
Top 97 Best Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoo Ideas
The proverb “hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil” has evolved over time and done much the same as a tattoo design idea.
These days in the West, an individual who will see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil feigns ignorance to having witnessed someone else doing wrong.
The popular Japanese proverb “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” is carved at the famous Tōshō-gū Shinto shrine in Nikkō, Japan and builds on early Eastern philosophy and the Buddhist tenet to not dwell on evil thoughts.
No matter the type of message, or style of ink you want to get tattooed there’s an interpretation of “hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil” body art that you can apply to your design and make unique.
Read on for 97 awesome gallery example designs you can take to your tattoo artist for your next tattoo.
1. American Traditional Ideas

Source: @haywoodarts via Instagram

Source: @oliviaclute via Instagram

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2. Hear no Evil, See no Evil, Speak no Evil Linework

Source: @xristoforosmav via Instagram

Source: @travis_matthew_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @inksplat13tattoo via Instagram

Source: @stos_tattoos via Instagram
3. Hear no Evil, See no Evil, Speak no Evil Arm Skulls

Source: @fatboi_ink_513 via Instagram

Source: @qweenbtattooist via Instagram

Source: @jamo_ink via Instagram

Source: @james_electriczombie via Instagram

Source: @kingtattoo2halllane via Instagram
4. Pop Culture Crossover Designs

Source: @syrrion via Instagram

Source: @danii.zuniga_ via Instagram

Source: @tonyasian via Instagram

Source: @ajwilliamsart via Instagram
5. Eastern Influenced Hear no Evil, See no Evil, Speak no Evil Tattoos

Source: @tattooforyouandyou via Instagram

Source: @official_inkdaddy via Instagram

Source: @martinpalmer via Instagram

Source: @gypsyeyestattoo via Instagram

Source: @thedeadhomie via Instagram
6. Innovative Hear no Evil, See no Evil, Speak no Evil Inspiration

Source: @scrappystattoos via Instagram

Source: @dtf_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @thisonkomang_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @gareththomastatto via Instagram

Source: @ladyavy_tattoo via Instagram
7. Classical Cherub/Angel Tattoo Art

Source: @major_ink_studios via Instagram

Source: @jeremiahvelez15 via Instagram

Source: @bigjawn13 via Instagram

Source: @porkymartinez via Instagram

Source: @sampleman1281 via Instagram

Source: @jordancampbellart via Instagram
8. Hear no Evil, See no Evil, Speak no Evil Linen Wrapped Figures

Source: @mills06 via Instagram

Source: @justinlynntattoos via Instagram

Source: @perfectly_imperfect_ink via Instagram

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9. Full Sleeve Tattoo Ideas

Source: @ksgorilla4scrilla via Instagram

Source: @afinetattoomartin via Instagram

Source: @jaynesermannitattoo via Instagram

Source: @tatblaster10000 via Instagram
10. Girl Hear no Evil, See no Evil, Speak no Evil Tattoos

Source: @_angeltattoos via Instagram

Source: @_libertyart_ via Instagram

Source: @bigstevelewis via Instagram

Source: @cat_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @clayduk via Instagram

Source: @joevillalpando via Instagram

Source: @kjellaarts via Instagram

Source: @komaramirez_jerijiart via Instagram

Source: @pakotattooclassic via Instagram

Source: @savytattoos via Instagram

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11. Hear no Evil, See no Evil, Speak no Evil Leg Tattoos

Source: @jerryluckycat via Instagram

Source: @justinsmilestattoo via Instagram

Source: @kromajjgrandezatattoo via Instagram

Source: @massink67 via Instagram

Source: @studio101winsford via Instagram
12. Innovative 3 Wise Monkey Tattoos

Source: @morphictattoocollective via Instagram

Source: @jayke_cox via Instagram

Source: @kingtattoo2halllane via Instagram

Source: @love_that_sting via Instagram

Source: @patremfilia via Instagram

Source: @r2hank2 via Instagram

Source: @tattoo_nadine via Instagram

Source: @benji_colohan_tattooer via Instagram

Source: @baymantattoo via Instagram

Source: @monumentalink via Instagram
13. Chicano Style Skull Designs

Source: @tattooforyouandyou via Instagram

Source: @eazyface via Instagram

Source: @freespiritmanly via Instagram

Source: @xxmetaltommyxx via Instagram

Source: @slingerstattoo via Instagram

Source: @injectionstattooing via Instagram

Source: @gregmfd84 via Instagram

Source: @chrismiller_tattoos via Instagram

Source: @chil562 via Instagram

Source: @b.a.d._tattoos via Instagram

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Source: @hughsinktherapy via Instagram

Source: @tattoosbycodysteele via Instagram

Source: @e.s.e.tattoos via Instagram
14. Color and Cartoon Hear no Evil, See no Evil, Speak no Evil Tattoos

Source: @neffewink via Instagram

Source: @dez_tattoos via Instagram

Source: @melissa_daye via Instagram

Source: @monumentalink via Instagram

Source: @slytattoos via Instagram

Source: @ben__noir via Instagram
15. Traditional Black and Gray Body Art

Source: @hookupstattoo via Instagram

Source: @love_that_sting via Instagram

Source: @chil562 via Instagram

Source: @ben__noir via Instagram

Source: @oxosceles via Instagram
Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil Tattoo FAQs
What do hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil tattoo ideas symbolize?
In Western Civilization the term “hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil” breaks down to the following:
An individual who will see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil feigns ignorance to having witnessed someone else doing wrong.
They are not responsible for fixing the problem nor bound to tell someone else what has occurred and considers it not their problem to address.
In the West the phrase has come to mean something different than was originally intended, which was essentially do nothing evil and live virtuously. The original proverb was made popular by the three wise monkeys in Japan.
Where did three wise monkey tattoos originate?
The Japanese proverb “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” is carved at the famous Tōshō-gū Shinto shrine in Nikkō, Japan.
Monkeys are important in the Shinto religion, the proverb represented by three monkeys in the carving:
- Mizaru, covers his eyes and sees no evil
- Kikazaru covers his ears and hears no evil
- Iwazaru covers his mouth and speaks no evil
The proverb builds on early Eastern philosophy and the Buddhist tenet to not dwell on evil thoughts. Three wise monkeys illustrated the necessity to protect yourself from difficult behavior, thought, or words.
There was originally a fourth monkey part of the adage, Shizaru, who means “to do no evil” and is either represented by covering his genitals or crossing arms.
What are popular hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil tattoo designs?
Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil tattoos are not confined to just the three wise monkeys. There are a lot of cool ink interpretations of the proverb which include:
- Chicano style – La Chica ink, bandana coverings, traditional black and gray art
- Skulls and American Traditional style tattoo art
- Buddhist and Eastern philosophy where the original proverb came from
- Pop culture – movies, memes, art, cartoons and books
- Classical angels and cherubs
- Figures with linen wrappings covering ears, eyes, and mouth
No matter the style of ink you like or wish to get tattooed there’s an interpretation of “hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil” body art that you can apply to your design and make unique.
Did you enjoy this collection of “hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil” tattoos? Click on the links below for more brilliant tattoo galleries featuring quote, proverbs, and adages: