The circle is a fundamental shape in nature and an integral design aspect of many tattoos. 

A circle can carry symbolic meaning, such as the cycle of life, perfection, ouroboros, mandala, or enso. However, the circle can also be an aesthetic or geometric tattoo design choice used to create a simple piece of body art or help in the wider design of a large-scale concept.

The circle is such an intrinsic shape to wider design in nature, spirituality, religion, and art that it creates almost unlimited opportunities for creating beautiful and meaningful tattoos.

In tattoo, tribal, and religious subcultures all over the world the circle plays a part. The following article explores circle tattoo meaning and technical application in order to provide you with knowledge and inspiration to put into your own design concept.

1. Simple Circle Tattoo Symbolism

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Sometimes the simplest designs carry the deepest meanings. The circle, even in small tattoo form, has held a powerful place in ancient imagery as a symbol of completion, the cycle of life, and for some, the idea of perfection

For many cultures, the simple black circle tattoo is a gentle reminder that you can trust in a cycle, that there is the start, finish, and end, and that many things come back to the same point at the end. 

The simple circle tattoo symbol is just that: a decisive small tattoo circle of one’s acceptance that there are greater forces in the world compelling us, that often when we start a point we’ll move through life to come back to it; depending on one’s outlook and approach to life the experiences within the circle can be a constant struggle or smooth sailing. 

2. Armband Tattoo Meaning

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The solid armband tattoo style traditionally pays tribute to a lost loved one, in the same vein that black armbands are worn by athletes memorializing the death of a club great or personally important figure.