40 Small Minimalist Tattoo Ideas – [2021 Inspiration Guide]

Some collectors desire a large tattoo to show off their artistic preferences, while others wish for smaller, less noticeable body art.

Minimalist tattoos offer elegant designs suitable for different styles and applications.

They use simple but powerful design aesthetics to achieve a dynamic statement in a very small space.

This gallery of the top 40 small minimalist tattoo ideas will showcase inspiring simple designs that will have you mulling new ideas to take to the tattoo shop.

1. Small Minimalist Linework Tattoos 

2. Simple Heavy Black Ink Small Tattoo Ideas

3. Small Minimalist Triangle Tattoo Designs

4. Abstract Linework Small Tattoos

5. Geometric Minimalist Small Tattoo Ideas

6. Old School Small Minimalist Tattoo Designs

7. Skyline Small Tattoo Ideas

8. Small Christian Minimalist Tattoo Ideas

Small Minimalist Tattoo FAQs

What is a minimalist tattoo?

Minimalist tattoos show-case strong yet very rudimentary design, relying on line and shadow to build the form of the tattoo. There’s nothing flowery or superfluous, just a clean touch in a small space.

Minimalist tattoos mean lots of different types of design freedom – from simple script, geometric shapes, abstract animals or silhouette.

What do small triangle tattoos symbolize?

Traditionally, triangle tattoos are closely linked with Christianity. As triangles have three points and three straight sides they’re most often used to represent the holy trinity: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

As far as double triangle tattoos are concerned twin superimposed triangles of the same size are alchemy symbols that have been commandeered into the realm of body art. If the two triangles point skywards they represent the element of air, while a downward pointing pair of triangles symbolize the element of earth.

Another popular representation of twin triangles occurs with an upside-down triangle where the tip points downward to symbolize the female/feminine. The triangle with the point facing upward is a man/masculine symbol.