Arabic tattoos have been around forever and very popular for their mysterious looks and designs. Celebrities like Angelina Jolie, Selena Gomez, Rihanna, Zayn Malik and many others have Arabic tattoos.
Arabic calligraphy was originally a tool for communication and used for copying books especially the holy Quran. It evolved over 1400 years in various regions around the world. Some scripts reflect the time periods in which they were developed.
For the first three centuries of Islam, a style called Kufic, based on strict geometric principles spread from the Atlantic to Central Asia with around 20 different iterations. This angular style later gave way to the cursive Arabic scripts that still remain dominant to this day. As the practice of Islamic calligraphy expanded even further afield to China, Spain, India, Southeast Asia and West Africa, regional scripts emerged and are less influenced by classical styles and formal geometric codifications.
Arabic calligraphy is considered as a sacred art and still one of the most widely acknowledged arts used in traditional methods and digital arts as well as in tattoo designs.
Types of Arabic Tattoos
Arabic script is very mystical and when it is paired with a meaningful message or phrase, it becomes a piece of art. There are many different types of Arabic tattoos. It can be a name or an inspirational message, biblical or spiritual words. The cursive letters of Arabic language are so elegant and aesthetic that some people simply get it for its beauty and do not care about the meaning.
Placements of Arabic Tattoos
You can place an Arabic tattoo anywhere that you like. However, depending on the designs and sizes there are particular places where these tattoos look more appealing than others.
For small tattoos, words, names and mini art the best placements are:
- Neck
- Wrist
- Fingers
- Hands
- Ankle
- Behind the ear
For larger tattoos, Poems, Quotes and Phrases the best placements are:
- Rib cage
- Chest
- Forearm
- Shoulder blade
- Upper and lower back
- Upper arm and shoulder
Things you should know before getting an Arabic tattoo
Arabic is a beautiful language and the script looks really cool, so its not surprising that a lot of people are choosing to get their tattoos in Arabic. But unfortunately, there are lot of mistakes seen in Arabic tattoos and a lot of them are badly written.
To avoid any mistake, you should know and follow these:
- Arabic letters form words by connecting them together.
- Arabic alphabet is written and read from right to left.
- There are many Arabic dialects. Choose one dialect if you are getting a phrase or a sentence. Make sure the whole sentence is in one dialect. Same word can have different meanings in different dialects.
- Make sure to get the design translated before getting it permanently tattooed on your skin. Get an opinion from at least two or three people who can read and write Arabic.
- Do not rely on google translator only. It can give you some guidance but definitely not the best source.
Choosing the right Arabic Calligraphy and Script
If you are interested to get a quote or lettering tattoo in Arabic , then it is essential that you are clear about the style you want and also know a little bit about the background of that script.
The Most Common Tattoo Fonts in Arabic Calligraphy and their features are:
| Style | Features | Best suited for |
| Kufic | Thick lines, angular strokes | Bold tattoos |
| Naskh | Cursive everyday use – used in the Holy Qur’an | Elegant tattoos |
| Nasta‘liq | Created to write Persian, it has a hanging style | Artistic and decorative tattoos |
| Diwani | Heavily styled and challenging to read and write | Artistic and stylized tattoos |
| Thuluth | Decorative long vertical lines and spacing | Expressive tattoos |
| Ruq‘ah | Short strokes and simple curves | Simple tattoos |
Arabic Tattoo Designs and Ideas
Arabic Tattoos on Arm
Arabic Tattoos on Biceps
Arabic Tattoos on Chest
Arabic Tattoos on Forearm
Arabic Tattoos on Hand
Arabic Tattoos on Hip
Arabic Tattoos on Neck
Arabic Tattoos on Shoulder
Arabic Tattoos on Spine
Arabic Tattoos on Wrist
Arabic Tattoos with Meanings
Arabic Tattoo Love
Arabic Tattoo Faith
Celebrities with Arabic Tattoos
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