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Top 97 Best Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoo Ideas

Top 97 Best Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoo Ideas

  • Next Luxury / Tattoo Ideas
  • by — Jono Elderton

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

Skull Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Haywoodarts

Source: @haywoodarts via Instagram

Skull Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Oliviaclute

Source: @oliviaclute via Instagram

Skull Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Wolfgangthomas

Source: @wolfgangthomas via Instagram

Blackwork Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Tex Cheshier

Source: @tex_cheshier via Instagram

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

Side Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Xristoforosmav

Source: @xristoforosmav via Instagram

Blackwork Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Travis Matthew Tattoo

Source: @travis_matthew_tattoo via Instagram

Blackwork Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Inksplat13tattoo

Source: @inksplat13tattoo via Instagram

Blackwork Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Stos Tattoos

Source: @stos_tattoos via Instagram

3. Hear no Evil, See no Evil, Speak no Evil Arm Skulls

Forearm Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Fatboi Ink 513

Source: @fatboi_ink_513 via Instagram

Monkey Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Qweenbtattooist

Source: @qweenbtattooist via Instagram

Blackwork Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Jamo Ink

Source: @jamo_ink via Instagram

Arm Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos James Electriczombie

Source: @james_electriczombie via Instagram

Forearm Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Kingtattoo2halllane

Source: @kingtattoo2halllane via Instagram

4. Pop Culture Crossover Designs

Shaded Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Syrrion

Source: @syrrion via Instagram

Arm Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Danii.zuniga

Source: @danii.zuniga_ via Instagram

Side Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Tonyasian

Source: @tonyasian via Instagram

Blackwork Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Ajwilliamsart

Source: @ajwilliamsart via Instagram

5. Eastern Influenced Hear no Evil, See no Evil, Speak no Evil Tattoos

Shaded Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Tattooforyouandyou 3

Source: @tattooforyouandyou via Instagram

Shaded Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Official Inkdaddy

Source: @official_inkdaddy via Instagram

Blackwork Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Martinpalmer

Source: @martinpalmer via Instagram

Arm Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Gypsyeyestattoo

Source: @gypsyeyestattoo via Instagram

Shaded Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Thedeadhomie

Source: @thedeadhomie via Instagram

6. Innovative Hear no Evil, See no Evil, Speak no Evil Inspiration

Shaded Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Scrappystattoos

Source: @scrappystattoos via Instagram

Blackwork Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Dtf Tattoo

Source: @dtf_tattoo via Instagram

Blackwork Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Thisonkomang Tattoo

Source: @thisonkomang_tattoo via Instagram

Skull Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Gareththomastattoo

Source: @gareththomastatto via Instagram

blackwork hear no evil see no evil speak no evil tattoos ladyavy_tattoo

Source: @ladyavy_tattoo via Instagram

7. Classical Cherub/Angel Tattoo Art

Shaded Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Major Ink Studios 2

Source: @major_ink_studios via Instagram

Shaded Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Jeremiahvelez15

Source: @jeremiahvelez15 via Instagram

Shaded Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Bigjawn13

Source: @bigjawn13 via Instagram

Arm Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Porkymartinez

Source: @porkymartinez via Instagram

Blackwork Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Sampleman1281

Source: @sampleman1281 via Instagram

Forearm Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Jordancampbellart

Source: @jordancampbellart via Instagram

8. Hear no Evil, See no Evil, Speak no Evil Linen Wrapped Figures

Blackwork Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Mills06

Source: @mills06 via Instagram

Arm Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Justinlynntattoos

Source: @justinlynntattoos via Instagram

Forearm Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Perfectly Imperfect Ink

Source: @perfectly_imperfect_ink via Instagram

Blackwork Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Neatneedles

Source: @neatneedles via Instagram

9. Full Sleeve Tattoo Ideas

Forearm Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Ksgorilla4scrilla

Source: @ksgorilla4scrilla via Instagram

Full Sleeve Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Afinetattoomartin

Source: @afinetattoomartin via Instagram

Full Sleeve Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Jaynesermannitattoo

Source: @jaynesermannitattoo via Instagram

Full Sleeve Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Tatblaster10000

Source: @tatblaster10000 via Instagram

10. Girl Hear no Evil, See no Evil, Speak no Evil Tattoos

Girl Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Angeltattoos

Source: @_angeltattoos via Instagram

Girl Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Libertyart

Source: @_libertyart_ via Instagram

Girl Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Bigstevelewis

Source: @bigstevelewis via Instagram

Girl Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Cat Tattoo

Source: @cat_tattoo via Instagram

Girl Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Clayduk

Source: @clayduk via Instagram

Girl Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Joevillalpando

Source: @joevillalpando via Instagram

Girl Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Kjellaarts

Source: @kjellaarts via Instagram

Girl Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Komaramirez Jerijiart

Source: @komaramirez_jerijiart via Instagram

Girl Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Pakotattooclassic

Source: @pakotattooclassic via Instagram

Girl Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Savytattoos

Source: @savytattoos via Instagram

Girl Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Showwnoluvvv

Source: @showwnoluvvv via Instagram

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

Leg Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Jerryluckycat

Source: @jerryluckycat via Instagram

Leg Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Justinsmilestattoo

Source: @justinsmilestattoo via Instagram

Leg Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Kromajjgrandezatattoo

Source: @kromajjgrandezatattoo via Instagram

Leg Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Massink67

Source: @massink67 via Instagram

Leg Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Studio101winsford

Source: @studio101winsford via Instagram

12. Innovative 3 Wise Monkey Tattoos

Blackwork Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Morphictattoocollective

Source: @morphictattoocollective via Instagram

Monkey Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Jayke Cox

Source: @jayke_cox via Instagram

Monkey Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Kingtattoo2halllane

Source: @kingtattoo2halllane via Instagram

Monkey Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Love That Sting

Source: @love_that_sting via Instagram

Monkey Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Patremfilia

Source: @patremfilia via Instagram

Monkey Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos R2hank2

Source: @r2hank2 via Instagram

Monkey Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Tattoo Nadine

Source: @tattoo_nadine via Instagram

Watercolor Colored Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Benji Colohan Tattooer

Source: @benji_colohan_tattooer via Instagram

watercolor colored hear no evil see no evil speak no evil tattoos baymantattoo

Source: @baymantattoo via Instagram

watercolor colored hear no evil see no evil speak no evil tattoos monumentalink

Source: @monumentalink via Instagram

13. Chicano Style Skull Designs

Shaded Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Tattooforyouandyou 2

Source: @tattooforyouandyou via Instagram

Side Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Eazyface

Source: @eazyface via Instagram

Chest Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Freespiritmanly

Source: @freespiritmanly via Instagram

Skull Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Xxmetaltommyxx

Source: @xxmetaltommyxx via Instagram

Skull Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Slingerstattoo

Source: @slingerstattoo via Instagram

Skull Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Injectionstattooing

Source: @injectionstattooing via Instagram

Skull Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Gregmfd84

Source: @gregmfd84 via Instagram

Skull Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Chrismiller Tattoos

Source: @chrismiller_tattoos via Instagram

Skull Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Chil562

Source: @chil562 via Instagram

Skull Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos B.a.d. Tattoos 2

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

Skull Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos B.a.d. Tattoos

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

Skull Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Hughsinktherapy

Source: @hughsinktherapy via Instagram

Skull Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Tattoosbycodysteele 4

Source: @tattoosbycodysteele via Instagram

Blackwork Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos E.s.e.tattoos

Source: @e.s.e.tattoos via Instagram

14. Color and Cartoon Hear no Evil, See no Evil, Speak no Evil Tattoos

Blackwork Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Neffewink

Source: @neffewink via Instagram

Watercolor Colored Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Baymantattoo

Watercolor Colored Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Dez Tattoos

Source: @dez_tattoos via Instagram

Watercolor Colored Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Melissa Daye

Source: @melissa_daye via Instagram

Watercolorcolored Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Monumentalink

Source: @monumentalink via Instagram

Blackwork Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Slytattoos

Source: @slytattoos via Instagram

Shaded Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Ben Noir

Source: @ben__noir via Instagram

15. Traditional Black and Gray Body Art

Shaded Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Hookupstattoo

Source: @hookupstattoo via Instagram

Skull Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Love That Sting

Source: @love_that_sting via Instagram

Side Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Chil562

Source: @chil562 via Instagram

Shaded Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Ben Noir 2

Source: @ben__noir via Instagram

Chest Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil Tattoos Oxosceles

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:

  • Rib Quote Tattoo Ideas 
  • “We the People” Tattoo Designs 
  • Forearm Quote Tattoo Designs 
  • Top 43 Quote Tattoo Ideas
  • 40 Time Waits for No Man Tattoos
  • 112 This Too Shall Pass Tattoo Ideas

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Jono Elderton

Writer

Jono writes about booze and tattoos for Next Luxury, having spent nearly two decades experiencing both in a variety of situations around the globe.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing) from the University of Canberra and a Graduate Diploma of Professional Writing from Deakin University.

Jono writes about booze and tattoos for Next Luxury, having spent nearly two decades experiencing both in a variety of situations around the globe.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing) from the University of Canberra and a Graduate Diploma of Professional Writing from Deakin University.

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