People Claim These Tattoos Signal Major Red Flags On People, Here Are 40 Of The Worst Ones
InterviewFor thousands of years, humans have marked their bodies with permanent designs known as tattoos. They have varied from plain, sometimes elaborate, other times symbolic, but always personal, and these inkings have served as amulets, status symbols, declarations of love, signs of religious beliefs, adornments and even forms of punishment.
No wonder people’s fascination with tattoos remains stronger than ever. While there’s still some stigma about them in our society, a more progressive approach to our bodies, identity, and self-expression is emerging.
At the same time, some people are slightly more skeptical towards body art. They even claim that particular designs, symbols, and body areas where a tattoo is placed can be read as a warning sign. “What sort of tattoo on someone is a major red flag for you?” someone asked on Ask Reddit, and we looked at what people had to say. Let us know if you agree or disagree with them in the comments!
We also reached out to Alex Alvarado, a tattoo artist at Santo Cuervo studio, and Adam, the studio manager at Vagabond Tattoo based in East London, who shared a couple of insights into tattoo art from the experts’ perspective.
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The Confederate Flag is literally a red flag
According to tattoo artist Alvarado, you can tell a lot about a person from their tattoos. “I’d venture to say you could even guess nationality based on what style of tattoos they have, but the most obvious answer to me would be how much they have (or haven’t) invested in their tattoos,” he said.
Alvarado argues that this isn’t only monetary investment but also in terms of research, time, and dedication. “Getting a good tattoo is sometimes a very multi-faceted process that could even include travelling to see a specific artist. Things like this can tell you how knowledgeable, patient and committed a tattooed person can be.”
Any kind of hate symbol/speech is going to be a no from me.
It's a racist and then turns part of its skin black to show you its a racist. Mf morons
Frankly, I only judge people for racist tattoos. I don't care otherwise nor do I care where people put their tattoos.
I do tend to judge people with bad tattoos but solely because it generally means a) you didn't care to do your research or b) you're a cheap f**k. But I try not to just for the few people out there that got scammed by someone saying they were something they weren't.
And when it comes to the tattoo trends, Alvarado said that there are a multitude of them going on right now and it would depend on where you live, mostly.
“Custom lettering seems really popular at the moment. I’ve seen a lot of very delicate, very intricate Korean-style tattoos lately, and on the opposite end of that, there’s a lot of heavy blackouts going on as well, but it seems all styles seem to be flourishing and being taken to the next level all over the world.” He added that he is mainly a realism artist “and the art I see on social media nowadays usually leaves me in total awe!”
Childhood characters doing something unsavory. Like Winnie the Pooh in a dominatrix outfit. Decapitated Pikachu. Something like that.
Anything political or weed-related. It tells me that has become their identity, basically.
And when it comes to tattoos that seem to be out of fashion, Alvarado said that from what he can see, the '90s tribal style is definitely on its way out. “The majority of cover-ups we’ve done at my studio usually involve some sort of tribal that the client got ages ago when they were ‘cool’ but no longer reflects their taste and personality. But with trends being so cyclical, who knows, maybe tribal will come back in a big way soon!”
Baby’s faces, find it really unnerving, especially on the calf or top of arm. Why does it keep looking at me?
Adorable photograph of a sweet sleeping baby on the left. The love child of Gollum and Sloth on the right.
Anything in a language they don’t speak/have a connection to
Yeah, big regret for me there. Being 19 and stupid, I would seriously like to get rid of it, totally screams whitetrash while at the beach now 😐
The number 88. It's used in the Aryan Brotherhood as an abbreviation for Hail Hitler (explanation: H is the 8th letter of the alphabet)
Meanwhile, Adam, the studio manager at Vagabond Tattoo parlor, argues the opposite. He believes that tattoos don't really say anything. “There are so many different styles out there at the moment and it's so varied that you have people with different styles tattooed on them.” Having said that, Adam added that “one thing I would say is that if someone has a body suit or a large-scale piece, then they are a committed, dedicated person!”
'Live, Laugh, Love'
That's already overused as a wall decoration, and she put it on her body 🤦🏿♂️
When asked what kind of tattoos have been trending lately, Adam said it’s tribal tattoos that are having a comeback at the moment, but in a new form. “I've seen lots of biomechanical-esque tribal recently, so that may be a new trend.” Moreover, Adam said that “the 'fine line' style is probably the most popular but I don't think anything is the least fashionable right now,” when asked about tattoos which have gone out of style.
“Loyalty” The people I see with this tattoo, they usually don’t appear to be the loyal type
Sort: Exes names
Placement: Face
As the Covid-19 pandemic is over and people are getting back to their normal lives, you may wonder if the initial pandemic-induced surge in people’s interest in getting some ink is over. However, Adam said they have been pretty consistent throughout the pandemic and post-pandemic. “I'd say once we came out of each lockdown was the busiest time period with people wanting to get a tattoo,” he added.
Anything misspelled.
Years ago I passed a tattoo studio with sample art outside. Didn't ponder too long whether I should get a GARFEILD (the cat) tattoo.
eyeball. As in having your eyeball colored permanently. No, just no. Use cool contacts. Dont take the chance of blinding yourself.
Tear drop under the eye
A teardrop under the eye, if just an outline, Usually means the wearer has suffered pain, or more likely caused pain, or served significant time, for their associates (gang). Perhaps 15 years. A filled- in solid teardrop Usually means the wearer has caused death for their associates (gang).
I thought it meant they made bad choices. I have seen it some quite young people
And now that the summer heat is sizzling and everyone’s getting into the beach mood, more people than ever are willing to get themselves a piece of body art. “Summer is always peak tattoo season! As soon as you start showing more skin, then all you see is the empty space,” Adam told us. However, he added that it's probably the worst time to get a tattoo in terms of healing, but it's definitely their busiest time of the year.
Brand logos of any kind. If you like any corporation enough to get their logo tattooed on you, I’m guessing we have some major ideological differences.
So "Major ideological differences" is reason enough to put a list together, judging (mostly) innocent people for absolutely no reason? Yeah, mock the idiot racist tattoos all day long, but a lot of this list is just bullying people.
Like the subway guy who now gets free foot longs for life. Walking advertisment.
I'm only playing devil's advocate here. It's possible to use a logo as representation. The Miller witch is a tattoo my sister's and I have discussed, our last name was Miller and spirituality is something very prevalent in our family. So I'm only saying there may be a reason that isn't super trivial behind a logo. None of us have gotten it.
A friend of mine has a tattoo of a tractor brand. It is in remembrance of her father, a farmer who only used that brand of tractors. It does help that the brand is a deer so it doesn't look to obvious.
Yeah people get paid a lot of money to do this and it's pretty stupid.
My bestie has the NFL logo and it's awesome! (We're huge football fans so it makes sense). And the only tattoo my mom has ever wanted was a Green Bay "G". 🤷♀️
I would never tatoo a brand on myself but yes we have some major ideological differences!
Comedy and tragedy masks. First three people I hooked up with had them in places you couldn’t see with clothes on.
Apparently I have a type.
If I unwrap another human and find one, I may faint.
my coworker married another coworker.. Prior to that wedding.. he asked her to prove to her how much she loved him. So she got a tattoo on her neck with his last name on it.--BIG artistic letters.
Now.. mind you.. this man is a douchebag and a half. and they have "issues" in their marriage.. that tattoo just proves how much self love she had for HERSELF.. which is absolutely 0.
Now before any of you comment let me tell you what she is like. She's very introverted and never speaks up. this guy controls what she eats, what she wears, and he has no shame in telling us to shut the eff up, if we stick up for her... and HR doesn't do anything about it.
This girl still sticks with him. When we ask her why.. she gets quiet and says.. she doesn't have a car and begs us not to get involved.
SO seeing their partner's name on a very clearly visible area while the partner does not have any tatz is a major red flag.
A “Punisher” tattoo. Especially if they’re in any sort of authority position.
Biggest red flag is if it's a cop. The original punisher comic had him going after corrupt police and politicians. Police have since tried to claim the symbol means "no mercy". It's a massive red flag that whoever has it has temper issues and a lack of self control that they see as a badge of honor. F**k those people.
Erogenous zone.
I’m nobody’s idea of a love god, but I’m reasonably capable of finding your happy spots without garish billboards to guide the way. You’re a partner, not a cheesy amusement park.
A few encouraging words and movements is more than enough.
Lips on the neck
That... sounds like some ... uh... I would guess... trailer-park-girl stuff... What I think of when I read that...
I was once friends with a girl who had ten tattoos, all of which were matching tattoos with other girl friends. She’s no longer friends with any of them. Two big red flags there- intense codependent friendships, many enemies/falling outs with past friends. She even tried to get me to do a matching tattoo with her once. No thanks.
I do understand that, but some probably find it a funny/nice reminder of a time they lived through.
I used to work at an all purpose gas station in Pittsburgh, and was constantly told about a customer who had our store logo tattooed on his arm.
Didn't make me proud, made me feel like I was joining a very corporate cult.
A tattoo of their own face... Unless they're Steve-O.
An inspirational quote tatted on someone screams they're trying desperately to prove something to themselves.
Stupid baseless words like “Pay2play” or “Boss movezzzz”
It's rather inexplicable, but Tweety Bird tats attract the worst
Ever notice how almost any woman who exist with this type of tattoo (and lets face it, men simply don't get Tweety Bird tatts for whatever reason) tends to be SUPER unhealthy in their general lifestyle and life choices?
I know this guy with a tattoo across his collar bones that says “Uneducated genius"
Uneducated or otherwise, I would NEVER refer to him as any type of genius!
I think this might just be an Australian thing but having the southern cross tattoo anywhere is a red flag.
Don't know why it's specifically the southern cross but holy s**t every person I've ever met with that specific tattoo has been a walking red flag
It is the Australian version/meaning as the Confederate flag
I swear guys with roses on their hands are generally a**holes.
A rose on the hand typically tends to mean "if things get heated, I'm genuinely not above hitting the woman I'm with."
Being a tattooist for 11/12 years. Really in my eyes it’s usually people with not well done house tattoos who throw up the most red flags.
Thinking they are owed something and plain rude especially when someone is about to stab you lol
In no way am I trying to say house tattoos are bad what I’m saying is the sense of self entitlement and the need to have it done then and there breeds a different type of client that is usually rude or is an a*****e in my experience.
Zodiac signs
This is the best answer. You do you with the tattoos on your body.
Load More Replies...Aside from the ones that are racist or otherwise bigoted, this list is really judgmental.
If I could upvote this comment 100 times, I would. You hit the nail square on the head.
Load More Replies...I know quite a few that raise red flags from different regions, though these are more criminal than red flags. Clowns in Brazil mean you're a Cop K I L L E R (spacing because of possible BP censoring), Epaulettes in Russia mean you are a high ranking member of the Russian mafia, Roman Numeral 13 is tied to Latino Gangs, full traditional Japanese backpieces are tied pretty heavily to the Yakuza in Japan, etc. Aside from the ones with hateful natures, USA flags, getting someone else's name, or something in a language you don't understand, most of the ones on this list seem more like bad personal experiences from the posters.
I have tattoos that are markers for times in my life, they are mine, I have been through some rough times and I’m not ashamed of those times, my tattoos are there as both reminders of where I’ve been but also the things I love. Judge me in whatever way you wish but all that does is speak of who you are, it says nothing about me.
Some of these people should maybe look in the mirror and maybe the problem isn't the tattooed person after all...
As long as you don't have a nazi symbol or confederate white pride s**t on you, then I don't give a damn what tattoo's you have, this list is so f*****g judgy. jeez...
Very few on this list that I see as a red flag. Most are just "I don't like"
I can't see myself having tattoos, today I like this thing, tomorrow I don't, less headache.
Same. My rule is that if I decide I want a tattoo I have to wait a year. If I still want it, then I'll get it. I have no tattoos.
Load More Replies...I met this woman at a party once who had a lot of tattoos which she told me about when I took an interest. One of them was a tattoo of a fish, which she explained with major eye-rolls was a matching one she'd gotten with some girl she had a fling with while holidaying overseas. In a fit of romance they got matching tattoos of a fish and a bird. Because, you know, they love each other but they're from two different worlds. By the time I met her she was 100% over the whole thing and said it was a really stupid thing to do.
how many people are like me and searched this to see if any of their tattoos made this list?
Everyday people get paid to find more and more ways to make people hate each other. That's a trend now. Tattos? Really? How about "BLM", "Vegan", "Trans" tattoos? Those are the most poisonous people
The person that made this is trying really hard to let everyone know they arnt racist xD
I completely disagree with them not having a meaning. I have 32 tattoos and every single one has a special meaning behind it. It's my body and it tells my story
Why is people around here so fast to judge tattoos, that cause.no harm, but get eerily offended when someone mentions weight (which can kill). Ah, the hypocrisy of BP.
My goodness, according to these people there's almost no tattoos one can get!
What it all comes down to is YOU decide what a tattoo means to you. If it means anything. I could get a poo tattoo and it could be in memory of my mother. Who are you to judge.
people with their own last name tattooed on themselves... in case they forget?
I don't like this list. It's pretty clear to everyone that political or racist tattoos are a red flag and should be avoided and that tattoos with a special meaning (like the tear drop) are also... specific but all the others - let people live! I don't have any of these listed tattoos nor do I enjoy looking at them but let people be! I don't care if you have some tacky quote on your arm- as long as you don't judge my tattoos I don't care about yours.
little "breathe" or infinity symbols make me laugh, but I never bash them to the person that got them. I've got heaps of tattoos that are only important to me, and dgaf about what you put on your skin...unless they're racist or abusive or gang relatetd.
I'm failing to understand how some of these are "red flags" or what said supposed red flags are an indication of...
i think the best way to decide if you will really be happy with a tattoo in the long run is to think “god forbid, if i go missing, would i want this tattoo broadcasted to everyone?” weird way of thinking but hey, i’ve talked myself out of A LOT of bad tattoos using this method
I have a couple in mind. One to honour my cats that have gone on and make me hope for an after life. One because I am a pretty, pretty princess.
Yeah this list isn't it. Unless it's straight up racist or something then why should it matter what I put on my body.
I understand most of these but now your just saying all of these people are red flags or white trash...stop assuming....it just makes an a*s out of you and me! (a*s u me).
Dude do you like anything? You basically went over every popular type in the past 30 years. I'd rather see a bad tattoo with a great story than some shithead saying they got a 2000$ flower set on their a*s cheeks FoR tHEiR GrAnMoThEr
I like seeing the negative votes here. Makes it seem like the person might be a loner in their opinions lol
Fo me the only nice tattoos are the mom in heart tattoo and the typical sailor anchor tattoos.
Guys with tattoos on their face, neck or fingers are usually not above punching a woman in the face.
Never got a tattoo, considered it a few times. Haven't found something I must live with for life, or anything that important to me, or worth the expense... Never say never I suppose. I guess I see tattoos mostly as a status symbol. If you have that kind of money in your ink, you must be doing OK, but sometimes more dollars than sense. Peace.
I'm failing to understand how some of these are "red flags" or what said red flags are supposed to be an indication of...
All this article reconfirmed to me is that if someone tells you they're a tattoo artist that is a red flag for someone who believes they're superior to others, arrogant and plain and simple a dousche bag most of the time. Not all, but the majority of tattoo artist I've meet have been that way. I once lived above 1 when i was a young man still for a yr and he never spoke to me or my brother once. We weren't even bad neighbors, never had parties or was loud or anything we could figure out that would have pissed him off. So we made a point to always say hello when we crossed paths with him. The old kill them with kindness act gets to assholes the most.
I’ve never seen a post (submission? Idk the terminology) get more than 20 downvotes before. Holy cr*p yall
I wanted to get a tattoo for my 30th birthday, something like a sunflower, and my grandma appealed to my vanity and said, “You don’t want to ruin that perfect skin, now do you?” And I didn’t. Now I see tattoos as useless unless it is an actual cultural thing. Get it for yourself I guess, but don’t think anyone else thinks you are cool. And double check any spelling.
Monster energy drink symbol YEET YEET Symbol for Favorite brand of hunting apparel The dull green home done/prison tats
I am considering "DO NOT RESUSCITATE" across my chest, just under the scoop shirt neckline. I am older and have no desire to hang around a hospital emergency room or vegetate in ill health at a home. Have read many stories where the paperwork is not found and people are brought back when they didn't want to be. The only tattoo I consider now.
Tough one. You would have to be very, very sure of that. (Also I think some artists might refuse to do it?)
Load More Replies...How is wearing art on one's skin a red flag? Do you also dislike women who have pierced ears, or wear makeup? What if they color their hair? All of these are forms of creative self-expression, certainly not red flags.
Load More Replies...This is the best answer. You do you with the tattoos on your body.
Load More Replies...Aside from the ones that are racist or otherwise bigoted, this list is really judgmental.
If I could upvote this comment 100 times, I would. You hit the nail square on the head.
Load More Replies...I know quite a few that raise red flags from different regions, though these are more criminal than red flags. Clowns in Brazil mean you're a Cop K I L L E R (spacing because of possible BP censoring), Epaulettes in Russia mean you are a high ranking member of the Russian mafia, Roman Numeral 13 is tied to Latino Gangs, full traditional Japanese backpieces are tied pretty heavily to the Yakuza in Japan, etc. Aside from the ones with hateful natures, USA flags, getting someone else's name, or something in a language you don't understand, most of the ones on this list seem more like bad personal experiences from the posters.
I have tattoos that are markers for times in my life, they are mine, I have been through some rough times and I’m not ashamed of those times, my tattoos are there as both reminders of where I’ve been but also the things I love. Judge me in whatever way you wish but all that does is speak of who you are, it says nothing about me.
Some of these people should maybe look in the mirror and maybe the problem isn't the tattooed person after all...
As long as you don't have a nazi symbol or confederate white pride s**t on you, then I don't give a damn what tattoo's you have, this list is so f*****g judgy. jeez...
Very few on this list that I see as a red flag. Most are just "I don't like"
I can't see myself having tattoos, today I like this thing, tomorrow I don't, less headache.
Same. My rule is that if I decide I want a tattoo I have to wait a year. If I still want it, then I'll get it. I have no tattoos.
Load More Replies...I met this woman at a party once who had a lot of tattoos which she told me about when I took an interest. One of them was a tattoo of a fish, which she explained with major eye-rolls was a matching one she'd gotten with some girl she had a fling with while holidaying overseas. In a fit of romance they got matching tattoos of a fish and a bird. Because, you know, they love each other but they're from two different worlds. By the time I met her she was 100% over the whole thing and said it was a really stupid thing to do.
how many people are like me and searched this to see if any of their tattoos made this list?
Everyday people get paid to find more and more ways to make people hate each other. That's a trend now. Tattos? Really? How about "BLM", "Vegan", "Trans" tattoos? Those are the most poisonous people
The person that made this is trying really hard to let everyone know they arnt racist xD
I completely disagree with them not having a meaning. I have 32 tattoos and every single one has a special meaning behind it. It's my body and it tells my story
Why is people around here so fast to judge tattoos, that cause.no harm, but get eerily offended when someone mentions weight (which can kill). Ah, the hypocrisy of BP.
My goodness, according to these people there's almost no tattoos one can get!
What it all comes down to is YOU decide what a tattoo means to you. If it means anything. I could get a poo tattoo and it could be in memory of my mother. Who are you to judge.
people with their own last name tattooed on themselves... in case they forget?
I don't like this list. It's pretty clear to everyone that political or racist tattoos are a red flag and should be avoided and that tattoos with a special meaning (like the tear drop) are also... specific but all the others - let people live! I don't have any of these listed tattoos nor do I enjoy looking at them but let people be! I don't care if you have some tacky quote on your arm- as long as you don't judge my tattoos I don't care about yours.
little "breathe" or infinity symbols make me laugh, but I never bash them to the person that got them. I've got heaps of tattoos that are only important to me, and dgaf about what you put on your skin...unless they're racist or abusive or gang relatetd.
I'm failing to understand how some of these are "red flags" or what said supposed red flags are an indication of...
i think the best way to decide if you will really be happy with a tattoo in the long run is to think “god forbid, if i go missing, would i want this tattoo broadcasted to everyone?” weird way of thinking but hey, i’ve talked myself out of A LOT of bad tattoos using this method
I have a couple in mind. One to honour my cats that have gone on and make me hope for an after life. One because I am a pretty, pretty princess.
Yeah this list isn't it. Unless it's straight up racist or something then why should it matter what I put on my body.
I understand most of these but now your just saying all of these people are red flags or white trash...stop assuming....it just makes an a*s out of you and me! (a*s u me).
Dude do you like anything? You basically went over every popular type in the past 30 years. I'd rather see a bad tattoo with a great story than some shithead saying they got a 2000$ flower set on their a*s cheeks FoR tHEiR GrAnMoThEr
I like seeing the negative votes here. Makes it seem like the person might be a loner in their opinions lol
Fo me the only nice tattoos are the mom in heart tattoo and the typical sailor anchor tattoos.
Guys with tattoos on their face, neck or fingers are usually not above punching a woman in the face.
Never got a tattoo, considered it a few times. Haven't found something I must live with for life, or anything that important to me, or worth the expense... Never say never I suppose. I guess I see tattoos mostly as a status symbol. If you have that kind of money in your ink, you must be doing OK, but sometimes more dollars than sense. Peace.
I'm failing to understand how some of these are "red flags" or what said red flags are supposed to be an indication of...
All this article reconfirmed to me is that if someone tells you they're a tattoo artist that is a red flag for someone who believes they're superior to others, arrogant and plain and simple a dousche bag most of the time. Not all, but the majority of tattoo artist I've meet have been that way. I once lived above 1 when i was a young man still for a yr and he never spoke to me or my brother once. We weren't even bad neighbors, never had parties or was loud or anything we could figure out that would have pissed him off. So we made a point to always say hello when we crossed paths with him. The old kill them with kindness act gets to assholes the most.
I’ve never seen a post (submission? Idk the terminology) get more than 20 downvotes before. Holy cr*p yall
I wanted to get a tattoo for my 30th birthday, something like a sunflower, and my grandma appealed to my vanity and said, “You don’t want to ruin that perfect skin, now do you?” And I didn’t. Now I see tattoos as useless unless it is an actual cultural thing. Get it for yourself I guess, but don’t think anyone else thinks you are cool. And double check any spelling.
Monster energy drink symbol YEET YEET Symbol for Favorite brand of hunting apparel The dull green home done/prison tats
I am considering "DO NOT RESUSCITATE" across my chest, just under the scoop shirt neckline. I am older and have no desire to hang around a hospital emergency room or vegetate in ill health at a home. Have read many stories where the paperwork is not found and people are brought back when they didn't want to be. The only tattoo I consider now.
Tough one. You would have to be very, very sure of that. (Also I think some artists might refuse to do it?)
Load More Replies...How is wearing art on one's skin a red flag? Do you also dislike women who have pierced ears, or wear makeup? What if they color their hair? All of these are forms of creative self-expression, certainly not red flags.
Load More Replies...