51 Ankh Tattoo Designs for Men
For a dashing blend of occult flavor and historical charm, guys are enjoying the exhilarating magic of Ankh tattoos. This holy hieroglyph imparts intense value and significance.
Egyptian flair reaches its zenith with an Ankh tattoo.
This immortal insignia was the symbol for life in mankind’s first written language. It actually transcends any specific culture, and archaeologists have uncovered this mysterious icon in Persia and Mesopotamia. In this sense, it is a sentimental representation of humanity’s origins at large.
The modified cross displayed in an Ankh tattoo is also wondrous for Gnostic Christians. Spiritual mentalities are conveyed by this glorious symbol. It subtracts the scenery of crucifixion from an otherwise peaceful lettering combination. This allows Ankh tattoos to demonstrate worship without any judgmental attitudes.
To be a phenomenal pharaoh of fashion, you need to add an Ankh tattoo to your repertoire. These logos can be included practically anywhere. Of course, the most striking position is centered directly on the chest.
If you want to see these bold illustrations in action, then you have shown up at the right destination, because our Ankh tattoo archive is bound to facilitate a massive upgrade to your inking style! You will go from denial to the Nile in mere moments.
1. Fine Black Line Ankh Tattoos
There are dozens of established styles and traditions in the world of tattoos, from the American traditional pieces that brought the art to the West, to the full color, photo-realistic designs that are stunning for their vibrancy and level of detail. There is a style for everyone. One style that is popular thanks to the subtle elegance it creates, uses fine lines and black ink to apply this ancient Egyptian symbol.
This style is also popular thanks to the different effects that can be created with fine line work: from simple designs, to elaborate work that is more ornate, fine lines can make it happen.
2. Innovative Ankh Tattoos
These clean, matching black and gray tattoos use precise application and a well planned composition to perfectly create stylized versions of two of Egypt’s most powerful gods: Horus with a hawk’s head, and Sekhmet, portrayed with a lion’s head.
As time goes on fads come and go, in art, fashion and music, and this is just as true of tattoos. This is the beauty of the medium; talented artists are always pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable and what is possible and the masses are the ones that decide what gets incorporated into the new trends.
This is how art evolves, and the development of tattoos over the years provides a great example of this ever-changing nature: if the artists tattooing sailors in the 1950’s could see the level of skill and artistry that is displayed by the artists today they wouldn’t believe their eyes. There is no sign of this innovation slowing down either, with more artists dedicating more time to mastering this ancient art form.
3. Stone Effect Egyptian Tattoos
Through expert application of ink and with a well thought out strategy, a talented artist can create the effect of different textures on the skin, adding depth and making for more interesting tattoos. One of these effects is the impression of stone on the wearer’s body, with words and images “chiseled” out of the surface.
This technique is especially appropriate for these ancient Egyptian tattoos thanks to the imagery of dark stone corridors and hieroglyphs etched into walls that are so popular in television and movies depictions of this ancient culture.
These Ankh tattoos look like they could have come straight from some Egyptian crypt, complete with scarabs and mummies.
4. Dotwork Ankh Tattoos
Another stylistic trend that has continued to gain momentum in the tattoo world is the use of dots as a way to apply ink and create striking pieces. This technique is interesting in the way it differs from more traditional shading methods, allowing the artist to create an effect that is reminiscent of the lithograph art from the past.
This stipple work is also notable for the effect of texture that can be created by varying the density and application of the dots and creating more dynamic tattoos. When applied to these Ankh tattoos, this interesting style is able to shine, creating tattoos that have a classic sensibility while maintaining a unique quality that sets them apart from more traditional approaches.
5. Incorporated Ankh Tattoos
In this excellent piece, the artist takes an approach that is reminiscent of American traditional work thanks to the clean lines, while the stipple work and alternating patterns in this scarab tattoo set it apart from other pieces that draw inspiration from ancient Egypt.
Tattoos are deeply personal, letting individuals take different elements from art, music and life in general, to create unique designs that represent them in profound ways. Thanks to this “anything goes” attitude, the sky is the limit when it comes to what can be incorporated into a tattoo.
As we have seen, the Ankh is the perfect starting point for tattoos because there is such a wealth of iconic imagery and designs from the Egyptian tradition to draw on. Scarabs, Sphinx, pyramids and mummies: these are all dramatic elements that can be utilized to make a more interesting and meaningful tattoo.
6. Black and Gray Ankh Tattoos
This is a stunning ancient Egypt tattoo that is notable for the variations in texture that the artist is capable of achieving: the whip shading used to create the feathers in the wings is smooth and consistent, while the black and gray shading in the Eye of Horus and Ankh perfectly creates the effect of stone on the wearer’s body.
Of all the styles and tattoo traditions around today, black and gray work makes for some of the most elegant and classic tattoos. This tradition goes back about as far as tattoos themselves, although the degree of skill and creativity that is on display in these timeless pieces has increased dramatically in the last ten years.
This level of detail and precision take these tattoos to the next level. The Ankh is an excellent subject for this style of work; the elegant simplicity of this ancient symbol is mirrored perfectly in the simplified color scheme (or lack thereof) in these sophisticated tattoos.
7. Neo Traditional Ankh Tattoos
This is an incredible neo-traditional tattoo that uses the bold lines from the American traditional school, and adds vibrant colors and a realistic interpretation of the Eye of Horus to create a color tattoo that is sure to turn heads and demonstrate the wearer’s love of all things Egypt.
The neo-traditional school of tattooing is an interesting development in the art and has continued to gain popularity in recent years. This method of tattooing draws from the American traditional style, but injects new school techniques and design elements to create more striking pieces.
The bold lines of American traditional work are utilized in these designs, but a broader color palette and more realistic approach differ from the simple, stylized work in more old school designs.
Once again the Ankh is a great starting point for these tattoos because of the endless possibility for customization and the variety of elements that can be incorporated into these vibrant and dynamic pieces.
8. Black Ink Egyptian Tattoos
This simple Ankh tattoo is expertly applied with fully saturated black ink, creating a balanced piece that is perfectly placed just above the wearer’s Achilles heel.
Nothing is quite as classy and distinguished as a nice black suit, and many would argue the same is true of tattoos. There is a certain understated elegance that is achieved by eschewing colors and sticking with bold, fully saturated black ink and an intelligent use of negative space. Thanks to its simple, but unmistakable shape the Ankh is perfect for these tattoos. While some people prefer more elaborate and detailed pieces, when comes to ancient Egyptian tattoos, sometimes less is more.
Egyptian Ankh Tattoo FAQ’s
What does the ankh symbol represent?
There is no questioning the grandeur and impressive size of the Great Pyramids of Giza, or the mysterious countenance and storied power of the Sphinx, but perhaps the most instantly recognizable Egyptian symbol is the cross topped with a loop: the Ankh. This mystical symbol has roots deep in the past, having been found in multiple cultures and traditions around the Fertile Crescent, the cradle of humanity.
While the true origins of this mystical symbol remain lost to the sands of time, the significance and role of the glyph in the traditions of ancient Egypt are clear. The Ankh is known as the “key of life” or the “cross of life” and is an Egyptian hieroglyph for “life” or more specifically, the “breath of life”. The Egyptian world view was organized on the premise of eternal life, with this world just being one aspect of this perpetual journey, and as such the Ankh represents both this life, and the true, eternal nature of existence.
This ancient symbol is packed full of meaning though, making it the perfect subject for tattoos. It most certainly represents the immortal nature of life, in line with its original Egyptian significance, however the Ankh has been utilized extensively in pop culture over the last six decades. This mystical symbol has been used by occult groups, musicians and television shows in all manner of ways, from tongue in cheek parodies to full blown occult rituals.
The varied meaning and significance gives the individual a nearly endless pool to draw from when choosing an Ankh design that holds a meaning special to their own interpretation of this Egyptian symbol.
Looking for more Egyptian tattoo inspiration? Click on the links below for more galleries with insight into the world’s longest lasting continuous civilization: