The best way to begin tattoos is with small tattoo symbols. If you are looking for some cool ideas for your first tattoos, then this might be helpful. There are many things that you can think of when it comes to inking. From quotes to numbers and pictures, the variety of choices are countless. But these symbols here are totally awesome, and you might want to have them inked on your body. You can have them with small or medium size, in either color or black just the way you want. I bring 15 of the small tattoo symbols with their meanings for you to decide, so take a look!

1 Anchor image: Alex Timo The tattoo that is well-known among sailors as well as tough people is the anchor. The meaning of this tattoo is to stay strong no matter how hard life pushes you. Just like a ship, once it drops its anchor, nothing can take it anywhere. 2 Copper Symbol image: lunie Here we have the alchemy symbol of copper, looks awesome doesn’t it? And it has great meaning with the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite as well. The symbol also represents beauty, femininity, and creativity of the goddess herself. 3 Elephant image: Sarah Godefroid We’re talking about the strength, patience, determination, love, and loyalty here. An elephant is the strongest and biggest animal on land, and the tattoo simply indicates your ability to overcome any obstacles. If you are meant to be strong, be strong like an elephant. 4 Feather image: Lisa Marie Feather tattoo is the classic and beautiful tattoo with a lot of different meanings. The feather shows your free spirit and the desire to achieve anything you want to. It somehow also shows the sweet and soft feminine side as well. The placement of this tattoo is pretty much anywhere you like from your back to your finger or ankle. 5 Skull image: tumblr You know you like this tattoo if you are a badass. Skull is a cool and powerful tattoo that shows people ‘thou shall not mess with me’. 6 Swallow This was my very first tattoo, and a swallow tattoo has incredible meaning. In traditional American tattoo, a swallow was absolutely popular among sailors as the meaning of ‘always find their way’. Swallow also represents traveling, honesty, and love which is why it is the perfect choice for tattoo. 7 The Ankh image: Kat M Take a look at this awesome Egyptian symbol of life. Simple but cool, you might like it on your finger or your hand. 8 The Caduceus image: Pump Peelz Does this look familiar? Yes, it is the symbol that you may find in medical places like pharmacies and hospital. The Caduceus is the symbol of good health, while the wings represents the fastness and wit of Greek God Hermes. It is pretty awesome, this is the good choice if you are into Greek culture. 9 The Gibu Auja image: Richelle This is the Rune symbol back in the fifth century, ancient but gold I shall say. It is the symbol of luck that brings good fortune to those who have it. Since it looks cool and classic, I would have one someday. 10 The Greek Word Meraki image: andy_borneoink If you are a very creative person who always put your heart into something you do, this is your tattoo. The fact that it is written in Greek is one thing, and it represents passion is another cool thing. 11 The Latin Phrase image: LaRue ‘Ad Astra Per Aspera’ means Through Difficulties To The Stars, and it is meaningful. Life has a lot of hiccups in it, but at the end of the day we will reach our goal which is the stars. 12 The Malin Symbol image: Ivanka Herweijer You can turn the arrow to any destination you like, and this Swedish symbol still says setbacks are natural part of life. 13 The Vegvisir image: Роксана Шерр I wouldn’t call this small since it takes some space on the skin, but you can shrink its size. It is the symbol of compass in Icelandic culture, that means you will never lose your way. This is such a cool compass to have, I would recommend this. It suits both male and female as well. 14 Yin-Yang image: fabulousdesign It is the tattoo with deep meaning, and it is also the popular symbol among Eastern philosophy as well. As you can see, the two parts complete each other which means you have to balance things to achieve something. This is either good for first tattoo of yourself or with a best friend. 15 Zia Sun Symbol image: Reddit Sun is already meaningful, but with its ray shines to all 4 destinations like that makes it even more awesome. This tattoo is to remind that you can shine wherever you go, you just have to believe in yourself. No matter if you are a confident or insecure person, this symbol is just right for both. For some tattoo advice for beginners, click here to read more!