The Paper Airplane Tattoo Meaning and 110 Tattoos to Take You to New Heights!

A paper airplane tattoo can represent childhood, big dreams, freedom, new beginnings, travel, and much more.

Paper airplane tattoos are one of my favorite designs. This is because each of my clients have beautiful and moving reasons for why they have wanted to get this tattoo. So, throughout the years, I have learned from their stories.

In this post, I will explain each paper airplane tattoo meaning and show you some beautiful tattoos to go along with them. Let's get started!

What is the Meaning of a Paper Airplane?

Did you know that there are several meanings behind the humble paper airplane and paper airplane tattoo? Here is what the paper plane can mean, tattooed on your body:

The Paper Airplane and Childhood

One of the biggest association with the paper airplane is childhood. After all, how many hours did you spend learning how to make a paper plane, fly it, and figure out how to improve on the design?

In a sense, paper planes could represent a simpler time when you were able to focus on things that truly mattered. When you weren't weighed by worries or thoughts of the future. You could truly enjoy the moment.

In this case, a paper airplane tattoo meaning is associated with simplicity and can be a reminder for you to still find joy in the small things in life.

The paper airplane tattoo can also be linked to reminding you of the big dreams that you used to think about when you were a kid. Just because you are all grown up doesn't mean you have to leave those behind. So, if you are looking to tap into your dreamer side, this is the ideal tattoo design for you.

The Japanese meanings of the paper plane tattoo include youth and whimsical ideas.

Paper Airplane Tattoo and Freedom

In Western countries, the paper plane and the paper airplane tattoo meaning is associated with freedom.

This has to do with the way the paper airplane takes flight. Once it is thrown up, most origami plane movements are guided by the wind. This means that the paper airplane moves in whichever way the wind blows.

This represents a carefree attitude and an ability to just go with the flow. If you're someone who has this kind of personality or if you need to remind yourself to let loose, this is the perfect tattoo for you.

It can also be an excellent way to remind yourself that you have little control over your life. There is a good chance that your path will be decided by forces outside your control.

So, instead of worrying about the things that you can't predict or change, it is better to just sit back and wait for the adventure that the universe has planned for you.

Paper Airplane and Your Journey

In general, paper planes are associated with movement. So, a paper airplane tattoo meaning could be the journey of your life.

Or, more accurately, the paper airplane represents starting your journey. After all, you don't quite know where your plane will end up, but it will get to the right place in the end.

This kind of paper airplane tattoo meaning is great if you're feeling stuck in your life. It can be a push that you need to take a leap of faith and make a change in your life. This is something you may need to do even if you aren't sure how it will work out for you.

In this sense, a paper airplane tattoo meaning would be a new beginning.

Paper Airplanes and Letting Go

As you let go of the paper airplane, allowing it to fly, a paper airplane tattoo can represent letting go.

This could be in regard to a tough breakup, a traumatic past, or anything else you want to leave in the past. The paper airplane tattoo is a symbol of you moving forward, starting anew, and giving yourself permission to reach a new stage in life.

Such a tattoo could be just the push that you need to make these changes in your life.

Paper Airplanes and Travel

Sometimes, the meaning behind the paper airplane tattoo is actually quite straightforward - it has to do with traveling.

People use the paper airplane tattoo as an alternative to a regular airplane tattoo. This is because paper airplanes are a lot more whimsical and fun, and you can also tack on a special meaning of your own to it.

The Best Paper Airplane Tattoo Designs

Here are the gorgeous designs you should consider if you want to get a paper airplane tattoo:

Simple Paper Airplane Tattoos

If you prefer a simple plane tattoo design, you are certainly not alone. The traditional paper airplane tattoo is absolutely adorable.

You don't have to worry about describing what type of airplane design you want your tattoo artist to do as the setup is very minimalistic.

Best of all, with this simple design, you can keep the tattoo as small as you like.

Airplane Tattoos with a Heart

Of course, if you want to add more elements to your paper plane tattoo, you absolutely can.

A great way to keep the paper airplane tattoo design minimalistic but add a special meaning to it is to add a little heart at the end. One meaning of this paper airplane tattoo is that you carry your love wherever you go.

Paper Airplane Tattoos with a Smoke Trail

You know that with paper airplanes, there is no smoke trailing after it. However, when you get a paper airplane tattoo, you have a full creative license and can create whatever artwork you want.

As you will see with the following paper airplane tattoos, there are a lot of beautiful and colorful ways to represent this smoke trail.

Travel Related Paper Airplane Tattoos

The most common option for a travel related paper airplane tattoo is to get a paper airplane circling the globe. You can also have the paper airplane traveling across a map.

If you would like to get more creative, you can add other travel elements to your paper airplane tattoo.

Here are the tattoo designs that can inspire your own paper airplane tattoo:

Dreamer Paper Airplane Tattoos

This is such a beautiful paper airplane tattoo concept - a paper airplane with its shadow being a real airplane. There are a couple of different meanings here.

This paper airplane tattoo may be a representation of you versus your future self. The paper airplane is your current station in life and the real airplane could be the goal you are working towards.

The other meaning behind this tattoo is how you should see yourself. Always see the potential in yourself and what you are capable of achieving in your life.

Among the Stars Paper Airplane Tattoos

With this tattoo, the paper airplane is featured among the stars. It could mean that you can achieve all your dreams, regardless of how helpless you may feel.

This kind of tattoo is also an excellent reminder to always dream big and aim high. Remember, even if you miss the moon you will still be among the stars.

Paper Airplane Tattoos with Phrases

If you want to apply your own meaning to your paper airplane tattoo, the best way to do this is to include an important phrase along with your paper airplane tattoo.

This will ensure that you are always reminded of the important things in life.

You may be surprised to learn just how many meanings there are to the paper airplane tattoo. Now that you're aware of how to depict them in your tattoo, it will be a lot easier to choose the right tattoo design for you.