There really is nothing quite like the bond between dad and his son. Think of the hours spent playing catch or talking about the issues in the world. His advice is like no other, and a dad gives his son someone to look up to and strive to be when he has his own children. It's a lifelong bond that follows right into adulthood and when son becomes dad, too.
Many people opt to get tattoos to highlight these important relationships in life and father-son tattoos are one way to do that. While a lot of discussion and thinking needs to be in play before a permanent decision is made, browsing through ideas is a great way to do just that
We've rounded up some of the best father-son tattoos that will showcase how incredibly touching this relationship can be. If looking for inspiration to get a tattoo with dad is on the list of things to do, here are 18 that we've found to start the hunt off on the right foot.
I Love You
There are often characters that a dad and son associate with each other. Maybe it's a hero character that was watched over and over again, or an inside joke. These are great places to find inspiration because it highlights the link between the two.
Lion Roar
Lions have huge symbolism in tattoos and usually come with the connotation of bravery or overcoming something in life and making it through. This is a great animal choice for a dad son tattoo for those who have been through something big together. Extra touching if they persevered the challenge by leaning on each other.
An Arrow
Being able to spend the time together when getting a tattoo is part of the bond and reason for getting a matching tattoo. Also, choosing the same spot on the body to hold the same design will strengthen the message of a loving bond between the two. We also love how they chose to honor their name, showing true pride in their family.
Matching EKG
This tattoo is extra special because it's the exact heart rhythms captured on an EKG. The matching tattoos can symbolize the connection between the two. Not only is that special, but this is one of those tattoos that is even more magical when it has a little explanation behind it. The story behind this one is that these two actually got it to match one on mom, so really it is a family tattoo!
A Unique Design
Typically "tribal" tattoos aren't super respected in the tattoo world, but this is definitely an exception. This father and son duo decided to get a unusual and intricate tattoo on the biceps of their arms. It looks like both the tattoos are the exact same, and the linework is pretty great. The experience of getting the tattoo together we're sure was a huge bonding experience and sharing the same ink is so deeply personal.
Watercolor Arrows
Arrow tattoos can have several meanings, and according to ChronicInkTattoo, they often symbolize strength and finding a new direction in life. But there are also some sub-meanings, too, depending on what the arrow looks like — for example, if it's broken or in a bunch of arrows. This tattoo that both dad and son got has a beautiful wispy watercolor going through it.
Match Later On
Not all father son tattoos have to be done at the same time. This one comes with a sweet story of how 20 years later, a son went to the same tattoo artist as his dad to get the same tattoo all those year later. "Did Juan's on the left 20 yrs ago, did his sons for his 18th b-day. Thought it was special how Jose admired his dad's armband for almost his whole life," the tattoo artist wrote on Instagram.
One Tattoo Only
This one isn't a typical father-son tattoo, but the sentiment is the same. The little boy relies on his feeding tube to get enough fluids and his dad wanted to show support. Dad got a tattoo to match his son's MIC-KEY Button and now they, too, can match.
A Special Meaning
Tattoos are amazing in that they can highlight a very important memory or time in life and to others it just looks like art. Being able to get a matching tattoo with dad, as a son, is a fun way to hold that inside meaning between the two of you.
Grateful Dead
One thing dads and their sons can bond on is music. Perhaps there's a fun memory of dad taking his son to his first concert? Having that as the inspiration for a duo tattoo is a great place to start. Like this father and son family who got a tattoo to honor their love for each other – and the Grateful Dead.
Honoring a Loved One
Many people turn to tattoos as a way to memorialize a loved one who is gone too soon. It's a great comfort measure to have them or something that reminds us of them near us at all times. Being able to get something that honors a family member with dad is a special bonding moment to share forever.
Faith
It can be intimidating when making the decision to have a large tattoo that takes up a lot of real estate on the body. That fear goes down a little when the decision is made to go with someone else who is going to get the same tattoo. That's what this dad and son did — together.
The Last Name Carries On
There are a lot of things that a dad and son have in common. There may be some resemblance in the face or how tall they both are and of course, more often than not, dad and son share the same last name. It's a family bond that many families are proud of and it makes for a great tattoo.
They Work Together
When looking to get a tattoo with dad, there is this pressure to get the same tattoo, and that's what the majority of the duo tattoos look like. However, there is another direction this could go — tattoos that don't match but make a bigger picture when they're put together. Like this one with a fishing theme, it's beautiful.
Twin Tattoos
Here's another look at a great example of a tattoo for father and son that doesn't match exactly, but seeing the two together, we can tell that they tell a story. The dad received a tattoo sketch of a dad and the son got one of a young boy holding a red balloon.
Sailboats
If there's a hobby that both dad and son love to do together — like sailing — it's another great place to look for inspiration for a shared tattoo experience. Google Translate says the caption on this tattoo reads, "Father and son, thank you. A family tattoo, the last name is a mast."
A Little Fun
How about a little Spy vs Spy tattoo? This features the characters from the comic strip published by Mad magazine with the two agents (both called Spy) with their espionage tactics. This is a fun choice because they stand on their own, but together it's even funnier.
Similar Yet Different, Too
This father and son duo got Native American style orca whales tattoos with each of the inner designs being the same, but the main color different for each. This type of style — with it being similar but in one way different — is a subtle way to highlight the relationship between dad and son — similar but also individuals.
