Top 51 Small Geometric Tattoo Ideas – [2022 Inspiration Guide]

Sometimes the smaller the tattoo, the greater the impression it creates for the collector and viewer alike. Small geometric tattoos are no exception.

Poetic mandalas, mathematical figures, and all manner of organic subjects are often best depicted in a subtle, understated style.

Founded out of necessity for one’s field of work or in preference for a simpler aesthetic, there’s no denying the allure of well-etched small tattoos, geometric tattoos included.

Studding the wrist, upper arm, neck, or chest, small geometric tattoos require a certain intimacy from the viewer that invites only a select few in – and holds them there.

This gallery shows the complexity of 51 small geometric tattoos, whether in linework and shape, or detail and execution.

1. Geometric Animal Tattoos 

There’s nothing more badass in all of fantasy than the Animal Warrior. Aboriginal cultures across the globe have incorporated sacred animal friends, guides, and spirits into traditional costumes, rituals, dance, and even tattoo art.

In fact, animal tattoos are so old in human society that they were found on 2400-year-old mummies recovered in the High Altai Mountains of Western and Southern Siberia.

A geometric animal tattoo is a perfectly modern way to carry on this tradition. Due to the simplicity of design, the geometric style is especially suited to representing animals in their broadest, most archetypal format.

So, it’s not uncommon to see a geometric lion, a geometric butterfly, or even a geometric bee as a tattoo design. Owl tattoos are also widely used as body art.

With your own small geometric tattoo, you will be joining a long list of men with small tattoos with meaning.

The bear is a symbol of strength and courage. This tattoo design shows an animal in its natural habitat in a creative way. Only the outline of a geometric bear could be seen along with some mountains and part of a forest in geometric lines and shapes etched across the animal’s body.

Here’s another bear tattoo made up of various geometric shapes.

This is an interesting design. The deer is generally regarded as a symbol of grace, gentleness, and devotion. In this design, the silhouette of a deer is filled with a geometric pattern associated with sacred geometry, that school of thought that ascribes mystical meaning to some geometric shapes and patterns.

Wolves may be predators, but they are also known to be loyal. A wolf tattoo is a symbol of loyalty, love of family, protection, and guardianship. This geometric wolf tattoo is done in simple, clean lines with some negative space.

The lion, an apex predator, is widely known as the king of the jungle. A lion tattoo signifies courage and bravery. In this geometric tattoo design, a sketch-like portrait of the king of the jungle is combined with geometric shapes in black and gray.

  

2. Geometric Dotwork Tattoos 

Dotwork is absolutely ideal for small arm tattoos. It’s a painstaking technique requiring the tattoo artist to create images or shading by hand, poking a single dot at a time. Precise dots are delicately blended to create striking and detailed designs.

Obviously, due to the painful and time-consuming nature of this technique, it’s both practical and beautiful to go small when you get your ink. The rewards are evident as your piece will appear softer, blended, and more natural.

A favorite tattoo design, even for dotwork style, is the Penrose triangle. It’s an optical illusion also known as the impossible tribar because it’s impossible to construct physically although any tattoo artist can easily execute such design.

The Penrose triangle consists of a two-dimensional triangle that is subconsciously interpreted as a projection of a three-dimensional triangle.

This forearm dotwork tattoo gives the illusion of the skin being ripped open to reveal 3D geometric figures underneath the skin.

Six overlapping cubes arranged like a geometric flower that fits nicely inside a hexagon, with what appears to be a Merkaba in the middle, make for an interesting dotwork tattoo. A Merkaba is a sacred geometry symbol for light, spirit, and body.

This could have been Spider Man villain Dr. Otto Octavius holding “the power of the sun in the palm of my hand,” except that the shape at the center is a triangle and the outline is triangular instead of round.

The line segments radiating from the triangle in the middle, which look like they are the sun’s rays, are done in black inkand instead of negative space, countless dots are inked on the space between the lines.

This tattoo design shows a version of the Metatron’s Cube, one of the most widely used sacred geometry tattoos. Metatron was an archangel who was mentioned in various mythologies as the scribe of God.

3. Minimalist Geometric Tattoos 

Minimalist art is the ability to say a lot with a little, and minimalist geometric tattoos are no different. We’ve been using simple geometric patterns to represent the mysteries of the universe since time immemorial.

These geometric tattoos are also very practical in terms of time, money, visibility, and, dare I say it, even bravery.

Some people like to get into the pool one toe at a time rather than dive in head first. Getting a minimalist ink, such as a geometric arrow tattoo, is perfect for those who want to get inked but don’t find the more mainstream tattoo culture appealing.

Minimalist geometric tattoos are a perfect counterweight to full sleeve body art, giant photorealistic portraits, or in-your-face full-color design. If you want to get a tattoo that counters the mainstream and maintains that personal intimacy, then minimalist geometric style ink is the way to go.

This sacred geometry tattoo is called the Flower of Life. It is said to represent the building blocks of the universe. It symbolizes spiritual growth and awakening. 

Within this beautiful geometric pattern, other sacred geometry symbols exist, such as the Egg of Life, Seed of Life, and the Tree of Life. 

This is the Seed of Life tattoo design, another sacred geometry symbol. It’s taken from the inner seven circles of the Flower of Life symbol. The Seed of Life consists of seven interlocking circles, which are said to represent the seven days of creation.

This is the Sri Yantra symbol in sacred geometry. It consists of interlocking triangles that, in Indian tradition, represent the path toward enlightenment. This symbol is used in Hindu ceremonies as well as in meditation. 

Here’s a simple linework style ink of another version of a Penrose triangle.

4. Geometric Geography and Compass Tattoos 

Many of us feel a strong connection to our place of birth or a sacred space we’ve been on our travels. Even if you can’t be back there, you can carry it with you forever wherever you go by getting it in ink.

Small geometric tattoos can be perfect reminders of where you’ve been. The beauty of a geometric design is that you can keep it simple. 

Geometric tattoos showing mountain peaks or a city skyline say so much with so little. Using geometric designs is a great way to include symbolism without overdoing it.

The compass is instantly recognizable as one of the oldest and most universal instruments of navigation. Far from home or heading home are both equally applicable. Likewise, the moon, the sun, the yin and yang – all can fit nicely and neatly within a geometric geography tattoo.

In this tattoo design, a full moon lights up the mountains in geometric shapes. In the foreground is the silhouette of a forest.

A popular tattoo idea is this peaceful scenery that shows a lake, the mountains beyond, and the forest on the other side with a full moon above. The difference is that this is etched on what looks like a luggage tag.

5. Innovative Geometric Tattoos 

Heart tattoos in realism style ink can also be done in geometrical shapes, such as this design.

Tribal tattoos in dark ink are sure to catch attention. Here’s an example of a simple tribal-inspired tattoo that perfectly adorns the wrist. 

This geometric tattoo combines the yin and yang image with the Flower of Life sacred geometry symbol.

If none of the above tattoos grab you, then don’t hesitate to take an approach that’s never been used before. Use your canvas to combine geometric style with other tattoo styles, and mix traditional or tribal with a geometric shape to make something new within an existing style.

A tribal-inspired geometric tattoo is perfect for small body art on the forearm or inner forearm. It’s a perfect trade-off for those who might want a traditional Polynesian style tribal sleeve without putting that many hours in the chair and making that much of a statement.

Combining tattoo styles would also work even for those who want traditional symbols such as an anchor or rose but really like the clarity of geometric designs.

Perhaps you want a cool symbol and want to avoid script (foreign or otherwise). A fractal style combination of squares, circles, or triangles could work to have that simple, punchy impact.

Enjoy these examples of small tattoos, but if you’re looking for more ink inspiration, click on the links below for more awesome galleries:

• Awesome Small Tattoo Designs
• Top 47 Badass Small Tattoo Ideas
• Top 43 Coolest Small Tattoo Ideas
• Small Compass Tattoos