Dagger tattoo designs are recurring themes that encompass many genres and culture imagery.  A knife or dagger can be tattooed as a singular object or incorporated in with other tattoo design.  Every culture throughout history has used daggers in its art.  They can symbolize death, rebirth, strength and power.  In some ancient cultures, such as the Aztecs, daggers represented the power of the Gods, and were used in sacrifices.

Dagger tattoo designs are not for everybody, as some people associate them with violence and negativity.  But that does not take away from their popularity.  They can represent the positive as well.  For instance, dagger tattoo designs are popular with soldiers.  While commonly not thought to be as sophisticated or noble as swords, daggers are still held in high regard nonetheless.

Daggers and knives also represent an assassin.  This is because they can be used to kill swiftly and silently.  They are not loud as guns, and unlike swords, can be thrown quite a distance.  Some people think of ninjas when they think of daggers and assassinations—silent, yet deadly.  When used as a close range weapon, daggers and knives can be savage and ferocious.

Keep in mind that dagger tattoo designs represent far more than violence.  They can also symbolize survival.  Without the blade, human beings would have never been able to hunt, skin or fashion shelter.  Indeed, knives have always been used as tools and cooking utensils.  They make up an important part of our history, and represent our survival and evolution over the ages.  Daggers that were used in ceremonial practices were usually beautifully crafted, and featured jewels and beads.  Today, many people still use this type of dagger, called an athame, for spiritual purposes.

As far as dagger tattoo designs go, their symbolism is expressed in the way they are drawn.  For instance, a dagger or knife design with dripping blood symbolizes a willingness to take action, and maybe even aggressiveness.  This image is intended to strike fear into the hearts of enemies.  A person with this tattoo is someone who does not like to be taken lightly.

A dagger going through a head was common for soldiers during World War II after the Pearl Harbor attack.  These days, those tattoos are considered to be racist, so if you want to get a dagger through a head tattoo design, make sure you do so in a modern context.

Dagger tattoo designs that feature a blade going through a skull symbolize death.  In some cultures, it is believed that having this tattoo will protect one from harm and death.  In some prisons, however, such a tattoo can represent a prisoner who has committed murder.

One of the most popular dagger tattoo designs feature hearts.  This can symbolize betrayal in love or a broken heart.  Sometimes people get this type of tattoo as a way to show cynicism toward romance.