A plain dagger tattoo can show sacrifice, bravery, and loyalty, or be used to symbolize fighting, danger, fear, and ferocity.

When paired with a heart, rose, or skull, dagger tattoo designs often symbolize a range of meanings, from the duality of good and evil, the inevitability of death, lost love, or a romantic betrayal.

A dagger is the world’s oldest personal weapon. It both protects and provides and creates a level of intimacy you don’t find with other weapons such as the gun or bow.

It’s both a tremendously vital old-school tattoo symbol, yet also one that connects with contemporary mainstream tattoo collectors looking for an image-laden with deep symbolic meaning.

The following story details some of the important nuances that a dagger tattoo may possess and can help you and your tattoo artist determine the correct piece for you. 

Classical Dagger Symbolism in Tattoo Art

Dagger tattoo art is often used to symbolize fighting, danger, fear, and ferocity because the real thing is used in close hand-to-hand combat. 

There’s no distance you can put between yourself and what’s coming up against your blade, which also makes for an arresting tattoo design concept, especially when paired with other meaningful concepts.

1. Simple Dagger Tattoo Meaning

A simple dagger tattoo that is done without any other accompanying symbols can show sacrifice, bravery, and loyalty.

A dagger tattoo can often signify bravery or survivalism, but a different meaning suggests deception, betrayal, and treachery.

The dagger is also a popular tattoo when combined with other symbols, so its meaning can often vary into subtle variations, particularly in old-school body art depictions. 

A serpent wrapped around a dagger once signified the presence of Mercury, god of travel and communication, as well as the protector of thieves and tricksters, while it’s also linked to health and medicine in Greek mythology.