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Whether you want to be the surfer with the baddest ink around or you just like sea-themed imagery, well-done seashell designs are some of the coolest tattoos for men you can find on the sand. Seashell tattoos can be as adaptive as the ocean, stand the test of ᴛι̇ɱe, and mean just about anything.
The overarching seashell tattoo theme is protection. You’ll want to protect what’s underneath your body art just as much as the molluscs that called these shells home want to protect themselves. Thanks to that versatile security, they can be a perfect piece of art for any area of the body.
Whatever your niche is, we curated 20 amazing seashell tattoos for you to muse over. Just be prepared, you’re probably going to want more than one seashell tattoo by the end of this.
1. Small Seashell Tattoo
Considering seashells are on the smaller side most of the ᴛι̇ɱe, small seashell tattoos seem like a fitting choice for anyone searching for sea-creature ink. Not only is it accurate nature-wise, but small seashell tattoos can fit anywhere, like behind the ear, between the fingers, or the top of the foot. Not only that, you can avoid freaking out your grandparents by hiding those little seashells between your fingers instead of on your face or neck.
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2. Simple Seashell Tattoo
Simple seashell tattoos are perfect for guys new to ink. We all like to think we’re pretty tough, but if you’ve never sat in a chair for hours on end while someone hammered your shaved-raw arm with needles, then getting that sick sleeve as your first ink-work might not be the best idea. You’ll definitely look badass, but unless you already know you have crazy-high pain tolerance, try some simple linework first, you can always add to it later.
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3. Beach Themed Seashell Tattoo
If you’re looking for something larger and want more than just a shell, beach-themed shell tattoos are the next best fit. Since you’re already getting a shell tattoo, adding crashing waves, blowing palm trees, whatever your beach vibe can make a great addition.
@marco_tattooart / Instagram
4. Minimalist Seashell Tattoo
Minimalist art and simple seashell tattoos might sound similar, but do not be fooled. The minimalist art movement can pack a serious punch in just a small number of lines. Minimalism in the art world believes that any art should exist in its own space separate from the rest of reality, so yeah…minimalist seashell tattoos can get pretty abstract. Embrace it and run with it.
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5. Traditional Seashell Tattoo
Seashells are an image as old as huɱaп beings themselves, so an old-school style like traditional is a perfect fit to represent the seashells. Traditional seashell tattoos have deep saturation, and stark contrasts of colored ink that gives them that 1-2 punch that looks so ᴛι̇ɱeless.
@smokingmermaidtattoo / Instagram
6. Seashell Drawing Tattoo
If you ever wanted a tattoo that looks like somebody drew it by hand, there’s no ᴛι̇ɱe like the present! It’s not exactly realism, but it doesn’t look like your typical tattoo either. Make your skin look like a page from somebody’s sketchbook and checkout seashell drawing tattoos.
@kass.tattoo / Instagram
7. Colorful Seashell Tattoo
If you’re already getting something that’s water-themed, it can be great to add some bursts of color to bring the whole piece to life. You can go realistic or keep it simple, either way, you really can’t go wrong with colorful seashell tattoos.
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8. Watercolor seashell tattoo
Much like the colorful seashells we just looked at, adding some flair to your body ink project by getting watercolor seashell tattoos will change the whole piece. Watercolor is fitting for the sea because, well, that should be clear (no pun intended), but the outcome is meant to resemble a painting.
@jimiivinstattoo / Instagram
9. Realistic Seashell Tattoo
If abstract isn’t your thing, there’s nothing wrong with getting beautiful, realistic seashell tattoos. Seashells are naturally stunning, just imagine that exact natural image plastered on your arm and you’ll be looking at a realistic seashell tattoo. Beautiful and captivating any realistic tattoo can be just as jaw-dropping as abstract styles.
@stagelefttattoo / Instagram
10. Seashell and Rose Tattoo
If you are interested in getting more than just a seashell tattoo but don’t exactly want a giant sleeve, consider adding a rose tattoo to the design. Seashell and rose tattoos capture the protective elements of seashells and toss in the ɱaпy different meanings behind different types of roses. Whether you’re trying to double up on tattoo meaning or just think roses look cool (because we all know they do), these tattoos are absolutely worth considering.
@tobι̇asschneidertattoo / Instagram
11. Horn Shell Tattoo
Horn seashell tattoos are known as signs of prosperity and abundance, if you like the sounds of those two words, these could be good symbols for you to adorn. A long and slick horn shell tattoo will look great on an arm or a leg, but you can probably fit it anywhere your heart desires if your tattoo artist agrees with your decision.
@southpaw.stipple / Instagram
12. Conch Shell Tattoo
Conch shells are signs of female fertility, so if you are looking to have a kid soon and want to add some help with your body-ink energy, it might be nice to get conch shell tattoos for your cause. They are also some of the most amazing shells to look at in the wild so who cares if you aren’t having a kid, get a conch shell tattoo anyway.
@futuraboɱbarda / Instagram
13. X-Ray Seashell Tattoo
X-ray tattoos are some of the slickest types of tattoos we’ve seen, so of course, x-ray seashell tattoos are going to be amazing too. You can either go partial or full-body x-ray, but either way, people will be wowed by the abstract and clever new ink you get.
@samsara.tattoo / Instagram
14. Geometric seashell tattoo
Since we’re on the topic of abstract, here’s some geometric seashell tattoos. Geometric tattoos can be some of the wildest around, and that’s fitting for a shell found out in the wild. Some of the most hypnotizing types of tattoos you’ll find, make sure you don’t get lost in your geometric seashell tattoos when you’re riding the ocean waves.
@matt_rinks_ghosttown / Instagram
15. Blackwork Seashell Tattoo
If you’ve been reading our articles, you’ll know we love blackwork. Blackwork seashell tattoos are another type that you just can’t go wrong with. Nearly anything you do with the deep, deep darks is going to look amazing, and that goes for shells too. Find a good blackwork tattoo artist because you’ll be in a chair for a while so you want someone who knows what they’re doing.
@jasminwalshtattoo / Instagram
16. Seashell Sleeve Tattoo
Full sleeve or half sleeve, leg or arm, it doesn’t matter which limb you decide to cover, a seashell is a perfect base for any sleeve. Seashell sleeve tattoos can be any style and are guaranteed to be awesome, but blackwork or watercolor shell tattoos can look particularly impressive as the focal point of seashell sleeves.
@inkstattoopune / Instagram
17. Seashell Foot Tattoo
Maybe you want to hide your seashell tattoo, or maybe you want your foot to blend into the sand at the beach…or you might just want to have a seashell on your foot. Whatever the reason, if it’s on your foot it’s not going to be very big, so choose your seashell foot tattoos wisely. A nice traditional or realistic seashell on the foot will get a compliment from anyone who sees it.
@berenice.tattoo / Instangram
18. Seashell Hand Tattoo
Another great option for some discrete yet stylish tattoos are finger seashell tattoos. You can have them a little hidden by using the inside portions of your fingers as a canvas, or if you don’t care about secrecy, you can flaunt it like a ring. It doesn’t matter if your finger seashell tattoos are tiny, they can still speak volumes.
@blackdrop.tattoo / Instagram
19. Seashell Back Tattoo
Seashell back tattoos are where you can go the craziest with your seashell tattoo ideas. The back is typically the largest canvas on the huɱaп body, and you can fit a LOT of ink. We all have our personal favorites, but any style of seashell tattoos will look awesome occupying a back piece, so get together with your favorite tattooist and get creative! Just keep in mind, the more ink the more pain, so it can be good to get a few smaller tattoos to start on your back that you can build off of first.
@dark_mark_maker / Instagram
20. Seashell Ankle Tattoo
Rounding out this group are seashell ankle tattoos. The ankle is sort of a playful spot to have inked, and that makes it the prime location for seashell tattoos. Anyone who has ever been to the beach as a kid played with seashells, so seashell ankle tattoos are great for those of us who grew up beach bums and saw shells at our feet every ᴛι̇ɱe we hit the sand.
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Seashell Tattoo FAQ:
What does a seashell tattoo mean?
Seashells can mean ɱaпy things, and you can always place your own special meaning on whatever shell tattoo you choose. Typically they represent protection, health and a love of the ocean. Seashell tattoos are the ulᴛι̇ɱate way to show your admiration of nature or your desire to protect those around you.
Are seashells good or bad luck?
Seashells are believed to bring good luck to those close to the sea, a symbol of communication, healthy homes, and sound relationships. This symbolism does not only apply to physical shells but can be a good luck tattoo charm as well. Place the tattoo somewhere special like the forearm, behind the ear or on the chest to make it extra special.
Why are seashells important?
Seashells are an integral part of coastal ecosystems, they help provide essential needs for wildlife, like material for nests, places for vulnerable prey to hide, and shelter. The seashell’s multifaceted uses mean that your tattoo can represent just about anything under the sun (or ocean).