The arrow is a symbolic tattoo choice, such as a protective solitary shaft, or pair of arrows that may delineate war, peace, or friendship depending on the way you ascribe it.

Single arrow tattoos, doubles, triples, whole quiver ink, or imagery accompanying them can change the meaning based on angle, direction, body placement, or whether they’ve been etched alongside a bow or other items.

The vast array of symbolic meanings can further adapt your arrow tattoo to your own personal beliefs, life experiences, and personality traits, which makes them one of the 50+ best tattoo ideas.

Additionally, the simplicity of the arrow design means that it usually does not require a lot of time to finish, giving newbies or the cost-conscious a taste of the tattoo experience without being overwhelming.

The following article establishes the range and depth of arrow tattoo meanings and will give you possible options for future choices you can take to your tattoo artist.

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Traditional Symbolism in Arrow Tattoo Design

Arrow tattoos are among the most timeless personal symbols, making them a classic tattoo design, engineered to show off your flair and personality.

The symbolic meaning of an arrow tattoo depends largely on the number of arrows involved and the way they are positioned.

1. Single Arrow Tattoo Variations

Some common representations of the single arrow tattoo design include love, direction, power, physical strength, and masculinity. 

An arrow pointing down means peace, while one facing left or right can ward off evil or act as protection.

An arrow pointing straight up leads to more spiritual interpretations, while for some the feathers in an arrow are an empyrean representation of souls on the path to heaven, and are etched as a memorial to someone close who has passed away.