While it’s true the praying hands design holds significant meaning in most religious groups today, you might be surprised to know it actually means thank you in Japanese culture.

The iconic design has even been depicted by the German print-maker, Albrecht Durer in c. 1508. If you were to visit the Albertina museum in Vienna Austria, you could still see it today.

Now, while this style may be highly popular alongside things like Bible quotes, angels, crosses, or rosary beads, there’s more to it than just a purely religious meaning for some gentlemen.

The truth is, when two hands come together it is a symbol of a quiet physical body. In other words, by putting your hands together you are silencing your mind, hands, and physical body all at once for absolute peace and reflection.

For other men, it’s simply a way to honor and remember a lost family member, friend or relative. It can serve as a small reminder to hang onto hope and raise ourselves up during dark times of sorrow too.

Regardless of how you interrupt the meaning, surely you’ll enjoy these 70 praying hands tattoos for men. In this collection I’ve included everything from small, simple pieces of art to colossal body ink for plenty of masculine inspiration and ideas.

Praying Hands Tattoo Ideas

This realistic praying hands tattoo is an amazing art work in it’s own right that doubles as premier cover up for an old, ineffective tribal piece. The lines and wrinkles etched into the aged hands complement the stylish rosary and cleanly defined pocket watch. The use of black fuzz and solar system are effective fill effects allowing the new image to take on a stronger size and shape while completely eradicating any trace of the old ink.  

A cool praying hands piece in black and gray. It uses darker shade work, but the outlines are thicker and more pronounced to mesh well with this effect. The artist’s use of negative space within the old school cross works well in opposition to the dark focal point.