Choosing a tattoo is indeed a very important decision and often a very tricky one. While some people already know what they want to get tattooed on, others take longer to decide. After all, there are so many options to choose from.
On the one hand, there are drawings and symbols to go for, symbols that could be related to your life, your favorite books or movies, or even something in relation to your loved ones. On the other hand, there are also languages and inscriptions you can opt for as your tattoo.
These inscriptions look extremely intricate and stunning on anyone who gets them. Among the many languages that make for gorgeous tattoos, Hindi is definitely a popular pick among people all over the world.
Hindi tattoos or Sanskrit tattoos have been a common choice among tattoo lovers for generations now. Even celebrities belonging to different genres and art forms seem to love them.
Some of the celebs who proudly flaunt their Sanskrit and Hindi tattoos: Rihanna, David Beckham, Angelina Jolie, Vanessa Hudgens, Russell Brand, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Tommy Lee, Brittany Snow, Jessica Alba, Alyssa Milano, Kimberly Wyatt, Gillian Anderson, Adam Levine, and Theo Walcott. From this long list of popular names, it’s evident that everyone loves Hindi tattoos.
There is a wide array of options of Hindi tattoos one can choose from. Be it one-word tattoos with strong meanings, names, chants, or anything else you’d like to get, Sanskrit and Hindi tattoos are a whole world of an eclectic variety.
If you’re looking for Hindi tattoos to get on your hand, you have come to the right place. We’re here to take you through the history of tattoos in India, along with some of the best Hindi tattoos you can draw inspiration from.
India And Its Tattoo Tradition: A Story
Ever since ancient times, India has had a deep tradition with tattoos. People all over India get tattoos that signify their ethnicities, beliefs, and so on. Different tribes have their own pigments, methods, and ingredients to create a tattoo.
The Santhals, which is a tribe belonging to Jharkhand and Bengal, have different tattoos that they get on different body parts during different stages of their lives. The men of this tribe often get a coin-shaped tattoo on their forearm, along with getting inked on their wrists, the total number of which is always an odd one.
The women of this tribe get their faces tattooed with flowers, which signifies the strength needed to go through life.
In South India’s Toda Tribe, ‘pachakutharathu’ is the name given to tattoos that last for a long period of time. In 1980, these were very common, especially in Tamil Nadu. The Korathi tattoo artists traveled far and wide along the country looking for clients. Among the people of this tribe is a famous tattoo known as ‘kollam,’ an intricate design that is known to trap evil beings and keep the individual safe from harmful spirits.
The people of this tribe get tattoos on their calves, hands, and shins containing geometric outlines. A tribe in Bihar known as the Dhanuks, too, has a rich history and tradition related to tattoos. The women of this tribe get tattoos to protect themselves from vicious eyes.
The Ramnaamis are a community spread across the Indian states of Madhya Pradesh and Bihar and are very devoted towards their tattoos. In order to protect themselves from harm, they started tattooing the word ‘Ram’ repeatedly on their body, attempting to cover pretty much every inch of their skin.
It was in the 19th century during the Hindu reformist movement that this movement was initiated by this community. This tradition, which is almost 1500 years old now, is still followed by the Ramnaamis to this day.
Hinduism, too, has many deep and meaningful tattoos associated with itself, adding to the tradition of Hindi tattoos in India. People from different countries, backgrounds, and journeys have been resorting to these metaphorical tattoos for years now. Many of them are attached to Gods and Goddesses, including that of Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Lord Krishna, Goddess Kali, and so on. This is also the reason why ‘Om’ is such a popular Hindi tattoo, even among celebrities.
Kutch’s Rabari tribe is a community that has detailed and intricate tattoo patterns, especially on the women. The region is popular due to mythology as well, since it is one of the areas where the Pandavas (from the Mahabharata) were exiled to.
The tribal women of the Rabari community have tattoos known as ‘trajva’, which is a symbol of great strength.
The womenfolk of this community are often seen covered in tattoos. They resort to symbols such as snakes and scorpions on different parts of their body, including their necks, throats, forearms, and faces. The men, on the other hand, can be seen with tattoos of camels done on the back of their right palms.
Phrases as Hindi Tattoos
Before getting into the Hindi tattoos that you can go for, let’s look at some of the phrases that are often looked at as options by many around the world:
Live and Die Without Regret: Live and Die Without Regret is a phrase that conveys living life to the fullest with absolutely zero regrets. It inspires people to take chances, take risks, and seize the day and opportunity that you may have been hovering over for quite a while now. It’s something you can look back at years later and remember that you took chances no matter what.
Never Broken: Never Broken is a supremely motivating and inspirational Hindi tattoo you can go for. It signifies that no matter how many struggles you have been through or how much life has tried to bring you down, you have always managed to get back up and stay strong and move on. It is a symbolism of strength, perseverance, and self-dependence.
God is Watching My Back: The Hindi tattoo of God is Watching My Back is for spiritually inclined people. This can indeed provide a great sense of calm and relief in tense situations. If you’re ever going through rough times, you can derive strength by taking a look at this tattoo. It’s almost like having a guardian angel by your side always.
Hindi Tattoo Designs to Take Inspiration From
Looking for beautiful Hindi tattoos and Sanskrit tattoos you can get on your hand? We have got you covered. Here are some great options for all the tattoo lovers out there:
1. Maa Tattoo
The Hindi word ‘maa,’ which translates to ‘mother,’ is a wonderful Hindi tattoo to get on your hand. Your mother is sure to adore this gesture from your end. You can get it on your wrist, palm, or arm, depending on the size you’re going for.
2. Peace Tattoo
The Hindi tattoo that means ‘peace’ is written as ‘shanti.’ This can either be written as a single word or even a chant repeated thrice. It can be done on your wrist or even your arm.
3. Hope Tattoo
What’s life without hope, right? So, why not get a Hindi tattoo that says ‘hope’? With the word being ‘asha,’ it is sure to look very delicate and pretty on your hand.
4. Om Tattoo
The Hindi tattoo of ‘Om’ is quite a famous one. Known as the battle cry of Lord Shiva, you will find the Om tattoo on many people, as it brings them calmness, peace, and hope. The Om tattoo can be drawn along with other designs as well. While some surround it with other chants, such as the Gayatri Mantra, others draw symbols around it, such as flames, to represent the power and positivity of the sun.
5. Name Tattoo
When getting a Hindi tattoo, you can also get a name tattooed on your hand. This could be your mother’s name, your father’s name, or the name of a loved one. Some even choose to get the name of their partners tattooed on themselves to have this beautiful reminder of their love for themselves forever.
6. Gayatri Mantra Tattoo
The Gayatri Mantra tattoo is one of the most popular Hindi tattoos people choose to get on themselves. People with strong spiritual beliefs tend to gravitate toward this design. It brings them a lot of hope and peace and connects them deeper to their spirituality.
7. Om Namah Shivay Tattoo
Devotees of Lord Shiva often choose to get “Om Namah Shivay” tattooed on their arms or wrist. Not only does it look beautiful, but it also makes them feel more connected to their spiritual beliefs.
8. Anand Tattoo
The word ‘anand’ in Hindi translates to ‘happiness.’ There are many Hindi tattoos that signify happiness that you can opt for, and they look really sleek and delicate on your wrist or arm.
9. Imagination/Kalpana Tattoo
‘Kalpana,’ which translates to ‘imagination,’ is a great Hindi tattoo to get, especially for those who have a vivid imagination that brings them great joy.
10. Satyam Shivam Sundaram Tattoo
The Satyam Shivam Sundaram tattoo has gained a lot of popularity over the years. People of diverse age groups like to get this tattoo as it symbolizes love, power, peace, devotion, and sacrifice.
11. Trishul With Shloka Tattoo
The Trishul is a crucial element for all the devotees of Lord Shiva. It is for this very reason that many people who get Hindi tattoos get a Trishul drawn on their arm with Shlokas surrounding the Trishul.
12. Music Tattoo
Are you a lover of music? Then you can get the chants of classical music in the form of a Hindi tattoo.
13. Hare Rama Hare Krishna Tattoo
Hare Rama Hare Krishna is a famous Sanskrit Shloka that many people choose to get tattooed on their arm or forearm. You can also combine this Shloka with a lotus, as the latter symbolizes eternity, love, and peace when combined with Hare Rama Hare Krishna.
14. Namaste Tattoo
The word ‘namaste’ is known to everyone, whether they know Hindi or not. A word that has become a common way to greet people, it also makes for a very popular Hindi tattoo.
15. Karma Tattoo
Anyone who believes in fate and karma can get this Hindi tattoo. It reiterates someone’s belief that your actions have consequences and that if your actions are good and positive, then they will bring about good things in your life as well.
Such a tattoo serves as a very wise reminder that no matter how someone is behaving with you, it is always better to be the bigger person.
Conclusion
Hindi tattoos have been prevalent for years now, and lately, they have been gaining even more popularity. People of different backgrounds and nationalities have been going for them due to the deep meanings associated with such tattoos.
So, if you’re planning to get a Hindi tattoo on your hand, go through this article and take your pick from the multiple options available.
By
