Geometric colorful lantern tattoo by marcin aleksander surowiec

Lantern Tattoo: These 42 Lantern Tattoo Ideas Will Light Up Your Life

Categories Traditional TattoosPosted on

Lantern tattoo is quite a popular design. For a person that doesn’t have much knowledge about tattoo symbols, it may seem like an odd choice. But, they are popular not only because they look nice, but also due to the meaning they have. If you are thinking of getting this tattoo, then keep reading, because we have gathered the most beautiful ideas.

Lantern with a candle and roses tattoo
Lantern with a candle and roses tattoo
You light up my darkest days quote tattoo
You light up my darkest days quote tattoo
Oil lamp tattoo
Oil lamp tattoo
Lantern with a candle tattoo on the thigh
Another one with a burning candle inside
Baby lantern tattoo on the ankle
Baby lantern on the ankle
Colorful traditional lantern and moth tattoo
Colorful traditional lantern and moth tattoo

Lantern – a long forgotten object

For hundreds of years, this was the best and the only way to have a portable lighting source. The lantern has a protective enclosure which allowed to keep the candle or the oil burning for some time.

Neotraditional style street lantern tattoo
Neotraditional style street lantern

But as an every-day-used object, it has lost its purpose long ago. As soon as people started using electricity, they threw lanterns and oil lamps away. Nowadays people use it only as a decoration in their homes. Also in some cases – as a backup lighting source. And today, it is hard to find a house that still uses it for the lighting.

Simple oil lantern tattoo
Simple oil lantern

But, the lanterns are still alive in many cities. You can find it in most of Europe’s old towns. They are also very popular in the streets of China and Japan. Of course, all of them are electric. But there are still many places around the world, where the installation of electricity is either impossible or costs too much. Thus, the people have no other choice then to use the oil-based lamps and lanterns.

Traditional lantern forearm tattoo
Traditional lantern forearm tattoo

Lantern tattoo meaning

Generally, it is a symbol of a light that guides a person in the darkness to find his way out. When it lights up, it destroys all the struggles and difficulties that happened. It helps us to discover the purpose and meaning of life. The lantern also personifies the battle between darkness and light.

Ornamental lantern with a burning candle tattoo on the forearm
Ornamental lantern with a burning candle tattoo on the forearm

Also, there are different types, and they all have various meanings. For example, the Jack-o’-lantern is a symbol of protection against the evil forces.

Lighthouse inside a lantern tattoo
Lighthouse inside a lantern

The street lantern symbolizes the strength of the character. Even in the most terrible weather, the lamp still shines. Also, it attracts bright ideas and thoughts. It spreads the light and guides others through the darkness.

Lantern with a burn out candle inside
With a burned candle inside

A lantern with a candle inside indicates the owner’s inner strength. It personifies the human life. Glass around the lamp protects it from being blown by a gust of wind. But eventually, the time will come, and the candle will burn out.

Lantern in neo traditional style
Lantern in a neo-traditional style

Another profound meaning of it is the learning of new things. After all, many medieval scientists, alchemists, and philosophers created their masterpieces at night with such lamps.

Hope for the hopeless a light in the darkness
Hope for the hopeless a light in the darkness

Lantern tattoo ideas

All in all, if you want the tattoo just for the looks – that’s ok. There is no need to avoid getting a particular tattoo just because you don’t have any explanation for it. After all, these days we don’t trust symbols as much as people did in the past. Just make sure you pick a professional artist and the right design!

Neo traditional lantern tattoo
Neo-traditional lantern tattoo
Traditional bear and lantern tattoo
Traditional bear and lantern
Galaxy lantern tattoo inked on the left calf
Galaxy lantern inked on the left calf.
Lantern and red roses traditional tattoo
Lantern and red roses traditional tattoo
Lantern tattoo with a quote there is a light that never goes out a great way to remember a dead friend
Lantern with a quote’ there is a light that never goes out’ – a great way to remember a dead friend
Green light lantern tattoo
Greenlight Lantern
Dotwork style black lantern and crescent moon tattoo
Dot-work style black lantern and crescent moon tattoo
Black street lantern at night
Black street lantern at night
Beautiful green lantern with a burning candle tattoo
Beautiful green lantern with a burning candle tattoo
Moths on the lantern tattoo on the belly
Moths on the lantern on the belly
Hyper realistic camping lantern tattoo
Hyper-realistic camping lantern tattoo
Outline small tattoo of a lantern on the right forearm
Outline small tattoo of a lantern on the right forearm
Lantern tattoo with the flowers on the sternum
Lantern tattoo with the flowers on the sternum
Stylized black lantern tattoo
Stylized black lantern tattoo
Street lantern tattoo with a dove
Street lantern tattoo with a dove
Red lantern with a crescent moon tattoo
Red lantern with a crescent moon tattoo
Traditional lantern tattoo on the right arm
Traditional lantern tattoo on the right arm
There is a light that never goes out lantern tattoo
‘There is a light that never goes out’ lantern tattoo
On the back of the neck
On the back of the neck
Dotwork lantern and crescent moon tattoo
Another dot-work lantern and crescent moon tattoo
Geometric colorful lantern tattoo by marcin aleksander surowiec
Geometric colorful lantern tattoo by Marcin Aleksander Surowiec
Vintage lantern tattoo with a camping landscape and a rose below
Vintage lantern tattoo with a camping landscape and a rose below
Death moths surround this traditional lantern on the left thigh
Death moths surround this traditional lantern on the left thigh
Victorian lantern and spiderweb tattoo on the sternum
Victorian lantern and spider web tattoo on the sternum
Burning candle inside a lantern tattoo on the belly
Burning candle inside a lantern tattoo on the belly
Dying for something to live for
Dying for something to live for
Neo traditional lantern and roses tattoo
Neo-traditional lantern and roses tattoo
Lantern with violet crystals tattoo
Lantern with violet crystals tattoo