While these symbols are too heavy for a casual observer, it’s easy to see why these symbols make popular, visually arresting tattoos.

4. Flamel Symbol

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The Flamel sacred symbol that Edward wears on his coat and Alphonse on has on his shoulder came from their teacher Izumi Curtis. The serpent’s cross is an old alchemical symbol which represents the removal of a volatile or poisonous element.

From a tattoo perspective they are less lore heavy than the blood rune, hexagram or ouroboros above and make a great symbol that anyone familiar with the manga can recognize and appreciate.

And, if you’re not sure about getting a real one, you can always try getting a Flamel temporary tattoo before going all the way with your ink!

5. Linework Tattoo Design Art 

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Some of these linework tattoos have been deployed more differently than the usual, heavier use of black outline. They go for a skinny, spare type of almost freehand linework that looks more like they’ve been etched with a ballpoint pen or biro, and I’m sure a few will have color or shade added to fill them out and finish them off.

Other more traditional linework tattoos show off sharply etched ink devoted to the transmutation circle, which is the magic circle needed to be able to use alchemy successfully. The clarity of these sharp lines looks excellent when delivered with such precise lines.

The one that most draws the is the red and black, thicker, more saturated black lined trash polka style piece. The brothers and Flamel symbol in flat black against the red blood runes and accompanying abstract patterns make an exceptionally fitting concept for a trash polka design.