From designs with similar meanings to those with contrasting ones, I have collected a variety of ambigram tattoos for you to peruse through!
As a tattoo artist, ambigram tattoos are some of the trickiest tattoos to manage. However, I do love the challenge that they pose and it is always a fun little puzzle for me to figure out!
In this post, I will show you the top ambigram tattoo ideas and walk you through some of the meanings associated with the design.
Here are the top ambigram tattoo designs for you to choose from:
The family forever ambigram tattoo is one of the more popular designs and it is easy to see why. This tattoo has such a strong message behind it - that you are deeply committed to your family. The Family Forever Ambigram tattoo also states that you have ties to your family that can't ever be broken.
Image by @captaincubetattoo via Instagram
At the same time, this is one of the more organic ambigram tattoos. This makes it a lot simpler to read each word regardless of the direction that the tattoo is facing.
Now, there are a few different design options available for your family forever ambigram tattoo. If you want, you can choose to keep things simple. This means that you use a simple black font with medium-thick lines.
Image by @antti.tattoo via Instagram
If this feels a little basic to you, there's no need to worry as you can easily choose a different design. Here, the words have to be filled in. Due to this, you are able to fill in the words with a color of your choosing.
Image by @thejamielaw via Instagram
In case you would like to add a bit more dimension and interest to your design, then you can also add in some shading. Just make sure that the shading effect on each section of the ambigram tattoo matches up.
This is yet another really cool ambigram tattoo to get. After all, are there two more contrasting concepts than life and death? What I like about this tattoo is the slightly gothic font that depicts the heaviness of the subject matter of the tattoo.
Image by @wallstreet_tattoos via Instagram
Of course, keep in mind that getting this ambigram tattoo inked on you isn't a negative thing. This can also just be a depiction that we are all a part of the circle of life. In many instances, there can be no life without death and no death without life.
The Sinner Saint Ambigram tattoo is a pretty popular option too. This is largely because these two words have opposing meanings to each other.
Image by @stephanie_no_love via Instagram
At the same time, it describes most people quite well. After all, being human means that no one is quite a sinner or a saint. Rather, there are good things and bad things about each individual. For the most part, there is a balance between the good and the bad.
Image by @inkandirontattoos210 via Instagram
Now, one thing that you will notice about this kind of ambigram tattoo is that the font and the outline tend to be rather similar. Most people choose to have a more simplistic approach to this tattoo because the words saint and sinner are quite different to one another.
Image by @jamesfoltz via Instagram
As a result, your tattoo artist has to make a bit more of an effort when trying to use one word to spell out the other. To ensure that both can be easily read, it is best to keep the font fairly minimalistic.
Of course, this doesn't mean you have to be stuck with a boring ambigram tattoo. Once you have the outline down, you can decorative elements to the outer portion of the word.
This ambigram tattoo has a similar sentiment - it shows that no person is all good or bad. Rather, we are all doing a balancing act as far as morality is concerned.
Image by @debby3000tattoo via Instagram
What I like about this cool ambigram tattoo, though, is that the words are of a similar length. So, you have a bit more room to play around with the design.
As you will see from the above tattoo, if you want to make the design a bit more interesting, you can also add a tiny halo and a small horn to take this tattoo to the next level.
Image by @junkie.tattoos via Instagram
This is such a meaningful and beautiful ambigram tattoo. This is because both words spell out things that are important to you.
Image by @that_dude_pac via Instagram
Another thing that I like about this ambigram tattoo is that it is a message to you - to remind yourself of the standards that you should hold others to - and it is a message to others as well, letting them know what you can offer them.
Image by @komcepts_designs via Instagram
This is another ambigram tattoo design with a lovely and strong meaning to it. Once again, with this kind of ambigram tattoo, you can advertise characteristics that are important to you and ones that you expect from others as well.
Image by @tamsinrosetattoo via Instagram
Hope and faith are two words that often go together. Although they have different meanings, they are interdependent to each other. This is because for you to have faith, you must have hope, and vice versa.
Image by @gypsysoultattoonj via Instagram
Therefore, the hope faith ambigram tattoo is a great way to remind you of how you need both of these elements in your life when times get tough.
One of the things that I like about the Hope Faith ambigram tattoo is that the words are of a similar length and the letters are similar enough that the word is legible in either rotation.
Image by @69_evolution_tattoo via Instagram
Due to this, you can actually get quite creative with how you design this ambigram tattoo. Take the following tattoo, for instance. It boasts a floral background that works really well with the meaning of this ambigram tattoo.
Image by @cbensonink via Instagram
This is actually the first time that I have come across a Faith Hope Love Ambigram tattoo but I absolutely love it! It is so beautifully and intricately designed - it looks more like a work of art than just an ambigram tattoo!
Image by @syahistudio via Instagram
Of course, since the faith hope love ambigram tattoo is more than two words, you can't have a traditional rotational ambigram tattoo. Instead, you have to arrange the words so that they form a square/diamond-like shape.
In addition to being absolutely stunning, I love the wholesome and positive meaning behind this tattoo.
This is an ambigram tattoo that expands on the multiple meanings of an emotion. And so, there are a few different ways that you can take this ambigram tattoo design.
Image by @petervincenttattooer via Instagram
Such a tattoo can be a suitable option for someone who thought they were falling in love but, in reality, were experiencing pain. Getting this ambigram tattoo inked on you could also signify that when you open yourself up to love you are also opening yourself up to pain.
Image by @dd.tatts via Instagram
The other great thing about this love pain ambigram tattoo is that the words are a similar length and many of the letters can be fashioned to look like one another. As a result, you can get a bit more creative with your design.
Image by @lukejordan_ink via Instagram
At one point in history, scientists believed that there were just four elements - earth, air, water, and fire. Of course, these days we know this isn't the case but these four concepts are still pretty important to us.
Image by @blam_tat via Instagram
After all, it can be argued that life wouldn't really exist without air, water, fire, and earth. Also, some people use these elements as categories for personality traits as well.
Well, it doesn't matter what meaning you apply to these concepts, there is no denying that they make for amazing ambigram tattoos!
Image by @sarah_jess__ via Instagram
What I really like about this tattoo design is that although it looks quite complex, it is based on a fairly simple design. So, you get to play around with a few different concepts.
You can go for the traditional diamond-shaped design if you like. However, if you would like to add some life and color to the tattoo, you can use green, blue, white, and red to emphasize the words earth, water, air, and fire.
Image by @yogo_18 via Instagram
If you would like to do something a little different, though, you can actually get these words in the shape of a circle. This design can be a little bit trickier to manage, though, so make sure to choose the right tattoo artists to help you out with it.
Now, these are beautiful ambigram tattoos, but they are also a little heartbreaking. For this kind of tattoo, the side facing other people reads I'm fine. The side facing you, however, reads save me.
Image by @sacred_grove_tattoo via Instagram
This is a good ambigram tattoo if you are someone who struggles to ask for help even when you are drowning. You may be used to putting on a brave face and pretending everything is alright, even with your closest friends and family members.
Image by @boodieinx via Instagram
At the same time, this ambigram tattoo can be a good reminder that you shouldn't pretend that you are alright and that you should let your loved ones help you when you need it the most.
Image by @martapoisontattoo via Instagram
Despite the words for each phrase appearing to be quite different, this tattoo can be designed rather easily. So, you can add some other decorative elements to the design if you would like.
Image by @amandakoztattoos via Instagram
This is a pretty unique and cool ambigram tattoo. One side of the tattoo reads beautiful and the other side reads imperfect.
Image by @cossiotattoo via Instagram
There are a few different meanings that you can derive from such an ambigram tattoo of course. However, I feel that the main one is that there is imperfection in all beauty. However, this doesn't lessen or tarnish this beauty but rather makes it more special.
This tattoo can be a great reminder for anyone who needs to remember to embrace their flaws or unique elements.
I have to admit that I am a bit obsessed with this tattoo design - you can't blame me as it is so cool! One side of the tattoo reads art & science while the other reads philosophy.
Image by @helvegen_studio via Instagram
Of course, one of the reasons that this ambigram tattoo works so well is because of the design. At the same time, I love the sentiment and meaning behind this tattoo.
It shows that to have a proper perspective of the world and to really understand everything around you, you require scientific, artistic, and philosophical knowledge.
This is another ambigram tattoo idea that I love! Here, the tattoo in one direction reads venom and in the other, it reads woman.
One of the reasons that this tattoo is so cool is due to the meaning behind the design. Sometimes, in certain societies, women can be seen as delicate and fragile creatures or they might see vulnerabilities in femininity. This tattoo is a statement that women can be a lot stronger than many people realize and that they can be capable of having enough of venom in them to protect themselves.
Image by @tara_tatu via Instagram
The other reason that this tattoo is a great one is that because these two words are so similar to one another, you can easily change up the design and create a unique style that is just right for you!
Image by @studio69tattoo via Instagram
Some people prefer ambigram tattoos that say the same thing regardless of which way you look at the word. If you are part of this group, then here are some beautiful ambigram tattoo designs for you to check out.
Image by @thesigner.ink via Instagram
These ambigram tattoo concepts are a little easier for the artist to manipulate. As a result, you do have the option of choosing from a wider variety of fonts. At the same time, there are more designs available to you as well.
Image by @nontharoam via Instagram
In case you want to lighten up your ambigram tattoo even more, you can throw in color and shading into the mix too!
These kinds of ambigram tattoo designs are truly something else! Here, you take the names of two people and turn them into an ambigram tattoo.
Image by @rahultulaskar via Instagram
It goes without saying that such ambigram tattoos require a great deal of skill. So, you will need to find an artist who is capable of creating this ambigram tattoo while still ensuring that each name is legible.
Image by @aakashchandani_ via Instagram
Here are some designs for you to check out so you have an idea of what to do with your own ambigram tattoo.
Image by @njoy_tattoo_studio via Instagram
It is easy to forget that there are also image ambigram tattoos too. Here, the image changes depending on the rotation of the tattoo.
Image by @luarastattoos via Instagram
One of the most common designs involves women and demons. You see a beautiful woman when the tattoo is facing one direction and a demon when it is flipped over.
Image by @kadyannetattoo via Instagram
Of course, you can also do this with animals as well - you see one animal in one rotation and a different one in the opposite direction.
Image by @jade_alexandra_tattoos via Instagram
Image by @darcynutt via Instagram
Image by @skinart_mag via Instagram
Image by @tattoo__collection__ via Instagram
Image by @tattoosnob via Instagram
Image by @adri_olala via Instagram
Image by @brittanysotoart via Instagram
Image by @paulabarretoart via Instagram
There is no denying that an ambigram tattoo can be pretty tricky to design. Despite this, there is actually a wide variety of words that you can use for your ambigram tattoo.
Of course, if you are choosing mirror ambigram tattoos, then this is an entirely different concept. Also known as a bilateral ambigram design, here the same word should be read in the right direction whether you are facing it or whether it is being read in its mirror reflection.
The first thing that I want to discuss, though, is the number of words that you can use in your ambigram tattoo.
The most common number of words for an ambigram tattoo is two. With this kind of ambigram tattoo, you can see one word when the tattoo is upright and a different one when it is flipped over.
However, you can actually have three or four words in your ambigram tattoo if you wish. However, as you can imagine, such ambigram tattoo designs can be even more difficult and complex to design and ink. Due to this, you are going to need the assistance of a next-level professional tattoo artist.
Now, let's take a look at the actual words that you can use for your ambigram tattoo. Before deciding the words, you need to determine what kind of message you want to send with your ambigram tattoo.
Some people want each word to be the exact opposite of the other word. One example of this would the word sinner that can be read as 'saint' when flipped upside down or vice versa.
This kind of ambigram tattoo is suitable when you want to create a contrast between the two words.
On the other hand, your ambigram tattoo can be designed so that one word adds meaning to the first word. A good example of this is the ambigram tattoo where the word family can be read in one direction and the word forever in the other direction.
This kind of ambigram tattoo helps to show that family is incredibly important to the person with the ink.
It should go without saying but an ambigram tattoo is one of the more complicated designs out there. This is especially true when you are dealing with two words that have vastly different spellings to one another.
Due to this, you should follow these tips to ensure that your ambigram tattoo is accurate and aesthetically pleasing:
There are different types of ambigram. So, your first order of business is to decide what kind of ambigram design you want.
First up, you have the natural ambigram tattoos. This typically refers to tattoos where you read the same word regardless of the rotation of the word. This can be a great ambigram tattoo to get if you want you and other people to read the same message.
The other kind of rotational ambigram tattoo is when you see one word when you read it in one direction and a different word when you read it in another direction. These two words can have similar meanings, one word can give the other word meaning, or you can have contrasting words.
Then you have chain ambigram tattoos. With a chain ambigram tattoo, you have an identical word repeating itself. However, these repeating words form a circle.
Then you have the figure-ground ambigram tattoos. This is where one word is spelled out within the negative spaces of the other word.
Keep in mind that not all ambigram tattoo designs are word-based. You can also have image-based ambigram tattoos. This is where the tattoo reveals one image when it is facing one direction and a different one when viewed upside down.
Technically, you can choose quite a few two words and find a way to create an ambigram tattoo out of them. However, not all of these tattoos will be as equally as legible as each other.
If the two words are significantly different, particularly in length or shared letters, creating an ambigram will require substantial effort from your artist.
In this case, you may find that one word is more legible than the other.
So, to maximize the legibility of your tattoo, make sure that the words are a similar length and have several letters in common.
I have said it before but I will say it again - an ambigram tattoo is difficult to design and just about as tricky to ink on your body.
Due to this, tattoo lovers of this design should work with an artist who has some experience in this matter. If your artist hasn't designed such tattoos before, then you may want to consider a regular artist who can arrange such a design.
Then, your tattoo artist will be able to adapt this design to a tattoo format.
Well, there you have it - all the ambigram tattoo ideas that you can possibly need! Not only can you gain inspiration from these designs but you can also figure out how to maneuver your own tattoo!
