50 Traditional Heart Tattoo Designs for Men

The heart shape is one of the most versatile symbols when creating traditional tattoos. One of the most classic tattoos is a heart tattoo with a banner over it that says “mom” to depict a man’s devotion to his mother.

Modern variations of the best heart tattoo ideas may include the name of another loved one, favorite location, or other type of love.

Almost all traditional heart tattoos are either black and grey or black and red. Due to the symbolic nature of this shape, it is often used as a frame around another tattoo to show a person’s deep love for the item.

Of course a heart typically symbolizes romance, but its meaning may change when it is combined with the other common elements of traditional tattoos. For example, a dagger and a heart symbolizes betrayal, while a bird and a heart normally is a symbol of hope. Combining a dagger with a heart emphasizes how steadfast love can be, and adding flames around a heart shows a more passionate type of love. All of the possible combinations allow endless versatility when adding a heart tattoo to your body.