Whether you are talking sex appeal or fandom of the Rolling Stones, the lips tattoo is one that has been around for a long time. It’s got a really cool vibe and for being a feminine looking image, it screams, “bad ass”! If you are looking for a tattoo that sets the trend and still gives an old school look, the lips tattoo is the one for you.
In this post we are going to talk about the meaning of the lips tattoo and what the image has symbolized over time. We will discuss some of the different variations of this tattoo in addition to how people and groups have used the image of lips.
Lips Tattoo Meaning
Lips, particularly female, are used often as an image to represent erogenous and intimate activity, especially when pictured in a color or pattern associated with passion. The lips will usually look lifelike, as if someone has just kissed the owner of the lips tattoo wherever the tattoo is placed. These tattoos will often be found on the neck, the shoulder, or the arm, but it is a tattoo design that can be placed anywhere on the body.
Red lips are usually meant to convey sex appeal and kissing especially when placed in an intimate area like on the hips, neck, abdomen, etc. This is particularly true when lips are rendered like a lipstick print mark, leaving the impression of a kiss. These can be very personal tattoos, so the owners might keep them hidden or they might be very open about their meanings.
Red lips are used in this way because of their immediate connection to sensual themes and the taboo nature of those themes. The red lips, usually with an open mouth, are a symbol of counterculture in this way, disregarding the norm. If someone wants everyone to know that they are rebellious, then the red lips tattoo might just be the perfect design for them. They could also just want everyone to know that they are very sexual people and proud of it.
The image of lips can go beyond the sexual connections that are tied to the mouth, and serve as a representation of verbal discussion and communication. When depicted as closed lips, the image conveys a lack of communication or an inability. Someone who recognizes that they have problems communicating with others might get the lips tattoo to try to inspire themselves to be more open with others. The lips tattoo could also be for someone who prefers not to talk to others and gets the lips tattoo to make that message come across to those who approach them.
The image of lips can also symbolize a relationship. The lips or lip print can be that of a wife, girlfriend or any other loved one to serve as a reminder of that connection. The lips serve as a romantic symbol portraying the bond between two people, so in some cases both people in the relationship will get matching lips tattoos. Generally, this is an image of a non-platonic relationship, the symbol of lovers, but it’s not uncommon for friends (especially female) to get lips tattoos.
As you can see, there are many lips tattoo meanings and quite a few designs to choose from. They don’t usually hold extremely deep meanings to outsiders, but those who get the lips tattoos will usually give their own very important meanings to them. If you decide to get a lips tattoo, you should think about the exact design that you want and the location on your body that would give the lips tattoo as much meaning as possible.
Lips Tattoo Variations
Even though the lips tattoo seems pretty straight forward, there are some variations to this image that make slightly different tattoos that have different meanings. Slight changes in the mouth or tongue can change the lips tattoo from meaning one that into meaning something else. Below are a few examples of that for your reading pleasure.
Rocky Horror Lips Tattoo
Large, red lips are also associated with the cult film The Rocky Horror Picture Show, a movie that created a flamboyant counterculture in the late 1970s. Sometimes these lips tattoos will just be the lips themselves, or they can also be Dr. Frank-N-Furter, who was portrayed by actor Tim Curry in the famous film. These lips tattoos might not hold deep meanings, but they do hold significant meaning to those who love The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Rolling Stones Tattoo
In pop culture, red lips, with a tongue, are iconic to the rock band The Rolling Stones and have been used as their logo for decades. Someone who is a fan of The Rolling Stones will often show their loyalty to the band by getting this tattoo. However, some people simply like the band’s logo and will get it because they think the tattoo works for them.
Gang Lips Tattoo
Lips tattoos have been popular with gang members for many years now. The most common reason for a gang member to get a lips tattoo is because they know they are going to be in jail for a while and they want to have a clear reminder of their significant other. In these cases, the lips will be the exact shape of their wife or girlfriend’s. The significant others will often kiss a piece of paper with lipstick on to give the tattoo artists something to work with.
Sealed Lips Tattoo
Even more, lips can be rendered as tied or sewn shut, emphasizing a restriction set. These can be striking images, which is usually the point. Owners of sewn lips tattoos are often protesting something, so they want people to see the images. Sometimes the tattoo is just an image of sewn lips, while other people might want to either include text or an image to show specifically what they are protesting.
Sealed lips can also serve as a reminder to listen or think first before speaking, placing significance on the external factors that cause the internal to react.
Animal Lips/Teeth Tattoo
Gnarly looking animal mouths with teeth are one symbol of aggression. They might also represent the animal instincts or reptilian brains that reside deep within our bodies and souls. From wolves to lions, the animal mouth tattoo is one that speaks to the animal within all of us and on top of that, it looks great as long as the artist has the skills.
Cracked Lips Tattoo
The lips tattoo doesn’t only represent sensuality and sexuality, it can also symbolize physical and neurological disorders. A deep crack on the bottom lip of this tattoo symbolizes deep sadness or grief. The lips are a very telling art of the body as cracks in the corner can symbolize cancer in your life. Dry lips tattoo might mean a stomach disorder. Just like in life, the lips tattoo can symbolize issues you are having in your life without coming out and just saying it.
Facts About Lips
We all have lips, and they are a big factor in the way people think of us both in professional and personal ways. Imagine how strange we would look without lips. In fact, lips are part of what define us and there are all shapes and sizes of lips. From plump to thin, big to small, lips are as unique as our personalities.
Lips are generally tied to symbols of sexuality and sensuality. This is probably because it feels great to kiss people, but many don’t know why it feels so good. Part of the reason is that there are more than a million different nerve endings in the lips which make the lips one of the most sensitive parts of our body.
The part of our upper lips that curves is affectionately known as Cupid’s Bow. The reasoning makes sense as you can probably image the upper lip having the outlines that is similar to the shape of a bow. Cupid is the representation of attraction, affection and love so if you see the lips tattoo with the upper part outlined like a bow or an arrow added to the pictures, it probably is a representation of these characteristics.
An interesting fact about our lips is that we never get pimples directly on them or sweat. They don’t have any sweat or oil glands so that means they won’t break out at all. This makes our lips even more attractive as they usually will look nice and smooth. However, this isn’t the case if you don’t keep them moisturized. Because the lips don’t have oil glands, there is nothing that will protect them.
That being said, you also have to protect your lips from the sun as they are extremely sensitive and will burn. Our lips should really get UV protection everyday and this is especially true if you work outside in the sun. They are just like the rest of our skin and if you don’t take care, you might see your lips getting a great deal of damage.
In a lip tattoo, you can convey a great deal of emotions. The slightest curl of a lip or crease in the corner of your moth can give away how you are feeling in a heartbeat so image the different emotions you can portray through getting a lip tattoo.
The key to making sure you get a great lip tattoo is by finding a tattoo artist that does the style that you’d like. If you are looking for bold outlines and colors, you could probably find an American traditional tattoo artist that would do a great job but don’t go to that kind of artist if you are looking for a realistic lip tattoo because they might not give you what you want. Like most realism tattoos, the realistic lips tattoo is not an easy image to capture.
The point is to make sure you do your research before you go into a tattoo shop and ask for the next artist. In times like these, almost every artist has an online portfolio that you can visit to make sure they do the kind of work you like.
On the other hand, we know it isn’t an easy task to find a tattoo artist that is good and close to you. This is what we are here for so if you have any questions or concerns, reach out to us. We have years of experience in matching up customers to tattoo artists that will do a great job. Our goal is to make sure you are happy with the results and by helping you, we know we can put you in touch with the right people.
A tattoo is going to be on you for a long time so don’t take the search lightly. Make sure you are happy with your results.