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Crying Heart Tattoo Meaning with 101+ Awesome Images for You

by Sherri Owens

The crying heart tattoo is a classic design that symbolizes sadness, grief, sorrow, heartbreak, loss of a loved one, and sometimes, happiness and joy.

For most people who request the crying heart tattoo, it represents heartbreak usually from a romantic relationship. However, I've had several requests where the crying heart tattoo was done to signify happiness.

There are several crying heart tattoo designs you can get, but here are the top 101+ tattoos I've come across. Before we get into the images, let's look at the crying heart tattoo meanings.

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Crying Heart Tattoo Demystified

The crying heart tattoo meaning could mean different things. For some people, a crying heart tattoo represents the feeling of sadness, grief, broken heart, or sorrow. For others, it may represent deep and overwhelming love that has been lost.

History of Crying Heart Tattoo

A classic Western tattoo artist named Bert Grimm is credited with the creation of the crying heart tattoo.

This tattoo was popularized in the twentieth century when western tattooing was finding its place. The idea of a crying heart tattoo was rooted in the traditional tattoo designs of heart tattoos.

Rise of Crying Heart Tattoo

Crying heart tattoos have had a resurgence in the last couple of years and stand as a favorite tattoo design of traditional ink lovers. The crying heart tattoo design is incredibly beautiful and meaningful. They represent deep personal meanings and also show inspiration, bonding, and a connection to someone.

On most occasions, crying heart tattoos are done to symbolize a situation of sad experiences or sorrows. However, crying heart tattoos are also done to represent romantic love life, joy, or happiness.

There are several meanings attached to the crying heart tattoo design. We will be looking at them below.

Connection

A crying heart tattoo symbolizes a deep connection to someone. It depicts a strong bond with someone you have a powerful affection for, like a family member, friend, lover, or significant other. The heart in the crying heart tattoo signifies love, beauty, and hope.

Broken Heart

Crying heart tattoos are usually done to represent a broken romantic relationship. The tears from the eyes in the tattoo highlight that an individual is sad about something.

If you've ever had a broken heart, or your relationship ended despite all the effort you put in, you can get the classic design of the crying heart tattoo to represent that.

Happiness

Have you ever been so happy that you burst into tears? Then you might understand why crying heart tattoos can be done to express joy or happiness.

When you're getting a crying heart tattoo to signify happiness, ensure that the tattoo doesn't look too sad. You can do this by adding colors to the tattoo or asking your tattoo artist to make the heart look more neutral compared to those representing heartbreaks.

Death

They say you will never know how much pain comes with the death of a loved one until you experience it. A great way to release all that pain and hurt trapped in your heart after the loss of a loved one is by getting a crying heart tattoo.

You can add the name, date, or anything that reminds you of the person to the tattoo to make it more personal and closer to your heart. Most broken heart tattoos representing lost loved ones are done using black ink.

How Crying Heart Tattoo is Designed

A crying heart tattoo is a traditional design that is mostly drawn with black ink. It is depicted with a crack down the middle of a broken heart. Sometimes, a blue heart with red tears is inked by the tattoo artist to symbolize grief, sorrow, and sadness. Other times, it is designed with stitches running through the heart to symbolize a recovery from heartbreak, suffering, sadness, grief, and sorrow.

101+ Crying Heart Tattoo Ideas

All crying heart tattoo work well on the arm, chest, stomach, forearm, leg, and thighs. However, the long and slightly broad space of the arm and forearm makes the tattoo look great and perfectly placed when done here.

Arm Crying Heart Tattoo Ideas

There is no limit to what you can make your crying heart arm tattoo look like. You can get a tattoo that features the heart facing upward or downward. Adding colors generally work to make the design look more appealing.

Grey Crying Heart Biceps Tattoo

Image by @inkoretattoo via Instagram

Pearls Frame on Crying Heart Arm Tattoo

Image by @vvxtattoos via Instagram

Black and Grey Crying Heart Elbow Tattoo

Image by @hopehearttattoo via Instagram

White Tears on Crying Heart Arm Tattoo

Image by @inkedbymiters via Instagram

Colorful Tiger and Crying Heart Arm Tattoo

Image by @forevertruetattoo via Instagram

Pearls Frame on Red Crying Heart Thigh Tattoo

Image by @kawaii_tattoo via Instagram

Black and Grey Crying Heart Elbow Tattoo

Image by @_miss_marla_ via Instagram

Round Cheeks on Crying Heart Tattoo

Image by @rightinthetrash via Instagram

Broken Crying Heart Arm Tattoo

Image by @gabbybernthaltattoo via Instagram

Flowers and Red Crying Heart Forearm Tattoo

Image by @sacredartstudio via Instagram

Crying Heart with Two Pairs of Eyes Arm Tattoo

Image by @laceinyourface_space via Instagram

Black and Grey Crying Heart Biceps Tattoo

Image by @benlandreville via Instagram

Colorful Crying Heart with Piecing Tattoo

Image by @jerryjames_tattoos via Instagram

Black Crying Heart Biceps Tattoo

Image by @irenavrtovec via Instagram

Black Crying Heart Forearm Tattoo

Image by @juandegonell via Instagram

Grey Crying Heart Biceps Tattoo

Image by @misspokestattoo via Instagram

Blue Eyed Crying Hearts Biceps Tattoo

Image by @mikereedtattoo via Instagram

Black and Grey Crying Heart Arm Tattoo

Image by @lianatattoos via Instagram

Grey Shaded Crying Heart Arm Tattoo

Image by @gfoxtattoos via Instagram

Black and Grey Crying Heart Arm Tattoo

Image by @newtribetattoo via Instagram

Lady Face on Crying Heart Arm Tattoo

Image by @katcorneytattoo via Instagram

Black Crying Heart Elbow Tattoo

Image by @secondsighttattooparlour via Instagram

Crying Heart with Third Eye Arm Tattoo

Image by @kneedlez via Instagram

Crying Heart with Black and Red Tears Arm Tattoo

Image by @timbecktattoos via Instagram

Four Eyed Crying Heart Arm Tattoo

Image by @punk.ink via Instagram

Black and Grey Crying Heart Arm Tattoo

Image by @rigastintetattoo via Instagram

Chest Crying Heart Tattoo Ideas

It makes sense to get a pretty simple crying heart tattoo close to your heart to serve as a symbol of the feeling radiating from there.

If you love large tattoos, a chest or back crying heart tattoo will be the perfect choice to help you create an amazing tattoo.

Daggers and Crying Heart Stomach Tattoo

Image by @killsworth_andvintagekarmatattoos via Instagram

Birds and Stars with Crying Heart Chest Tattoo

Image by @k.uptontattoosandtattoos.ku via Instagram

Butterfly and Crying Heart Chest Tattoo

Image by @b.c.tattoo via Instagram

Red Crying Heart Chest Tattoo

Image by @timbecktattoos via Instagram

Stomach-crying Heart Tattoo Ideas

Most of these heart tattoo designs will look incredibly good on any part of the body and the stomach region is no different. Here are some crying heart tattoo designs done on the stomach for you to recreate.

Black Crying Heart Stomach Tattoo

Image by @inga.marx via Instagram

Black and Grey Crying Heart Stomach Tattoo

Image by @creepy.grrl via Instagram

Bird and Crying Heart Stomach Tattoo

Image by @metamorphtattoo via Instagram

Upside-down Crying Heart Stomach Tattoo

Image by @kneedlez via Instagram

Black Crying Heart Stomach Tattoo

Image by @paid.in.teeth via Instagram

Mystical Crying Heart Ribs Tattoo

Image by @philrowland via Instagram

Forearm Crying Heart Tattoo Ideas

The forearm crying heart tattoo designs are very popular because the forearm is often exposed, making it easy to flex your stylish tattoo with style.

Clown Crying Heart Forearm Tattoo

Image by @djxrdxn.ttt via Instagram

Black Crying Heart Forearm Tattoo

Image by @___alex.art___ via Instagram

Colored Crying Heart Forearm Tattoo

Image by @mcilvennytattooer via Instagram

Leaves and Crying Heart Forearm Tattoo

Image by @isabellmira.tattoo via Instagram

Lady Face Crying Heart Forearm Tattoo

Image by @jospasarotattoo via Instagram

Broken Crying Heart Forearm Tattoo

Image by @modernruintattoo via Instagram

Traditional Crying Heart Forearm Tattoo

Image by @sevenstonesbristol via Instagram

Big Eyes on Crying Heart Forearm Tattoo

Image by @kurrstradamus via Instagram

Dagger and Crying Heart Forearm Tattoo

Image by @wildwounds via Instagram

Grey Crying Heart Forearm Tattoo

Image by @___minimiriandatelier_fuchsbau via Instagram

Colored Crying Heart with Closed Eyes Forearm Tattoo

Image by @templegardenstattoo via Instagram

Black Shaded Crying Heart Forearm Tattoo

Image by @zerotattoogallery via Instagram

Grey Shaded Crying Heart Forearm Tattoo

Image by @nadadora.tattoo via Instagram

Broken Crying Heart Forearm Tattoo

Image by @reverie_tattoos via Instagram

Bold Black Crying Heart Forearm Tattoo

Image by @mknxbasei via Instagram

Grey Crying Heart Forearm Tattoo

Image by @tribosurbanaslra via Instagram

Grey Shaded Crying Heart Forearm Tattoo

Image by @tattoohandy via Instagram

Black and Grey Crying Heart Forearm Tattoo

Image by @dredsoull via Instagram

Colored Dagger and Crying Heart Forearm Tattoo

Image by @threekingsnyc via Instagram

Crying Heart with Big Eyes Forearm Tattoo

Image by @jonnyiwoc via Instagram

Shaking Hands and Crying Heart Arm Tattoo

Image by @monsterbobtattoos via Instagram

Realistic Face Crying Heart Forearm Tattoo

Image by @paulacastletattoos via Instagram

Black Crying Heart Forearm Tattoo

Image by @southeastustattoos via Instagram

Black Crying Heart Forearm Tattoo

Image by @jazeliztattoo via Instagram

Black Crying Heart Forearm Tattoo

Image by @callum_aan via Instagram

Small Hearts on Crying Heart Forearm Tattoo

Image by @jess.wii.tattoos via Instagram

Black Crying Heart Forearm Tattoo

Image by @solemn_rose via Instagram

Clown Heart and Crying Heart Forearm Tattoos

Image by @noodledead.ink via Instagram

Star and Black Crying Heart Arm Tattoo

Image by @mygamedoesnthaveaname via Instagram

Legs Crying Heart Tattoo Ideas

Crying heart tattoos are also beautifully drawn on the legs and they look quite stunning when done here. It is also a great tattoo option if you've got lovely legs that you can show off. However, people might see the crying heart tattoo and assume you must be sad. So you should exercise caution when getting a crying heart tattoo here.

Black and Grey Crying Hearts Faces Tattoo

Image by @solemn_rose via Instagram

Small Greyscale Crying Heart Leg Tattoo

Image by @ali_crawley via Instagram

Skull and Crying Heart Tattoo

Image by @monsterbobtattoos via Instagram

Grey Crying Heart Leg Tattoo

Image by @phillygtattoos via Instagram

Crying Heart with Closed Eyes Leg Tattoo

Image by @evamink_ via Instagram

Black and Grey Crying Heart Leg Tattoo

Image by @nicholasleetattoo via Instagram

Bold Black Ink Crying Heart Leg Tattoo

Image by @sonnybrowntattoo via Instagram

Woman Face Crying Heart Leg Tattoo

Image by @solemn_rose via Instagram

Colorful Crying Heart Leg Tattoo

Image by @darbytattoos via Instagram

Smiling and Crying Heart Legs Tattoos

Image by @jadehazetattoo via Instagram

Devil Face Crying Heart Leg Tattoo

Image by @solemn_rose via Instagram

Sparkles and Crying Heart Leg Tattoo

Image by @caroljtattoo via Instagram

Black and Grey Crying Heart Leg Tattoo

Image by @joannaxtina via Instagram

Green Eyed Crying Heart Leg Tattoo

Image by @sonnybrowntattoo via Instagram

Black Crying Heart Leg Tattoo

Image by @ashestattoo via Instagram

Black Shaded Crying Heart Leg Tattoo

Image by @heartcruz via Instagram

Old Face Crying Heart Foot Tattoo

Image by @babyjesus_tattoos via Instagram

Heart Cheeks Crying Heart Tattoo

Image by @jess.wii.tattoos via Instagram

Butterfly and Crying Heart Leg Tattoo

Image by @kesi.ink via Instagram

Sparkles and Crying Heart Leg Tattoo

Image by @itssvink via Instagram

Black and Grey Crying Heart Leg Tattoo

Image by @paid.in.teeth via Instagram

Black Crying Heart Leg Tattoo

Image by @somestattoo via Instagram

Barb Wire Crying Heart Leg Tattoo

Image by @erininnestattoos via Instagram

Blue Eyes on Crying Heart Foot Tattoo

Image by @sideshowbrian via Instagram

Thigh Crying Heart Tattoo Ideas

Want a crying heart tattoo on your thighs? Here are some tattoo designs for you to try. If you don't want to recreate the tattoo exactly how it's seen here, you can ask your tattoo artist for suggestions on how to make your tattoo design different and unique.

Colored Crying Heart Thigh Tattoo

Image by @freeasdeer via Instagram

Black Crying Heart Thigh Tattoo

Image by @rakim.tattoos via Instagram

Crying Heart with Mountains Thigh Tattoo

Image by @mikereedtattoo via Instagram

Crying Heart Sinking in Tears Thigh Tattoo

Image by @mlt_tattoo via Instagram

Black and Grey Crying Heart Thigh Tattoo

Image by @marc.kirchhoff.tattoo via Instagram

Colored Flower and Crying Heart Thigh Tattoo

Image by @tats_by_hats via Instagram

Devil Face Crying Heart Thigh Tattoo

Image by @s0ftshellkrab via Instagram

Girl Face Crying Heart Thigh Tattoo

Image by @diana.malo via Instagram

Framed Crying Heart Thigh Tattoo

Image by @timbecktattoos via Instagram

Butterfly and Crying Heart Thigh Tattoo

Image by @mattburgdorf via Instagram

Angel and Crying Heart Thigh Tattoo

Image by @byrd_tattoos via Instagram

Red Crying Heart Thigh Tattoo

Image by @ianmauriceart via Instagram

Crying Heart with Black Tears Thigh Tattoo

Image by @tifftats via Instagram

Black Crying Heart Thigh Tattoo

Image by @lovettetattoos via Instagram

Flowers and Crying Heart Thigh Tattoo

Image by @basttattoo_ via Instagram

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does a Heart Tattoo Mean Anything?

The heart tattoo generally means love. It can sometimes be a symbol of devotion and passion for something.

2. What Do Sacred Heart Tattoos Mean?

The sacred heart tattoo is a religious tattoo that serves as a guide for spiritual people, steering their behavior, and how they respond and react to people and their environment.

The sacred heart tattoo serves as a reminder of your sacred heart and helps guide you when you are straying from the right path.

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