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Top 60 Wave Tattoo Design Ideas – [2022 Inspiration Guide]

Top 60 Wave Tattoo Design Ideas – [2022 Inspiration Guide]

  • Next Luxury / Style, Tattoo Ideas
  • by — Brian Cornwell

Wave Tattoos

It’s easy to surf across the perfect wave, yet even easier to get lost in it staring far from the beach shore. The constant motion of the ocean, though, breaking off at the shore, still manages to appear calm and quite tranquil.

However, when the storms brew, the once peaceful waves turn into terror.

The idea is beautifully captured in the famous The Grave Wave woodblock print by the renowned Japanese artist Hokusai. 

In this drawing, Hokusai featured vivid details of the deep blue in the wave’s curve. Yet, his inspiration truly stemmed from the fact that his own country was completely surrounded by ocean water.

For others, they’re appreciated for being symbols of life’s constant motion, an unstoppable force of nature that continues on and on over the course of time.

In another light, waves can represent how even with all the strength in the world, water can still manage to work its way free. Just like life itself, many things refused to be grasped and remain elusive to us.

Read on for this collection of the top 60 best wave tattoo designs. You’ll discover an ocean of awesome ideas featuring unique and creative ink styles.

1. Wave and Surfers Tattoo Ideas

Surfing Ocean Waves Guy's Tattoo Designs

Surfer Ocean Wave Tattoos For Males

Blue Surfing Wave Tattoo For Men On Arm

Sunset Color Guy's Water Waves Tattoo On Arm

Masculine Sun And Wave Tattoo On Arm

2. Upper Arm Wave Tattoos

Men's Japanese Waves Bicep Tattoos

Wave Curl Bicep Tattoo Men

 

Bicep Wave Tattoo For Men

Lighthouse Ocean Waves Tattoo For Men

The Great Wave Off Kanagawa Tattoo For Guys

The Great Wave Tattoo For Guys

 

Cool Blue Arm Wave Tattoo For Men

Anchor And Wave Tattoo Men's Ideas

Wave Tattoos Men's Designs

3. Wave Tattoo Sleeve Designs

The Wave Tattoo For Men

Blue Tattoo Waves For Men With Flower

Gentleman With Japanese Wave Tattoo Sleeve On Arm

Full Sleeve Tattoo Of Waves Men

Half Sleeve Light Wave Men's Tattoo

Male Wave Sleeve Tattoo

Men's Great Wave Tattoo Half Sleeve

Men's Japanese Waves Tattoo Full Sleeve

Sleeve Tattoos For Men With Waves

4. Black and Gray Wave Tattoos

Tidal Wave Tattoo For Men

Water Wave Men's Tattoos

Atlantic Ocean Wave Tattoo Designs On Men

Men's Waves Tattoo

Bicep Guy's Chinese Wave Tattoo

Skull Wave Tattoo For Men

Man With Wave Tattoo Sleeve In Black Ink

5. Innovative Wave Tattoos

Masculine Back Wave Tattoo Designs For Men

Simple Creative Men's Wave Tattoo Design Night Time Theme

Tattoos Waves Ideas For Men

Manly Wave Armband Tattoo On Wrist

Small Men's Wave Tattoos

Waves Tattoos For Guys

6. Chest, Side, and Rib Wave Tattoos

Wave Tattoo Meaning For Men

Small Chinese Waves Tattoo Ideas For Men

Chest And Shoulder Men's Water Wave Tattoo

Japanese Tattoo Waves For Males With Eagle On Chest

Man With Chest And Shoulder Wave Tattoos

Ship Sailing In Waves Tattoo For Males

Rib Cage Side Wave Tattoo For Males

Blue Guy's Hokusai Wave Tattoo On Ribs

7. Leg Wave Tattoos

Cool Koi Fish Wave Tattoos Men

Ocean Waves Male Tattoos

Men's Wave Tattoo Sleeve On Legs

Atomic Wave Tattoo For Men On Legs

Men's Ocean Wave Tattoo On Legs

Thigh Wave Band Tattoo For Men

8. Hand and Foot Wave Tattoos

Tattoo Wave On Man Leg And Foot

Male Tattoos Of Wave On Foot

Asian Wave Tattoo For Men On Hand

9. Japanese Wave Tattoos

Guy's Tattoos Of Ocean Waves On Back

Chest Japanese River Wave Tattoo On Man

Monster Japanese Wave Tattoo For Males

Men's Hawaiian Wave Tattoo

Arm Kanagawa Wave Male Tattoo

Wave Tattoo FAQs

What do wave tattoos symbolize?

Often times wave ink is representative of the ocean, a love of the sea and surf, conservation, or a sense of belonging to coastal villages, towns, and cities.

Waves are linked to the idea of motion and the inexorability of tides and time. They never cease travelling, even in motion when seeming completely still.

Waves are also a popular symbol for depicting emotions, as they can be shown as calm, cool, fun, in turmoil, or in complete rage.

Why are waves popular in Japanese tattoos?

Waves are often incorporated into larger tattoos as shadow or fill images, particularly in the traditional Japanese irezumi style of design where a focus main image needs contrasting back up.

Some other wave tattoos are based on Hokusai’s great wave print to make tattoo interpretations of various emotions, or to utlize some cool ink applications such as deft line work, stippling or negative space effects.

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Brian Cornwell

Writer

Brian Cornwell founded Next Luxury in 2007 as a magazine for modern gentlemen.

Brian Cornwell founded Next Luxury in 2007 as a magazine for modern gentlemen.

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