If you would like an exotic tattoo with deep symbolism and a hidden meaning, then Arabic tattoos are probably what you are looking for.  They are often names, words or phrases that have been translated into Arabic.  The Arabic alphabet allows for endless possibilities, as it contains 28 letters, with each having up to four meanings depending on location within a word.  Many of the letters look the same at first glance, but they actually have a different number of dots above or below them.  Each form has a different amount of dots, giving it a different meaning than the other forms of the letter.

If this sounds confusing to you, you are not alone.  All you have to do is take a look at various images of Arabic tattoos on the internet.  You will be impressed with all the beautiful lettering and designs, even if you do not know what they mean.  There are also guides available that you can look over to get some idea of the meaning of the letters.  Obviously, this type of tattoo can be as unique as you want it to be.  You can translate a name, phrase, scripture, poem, etc.  Anything that has meaning to you can be translated into a beautiful, Arabic tattoo.

Sometimes the shapes of the letters can be changed in order to make the script look more elegant.  Because it is drawn in cursive, this script can appear to flow beautifully with lines and details.  Images can be incorporated with the writing, as well.  Some neat Arabic tattoos include hand of Fatima, lizard, queen, swords and stars. Along with flowing script, these symbols make beautiful designs.  The hand of Fatima is especially popular, and can even be seem throughout the fashion world.  It’s It is usually featured either as an eye in the center of the palm or as a five -fingered hand.

Be sure to do your research on Arabic tattoos before settling on one.  Keep in mind that the alphabet is written from right to left, and that the distinct letter shapes may vary slightly depending on the translation.  There are also different types of traditional Arabic scripts, including calligraphy from the 7^th century, Naskh, Deewani, Kufi, Thuluth, and Req’aa.  Obviously, your best bet is to consult with a few experts on the matter before making your decision.  You also need to confirm with a few different sources that your translation is correct.

Make sure you choose a tattoo artist who has experience with Arabic tattoo designs.  Whether you want to try to design your own Arabic tattoo or print one that you like off the internet, make sure you know what it truly stands for and that it is translated correctly.  This type of tattoo is not complete unless it is drawn beautifully and has a deep, meaningful (and correct) translation!

Where to go from here:

• Arabic Tattoo Writing – Lettering Tattoos
• Choosing an Armband Tattoo