I think dice tattoos are a good idea if you're someone who likes to take risks. But at the same time, I'd say that dice tattoos can be fun if you like board games or are into gambling.
So, a few days ago, I did a lucky dice tattoo for a client who wanted to show how the odds were always in his favor. While sketching it, it kind of hit me that I've done a bunch of different dice tattoos for clients before. So, I thought it would be a good idea to take a look at some interesting designs and touch on what they can potentially mean.
Here are all the best dice tattoo ideas around.
A lucky dice tattoo can be a way to say that the odds are always in your favor. So, in a way, it can be a reminder to people to not bet against you cause you always win. If you're wondering how to go about a lucky dice design, you can keep it simple and just tattoo the number '7' next to some rolling dice. 7 is universally considered a lucky number in case you didn't know.
I also have to say that the tattoo can be a way to bring good fortune into your life. This might be exactly what you want to hear if you're more superstitious.
Image by @bradleyshaz via Instagram
Image by @snakelicausi and northshoretattooco via Instagram
Image by @tatouageroyal via Instagram
When you think about dice, you usually don't think of them as being very colorful. But if you're a board game extraordinaire, you'd know that they actually come in all kinds of colors and shapes. So I think a fun tattoo idea would be some colorful and whimsical dice. You can potentially get something really eye-catching tattooed if you choose this design.
Image by @weebbookclub via Instagram
Image by @pixiekaletattoos via Instagram
Image by @liquidcouragetattoo via Instagram
Image by @greasersink via Instagram
Eyes are big-time symbols for perception and awareness, which isn't much of a surprise since they are how you see after all. By combining eyes into a dice tattoo design, you can touch on being aware of all the choices or risks you roll. Whenever I do tattoos like this, I try to make the eyes look more realistic for an extra pop which can be something you do too.
Image by @adailaadores via Instagram
Image by @wes_tattoos via Instagram
Image by @danieljosephtattoo via Instagram
Flaming dice tattoos look really cool but there's also added symbolism to them. The flames can represent passion and intensity so it can be a reminder to brace adventure and take more risks. All around, I feel like this would be the dice tattoo for you if you're someone who lives on the edge.
Image by @big__kels via Instagram
Image by @goldwrks via Instagram
Dice are a big part of gambling games so you can play with your dice tattoo to show how much of a vice gambling is to you. This shouldn't be hard to do since you have so many different gambling-related motifs that you can add, like casino chips, poker cards, and slot machines.
Even if you don't like gambling, you might still like this tattoo design since it can emphasize taking risks.
Image by @bodyarts_blr via Instagram
Image by @theunisawhetattoos187 via Instagram
Image by @goldenanchortattoos via Instagram
Image by @twisted_ink_ballito via Instagram
Image by @danczar_ via Instagram
If you want a show-stopping dice tattoo, I have just the suggestion for you - why not do a realistic dice tattoo? With a 3D effect added to the piece, you'd have a dice tattoo that literally pops. You can make it as a part of a larger design to make sure all the little details you've added pop, and a suggestion of mine would be to do a realistic dice roll with a hand about to let go for a super dynamic design.
But I do have something to say. Not everyone can nail hyper-realistic pieces, so you need to be mindful of the tattoo artist you work with if you want something that looks good.
Image by @savizo_tattoos via Instagram
All of the above tattoo ideas are great but if you want something that's less out there, you can go for a small dice tattoo. So basically, you would take any of the tattoo designs I already touched on and then scale it down. But if that's not discreet enough for you, I have another suggestion - you can always do your dice tattoo as an outline design. It would just be a black ink outline without any coloring or shading inside.
Image by @mof.ideal.tattoo via Instagram
Image by @dddr.jones via Instagram
If your dice tattoo means a lot to you, you can go ahead and get it tattooed on your chest. The tattoo would be near your heart at all times after all. Just remember that chest tattoos can hurt since there's thin skin here. I'd definitely avoid getting a larger design here since you'll have to sit for a bunch of sessions.
Image by @black_square_tattoo via Instagram
You can do your dice tattoo on your arm if you want everyone to see it, especially if you get it somewhere like on your forearm. However, you can take it up a notch and get a full sleeve done. Basically, a full sleeve is a larger design that stretches from the top all the way to the bottom of your arm.
Now, if you're not a fan of how full sleeves sound, I get it. They can take a while plus are also expensive. So, you might want to talk to your tattoo artist about a half-sleeve instead. You'll be able to get a dice tattoo that goes halfway up your arm.
Image by @mikemikeska via Instagram
Image by @artblackvibe via Instagram
If you're into big-dice tattoos, you can go ahead and get your back tattooed. The back is by far the largest part of the body part to tattoo, so you can go for a concept that is as elaborate as you want. The thing is, though, although you get a lot of real estate with back tattoos, they just tend to hurt a lot. There are a lot of sensitive nerve endings here. This might scare you, but the last client I did a back coverup on almost fainted on me.
At the end of the day, I would suggest that you avoid getting your back tattooed if you don't have the best pain tolerance or if you're new to tattooing.
However, I must say that back tattoos are super discreet. To some people, this might be a consolation for how painful they are. But anyway, no one would be able to see your dice tattoo on this part of your body when you have a shirt on. This would be perfect if you work in a more strict corporate environment.
Image by @yeontaan via Instagram
You can get your dice tattoo on your hand if you want something more eye-catching than just a regular arm tattoo. But hands aren't the largest spaces to work with, so keep in mind that you can't get anything too elaborate done.
Also, if you want to make your hand tattoo a tad more exciting, you can get it tattooed on your palm. However, palm tattoos can be tricky to look after when you first get them. Not only can you not get them wet but you can't expose them to the sun either, which is something that will be easier said than done.
Image by @fatcattattoo916 via Instagram
Image by @gangatattoos via Instagram
Image by @terryn_tattoos via Instagram
Last but not least, you can do your dice tattoo on your leg. Just like getting your back tattooed, you can get a pretty big-dice tattoo here. I feel like it would work just perfectly for a big realistic dice tattoo design. And you might like that leg tattoos don't hurt that much either, especially when it comes to parts of your leg like your upper outer thigh.
You also might like that you can get a sleeve on your legs too. Once again, it's up to you to whether to go for a half or full-sleeve dice tattoo design.
Image by @cajun_ink_tattooz via Instagram
Image by @bigcattattoos via Instagram
By getting a dice tattoo, you can show that you are ready to face whatever life throws at you. At the same time, you can play with your dice tattoo for some added meaning. Like if you do a burning dice tattoo design, you can show how much you love taking risks, while a lucky dice tattoo can be a way to show people not to bet against you.
Of course, the meaning behind your dice tattoo can also change depending on the placement you choose. Probably the most notable thing to bring up is if you decide to get the dice tattoo on your chest, you can show how much of a personal significance the symbolism behind dice means to you.
There definitely are a lot of dice tattoos around, with each of them being pretty interesting designs. All in all, this ultimate guide ran through over 25 awesome dice tattoos. Hopefully, you found everything that I ran through useful, and know which of the different dice tattoo designs to talk about with your tattoo artist for your next session!