Whale Tattoo Ideas

1. Matching Whale Tattoos

If you have someone special, why not get yourselves a Matching Whale Tattoo?

Matching Tattoos are great for those who have had similar lived experiences and want to honor and cherish those memories for the rest of their lives. 

2. Brush Stroke Whale Tattoo

Brush stroke is a tattooing style that mimics the aesthetic of paint being applied with a brush.

The lines in brush stroke tattoos are typically thick and visible with a style that emphasizes flow and natural movement, making it ideal for designs that convey motion or emotion.

3. Winged Whale Tattoo

For something a little more fantastical, check out this gorgeous Winged Whale Tattoo.

This lovely Tattoo Design features a Whale with the wings of a bird and being flanked by a group of penguins. 

4. Compass Whale Tattoo

For those of you who feel like you’re seeking guidance and want to move in a more positive direction, a Compass Tattoo is perfect to pair with your Whale.

Not just for those seeking guidance, a Compass Tattoo can also symbolize a love of travel and adventure, representing a passion for adventure and discovering new places and experiences.

5. Anchor Whale Tattoo

Anchor Tattoos, despite their perceived connection to sailing and the sea, actually have deep symbolism that extends beyond nautical themes.

This can include stability and security, whether it be in love or difficult periods in one's life.

New beginnings, such as the raising of an anchor, symbolize moving forward, or even loyalty, and dedication as an anchor can symbolize fidelity and the steadfastness of purpose in personal relationships and life pursuits.

6. Cute Whale Tattoo

For something a little more adorable, check out this Cute Whale Tattoo by sylvia.ovo.

This little Tattoo Design has a super-cute tiny whale popping up over the waves and is adorned with some lovely stars and shapes around it. 

7. Marker Colored Whale Tattoo

Another Tattoo Design by sylvia.ovo, this time in one of her more unique styles.

With this design, Sylvia colors the tattoo in a style that makes it look like it was colored by a marker, without coloring in all the design, giving it a unique childlike quality. 

8. Minimalist Whale Tattoo

Minimalist tattoos are characterized by their simplicity and subtlety, focusing on clean lines, minimal detail, and often monochromatic color palettes.

These tattoos usually feature simple designs without elaborate details and are often small, making them ideal for placement in discreet areas. 

9. Monstro Tattoo

Monstro is the final antagonist of the 1940 Disney film Pinnochio.

Monstro is described as a ‘Whale of a Whale’ who can devour entire ships, and the mere mention of his name causes the various sea creatures to flee in terror.

Geppetto, Figaro, and Cleo, along with their boat, are swallowed whole by Monstro, leading Pinnochio on a quest to save them from the belly of the beast. 

10. Skeleton Whale Tattoo

For something a little more morbid, check out this super cool Skeleton Whale Tattoo.

While any animal dying is sad, a Whale carcass can create a complex and rich ecosystem as it sinks to the ocean floor, providing a significant source of nutrients in the deep sea. This process is often referred to as "whale fall." 

11. Laboon One Piece Tattoo

This One Piece Tattoo is of Laboon. Immediately having entered the Grand Line, the Strawhat Crew encountered a gigantic Whale with scars across the front of its face.

This Whale was once a member of the Rumbar Pirates, the original crew of Brook, who promised to return to him someday before their untimely death. 

12. Whale Shark Tattoo

I know, I know, Whale Sharks aren’t actually Whales and are actually sharks, but I just know someone out there will be at least looking for one.

This Shark Tattoo is of a porcelain Whale Shark with a flower pattern across its back created by e.nal.tattoo.

13. Celestial Whale Tattoo

If you’re someone who loves astrology or dreams about exploring the stars someday as well as Whales, why not get a Celestial Whale Tattoo?

This gorgeous Whale Tattoo has a mother and baby floating through the stars with a rope attached to the Whale and a crescent moon. 

14. Whale Frame Tattoo

This beautiful Tattoo Design by tattooist_eq has a Whale jumping out of the water as if it is dancing with a lovely red sun in the background and crashing waves all in the confines of a beautiful frame tattoo. 

15. Whale In A Frame Tattoo

Rather than have a frame Tattoo Style, why not have your Whale in a frame instead?

This lovely tattoo has the tail of the Whale slowly disappearing beneath the waves and the sun ready to sink below the horizon. 

16. Astronaut Whale Tattoo

Maybe you have dreams of exploring the stars yourself someday.

If so, check out this adorable astronaut and Whale Tattoo. 

This lovely design features a celestial whale with a space pattern on its skin and an astronaut traveling through the stars on its back.  

17. Water Whale Tattoo

If you want to add a little bit of the elements to your Whale Tattoo, try adding some water to its design.

This cool design shows parts of the Whale made out of water itself rather than the whale in the water. 

18. Ceramic Whale Tattoo

Like the Whale Shark Tattoo from earlier, this time, we have a Porcelain Whale Tattoo.

This piece also features pieces of gold in its designs.

This is because in Japan, the act of repairing broken porcelain with gold, known as  Kintsugi (金継ぎ) or Kintsukuroi (金繕い), is a traditional Japanese art form that embraces the philosophy of finding beauty in imperfection and venerating the scars of repair.

19. Fine-Line Whale Tattoo

Fine-line tattoos are a popular style that combines delicate and precise qualities with thin, clean lines to create intricate designs that can range from simple and minimalist to complex and detailed.

Fine-line tattoos can accommodate a wide range of designs, from geometric patterns and botanical illustrations to portraits and lettering.

20. Whale And Orca Tattoo

Despite the name, Orcas or Killer Whales aren’t actually Whales and are, in fact, the largest species of dolphin.

They exhibit many characteristics typical of dolphins, such as high intelligence, complex social structures, and acute echolocation abilities.

Their classification as dolphins highlights their more refined physiological and behavioral traits compared to other whale species.

21. Whale Wave Tattoo

Another unique idea for your Whale Tattoo is to add more dynamic elements to its design.

In this design, the Whale's texture slowly adapts into waves before transforming into a real wave that crashes over the back of the Whale, with its fin slightly separated from its design. 

22. Kyogre Pokemon Tattoo

This Pokemon Tattoo is of Kyogre, the 382nd Pokemon in the Pokedex and one of the three legendary super-ancient Pokemon, along with Groudon and Rayquaza.

Kyogre is believed to have created the world's oceans and is the personification of the Ocean itself.

It was a toss-up between Kyogre or the Wailord lineage for this list, but I decided to go with the legendary Pokemon as it was the first legendary shiny I ever got. 

23. Balloon Whale Tattoo

While there are many depictions of Whales flying through the skies, sometimes they could use a little help.

This funny little tattoo design depicts a Whale with a balloon strapped to its back to help it float peacefully through the skies. 

24. Breaching Whale Tattoo

One image that we are probably all familiar with when it comes to Whales is their breaching of the surface of the water.

Whales breach for a number of reasons, with it being theorized it is for communication, parasite removal, playfulness, hunting strategies, fitness, and even a mating ritual. 

25. Surrealist Whale Tattoo

Surrealist tattoos draw inspiration from the Surrealist art movement, which began in the early 20th century.

This style of tattooing embraces the bizarre, irrational, and dreamlike scenarios often found in the works of Salvador Dalí, René Magritte, and other surrealist artists.

This Surrealist Whale Tattoo features the Whale with a body made of two touching hands.

26. Floral Whale Tattoo

Floral Tattoos can have a wide range of symbolism depending on which flower you choose to adorn yourself with.

With around 400,000 species of flowers worldwide and more being discovered, there is really no shortage of potential symbolism for you to find that speaks to you.

27. Universe Whale Tattoo

Another for our Space Whale Tattoo designs, this time the Whale features a beautiful universe pattern with gorgeous clouds/dust and stars.

This lovely design is by ornot_tattoo who does a lot of Tattoo Designs, but we particularly love his Whale designs, so check them out for more.

28. Oriental Whale Tattoo

If you want your Whale Tattoo to have more of an Asian aesthetic, try out this gorgeous Oriental Whale Tattoo.

This Tattoo Design features both a Chinese art style and also Chinese calligraphy. 

29. Whale And Boat Tattoo

If you are a fan of sailing, then what better to pair your Whale Tattoo with than a boat?

This super cool design depicts a Whale carrying a boat on its back, with the boat symbolizing themes of adventure, independence, escapism, and tranquility, to name a few. 

30. Moby Dick Whale Tattoo

Moby Dick is an American novel written by Herman Melville and first published in 1851.

The story follows the exploits of Ishmael, a sailor who joins a whaling voyage led by the obsessive Captain Ahab on his quest to find and kill the Whale Moby Dick.

The captain seeks revenge on the whale for maiming him on a previous voyage, costing him his leg.

Moby Dick shows how a personal vendetta can consume an individual and impact those around him.

31. City Whale Tattoo

The depiction of whales with cities on their backs is a concept that appears in various forms of art, literature, and mythology.

In some mythologies, giant sea creatures, including whales, are seen as carrying the world or entire cosmos on their backs.

This can be linked to ancient beliefs about the world being supported by a mythical creature, such as a turtle or an elephant, in Hindu mythology.

32. Pendant Whale Tattoo

For something a little unique, check out this super cool Pendant Whale Tattoo.

This lovely tattoo was based on an actual pendant of a whale in a ring splashing through the water, along with a nice gem at the bottom. 

33. Paper Clamp Whale Tattoo

Why a Paper Clamp Whale Tattoo? I have no idea.

Perhaps there is some significance or meaning behind this design that I’m unaware of, so if you know, feel free to let us know. 

However, the design itself is still undeniably cool. 

34. Whale And Squid Tattoo

Whales and Squids have gone down in folklore for the depictions of their battles against each other.

This is usually specifically in regards to Sperm Whales and the Giant Squid, as Sperm Whales are known to dive deep into the ocean to hunt squids, including giant and colossal squids.

35. Landscape Whale Tattoo

For another unique Tattoo Design, try out something like this super cool Landscape Whale Tattoo.

This design features a nice mountain scene with a sunset at the front, a wave at night time at the back, and an anatomical heart in the middle to separate the two. 

36. Mermaid Whale Tattoo

If you want to make your Whale Tattoo look a little bit more feminine, add a Mermaid to its design.

Mermaids are traditionally associated with beauty, grace, and allure, meaning a mermaid tattoo can symbolize femininity and the power of feminine allure.

37. Splashing Whale Tattoo

If you have a playful personality, then why not get yourself a Splashing Whale Tattoo Design?

Breaching is often observed among younger whales, suggesting it could be a form of play that is important in many animal species for developing physical and social skills.

38. Coffee Whale Tattoo

If you love Whales and the delicious dark nectar that starts your day, then why not get yourself a Coffee Whale Tattoo?

This funky design features a slightly bent-out Whale grabbing hold of his coffee so tight that it's bursting out all around him.  

39. Whale And Diver Tattoo

Diver tattoos symbolize a deep connection to the underwater world and often reflect a passion for diving and exploring marine environments.

These tattoos vary widely in style and can symbolize themes of adventure and exploration, bravery and courage, and tranquility and solitude, which synergizes well with a Whale Tattoo. 

40. Butterfly Whale Tattoo

Butterfly Tattoos most profound meaning is that of transformation and change.

This calls to how Butterflies transform from caterpillars, symbolizing a significant change and personal growth.

Butterfly Tattoos also represent beauty, fragility, and freedom,  serving as a reminder to enjoy the world's fleeting beauty and cherish life’s transient moments.

41. Whale And Turtle Tattoo

Turtle Tattoos often carry meanings associated with the turtle’s behavior and qualities in nature and its importance in various cultural mythologies.

This symbolism includes longevity and persistence, as turtles are known for their long lifespans and slow, steady movements.

Turtle Tattoos can also symbolize stability and peace as they are often associated with calmness and stability, partly due to their slow and measured movements.

42. BTS Whale Tattoo

This Whale Tattoo is inspired by the Korean boy band BTS.

BTS has a song named Whalien 52, which uses the metaphor of a whale to discuss feelings of loneliness and being misunderstood, drawing inspiration from the real-life story of the 52-hertz whale,  often referred to as "the loneliest whale in the world."

43. Wind Fish Tattoo

This Legend of Zelda Tattoo is of the Wind Fish, a main character staring in the video game The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening.

The Wind Fish serves as the main focus of the storyline, needing to be awoken for Link to Escape the dream created by it and return to the real world. 

44. Whale Tail Tattoo

Lastly, another iconic image of Whales is their tails disappearing beneath the waves.

This image is often used in art, literature, and photography to convey multiple layers of meaning.

This image may represent a farewell or the end of an era, as the whale returns to its secretive oceanic life after a brief encounter above water or can capture the inherent grace in the motion of a whale's tail that captivates observers, symbolizing natural beauty and the elegance of nature’s designs.

1. Whale Tattoo On Ankle

The ankle is a nice location for your Whale Tattoo.

This Tattoo, in particular, shows off why perfectly.

The artist has drawn a line just above the top of the malleoli (ball of the ankle) separating the leg from the foot, making the foot seem like a pool filled with water for the Whale to dive into.

2. Whale Tattoo On Back

The back is the quintessential place to get your back tattoo if you want expansive and highly detailed designs.

The back offers so much space on a flat area, allowing you to go wild with a design that can be easily shown at a glance without the need to turn your body. 

3. Whale Tattoo On Arm

The arm is an obvious choice for any Tattoo Design and for good reasons.

The arm is one of the least painful places to get inked on most of its surface aside from the elbow and armpit, and it is also a location easily shown off and concealed at a moment's notice. 

4. Forearm Whale Tattoo

Like the upper arm, the forearm is another excellent location for those who want to show off their Whale Tattoo as often as possible.

The forearm has plenty of muscle and fat protecting the bone, so it should be a relatively less painful experience than other places, and it can be easily shown off and hidden.

5. Whale Tattoo On Thigh

Lastly, Thigh Tattoos are another great place for your Whale Tattoo.

This location offers a ton of muscle and fat, which will really dampen and pain, leading to a more pleasurable experience.

However, keep in mind that even though Thigh Tattoos offer a lot of extra allure, they aren’t so easily shown off for those who live in colder climates.