energetic tone for this image of a mountain scene.
Example 6: Another nighttime mountain scene — the softened mountain peaks give the image a peaceful, tranquil feel.
Example 7: This image has a strong sense of adventure and freedom with the soaring eagle and the perspective of the mountains in view ahead while riding a motorcycle.
Example 8: Another nighttime mountain scene with a river running through it.
Example 9: Arrows are a common detail added to mountain tattoo designs.
Example 10: A nature scene in which mountains are a prominent feature.
Example 11: This image of a mountain being held in a hand, along with the celestial elements, has a strong spiritual message to it.
Example 12: This mountain scene is created in very simple lines, but it’s very clear what this image is.
Color Mountain Images
Example 1: This image is created using basic colored lines and minimal shading, but it’s easy to identify this as a mountain scene.
Example 2: This colored image of a mountain is reminiscent of Japanese art.
Example 3: Any of these images of mountains would make beautiful watercolor-style tattoos.
Example 4: These mountains are created in gorgeous muted colors.
Example 5: The black ink mountains against a watercolor sky make an interesting juxtaposition of art styles.
Example 6: Any of these mountains would be a stunning watercolor tattoo design.
Example 7: This image looks like it could be an illustration from a work by Tolkien.
Final Words On Mountain Tattoos
A mountain tattoo meaning can express strength, resilience, adventure, freedom, but also spirituality or a love of nature. Whether you are getting a small mountain etched in a few lines on your shoulder, or an entire Everest on your whole back doesn’t matter. The message comes through regardless of the size of the tattoo.
If the messages that a mountain tattoo expresses apply to you, then this might be the right choice for your next (or even, first) tattoo. Have a discussion with your selected tattoo artist to design just the right mountain tattoo design.
Have you ever wondered what other tattoos mean? If so, click here to read other articles in our Tattoo Meanings series.
