Top 81 Best Small Turtle Tattoo Ideas

A turtle tattoo is naturally appealing for many collectors.

In small tattoo design, the turtle can be a focal point of many different styles and application, whether in color or black and gray.

The turtle often symbolizes patience and tenacity and is a sacred motif in Polynesian and Eastern Asian cultures.

The following list of top 81 small turtle ideas showcases an amazing array of skillfully executed designs, while towards the end of the gallery you’ll find useful FAQs to help further inform your tattoo decisions.

1. Technical Black and Gray Small Turtle Tattoos

Source: @kimkoss.ink via Instagram

Small Turtle Ankle Tattoos tattoo_studio_piixs_konstanz

Source: @tattoo_studio_piixs_konstanz via Instagram
Source: @kaya_piixs via Instagram

Small Turtle Forearm Tattoos bamorganictattoo

Source: @bamorganictattoo via Instagram

Small Black Turtle Tattoos cosmosaiste_tattoo

Source: @cosmosaiste_tattoo via Instagram

Small Black Turtle Tattoos tattoosbykelsey

Source: @tattoosbykelsey via Instagram

Source: @stbarthink via Instagram

Small Black Turtle Tattoos foorm_tattooist

Source: @foorm_tattooist via Instagram

Small Black Turtle Tattoos estellehediger

Source: @estellehediger via Instagram

Small Black Turtle Tattoos chupsinek_art

Source: @chupsinek_art via Instagram

2. Color Realism Small Turtle Tattoo Ideas

Small Realistic Turtle Tattoos kaique_lopes

Source: @kaique_lopes via Instagram

Small Realistic Turtle Tattoos ink.traveler

Source: @ink.traveler via Instagram

Small Turtle Upperarm Tattoos noemesystattoo

Source: @noemesystattoo via Instagram

Small Turtle Ankle Tattoos ringerink_omeae

Source: @ringerink_omeae via Instagram

Small Colored Turtle Tattoos annastella_tattoo

Source: @annastella_tattoo via Instagram

Small Colored Turtle Tattoos dr.pain.tattoos

Source: @dr.pain.tattoos via Instagram

Small Realistic Turtle Tattoos andy.leshy

Source: @andy.leshy via Instagram

3. Small Tattoo Designs for the Ankle

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Source: @cartelkyiv via Instagram

Source: @constan_tina via Instagram

Source: @den.veayra via Instagram

Small Turtle Ankle Tattoos elletattoos.ca

Source: @elletattoos.ca via Instagram

Source: @kyle.tattoos via Instagram

Small Turtle Ankle Tattoos la_wizarderie

Source: @la_wizarderie via Instagram

Small Turtle Ankle Tattoos lozzarachtattooer

Source: @lozzarachtattooer via Instagram

Small Turtle Ankle Tattoos monasila_tattoo

Source: @monasila_tattoo via Instagram

Small Turtle Ankle Tattoos natale_inksmith

Source: @natale_inksmith via Instagram

Source: @niettto_ via Instagram

Source: @ninschuck via Instagram

Small Turtle Ankle Tattoos raventattoozante

Source: @raventattoozante via Instagram

4. New Wave Small Turtle Tattoo Ideas

Small Colored Turtle Tattoos amybtattoos

Source: @amybtattoos via Instagram

Small Colored Turtle Tattoos beelee_tattoos

Source: @beelee_tattoos via Instagram

Small Colored Turtle Tattoos tat2christy

Source: @tat2christy via Instagram

Small Turtle Upperarm Tattoos leandro_lrb

Source: @leandro_lrb via Instagram

5. Geometric Small Turtle Tattoo Ideas

Source: @boratattoo via Instagram

Small Turtle Forearm Tattoos tattoochrisguell

Source: @tattoochrisguell via Instagram

Small Realistic Turtle Tattoos azaktattooer

Source: @azaktattooer via Instagram

6. Cartoon Style Small Turtle Tattoos

Small Colored Turtle Tattoos ffrazaotattoo

Source: @ffrazaotattoo via Instagram

Source: @_drcas via Instagram

Small Colored Turtle Tattoos julianeelyislame

Source: @julianeelyislame via Instagram

Small Colored Turtle Tattoos molawoife_tattoo

Source: @molawoife_tattoo via Instagram

Small Colored Turtle Tattoos oleg_kristallow

Source: @oleg_kristallow via Instagram

7. Innovative Shell Small Turtle Tattoos

Small Black Turtle Tattoos harriemeryink

Source: @harriemeryink via Instagram

Source: @v_inked_ via Instagram

Small Black Turtle Tattoos joinn_tattooer

Source: @joinn_tattooer via Instagram

Small Turtle Upperarm Tattoos robyntattooart

Source: @robyntattooart via Instagram

Small Turtle Upperarm Tattoos t.moretti.tattoo

Source: @t.moretti.tattoo via Instagram

Small Turtle Forearm Tattoos atansancheztattoo

Source: @atansancheztattoo via Instagram

8. Small Forearm Tattoo Ideas

Small Turtle Forearm Tattoos alec_tattoos

Source: @alec_tattoos via Instagram

Small Turtle Forearm Tattoos chupacabronterror

Source: @chupacabronterror via Instagram

Small Turtle Forearm Tattoos daisyhestertattoo

Source: @daisyhestertattoo via Instagram

Small Turtle Forearm Tattoos jow13tattoo

Source: @jow13tattoo via Instagram

9. Realistic Black and Gray Small Turtle Tattoo Designs

Small Realistic Turtle Tattoos bijoutattoos

Source: @bijoutattoos via Instagram

Small Realistic Turtle Tattoos fellina_ink

Source: @fellina_ink via Instagram

Small Realistic Turtle Tattoos gerardart_sdt

Source: @gerardart_sdt via Instagram

Small Realistic Turtle Tattoos jz_tattoo

Source: @jz_tattoo via Instagram

Small Realistic Turtle Tattoos kventintattoo

Source: @kventintattoo via Instagram

Source: @suyscene via Instagram

Source: @xenaink via Instagram

10. Tribal Small Turtle Tattoo Designs

Source: @alejacl_d via Instagram

Small Tribal Turtle Tattoos luisleyvatattoos

Source: @luisleyvatattoos via Instagram

Source: @marzel art via Instagram

Small Tribal Turtle Tattoos matteo.stefani.12

Source: @matteo.stefani.12 via Instagram

Source: @miiritattoo via Instagram

Small Tribal Turtle Tattoos morduba.art.tattoo

Source: @morduba.art.tattoo via Instagram

Small Tribal Turtle Tattoos polynesian_tattooartist

Source: @polynesian_tattooartist via Instagram

Small Tribal Turtle Tattoos sarkisyan_xciii

Source: @sarkisyan_xciii via Instagram

Small Tribal Turtle Tattoos tattooer_rana

Source: @tattooer_rana via Instagram

Small Turtle Ankle Tattoos fenceink_liro_tattoo

Source: @fenceink_liro_tattoo via Instagram

11. Small Turtle Tattoos for the Upper Arm

Small Turtle Upperarm Tattoos architex.lamachineinfernale

Source: @architex.lamachineinfernale via Instagram

Source: @doe.ink via Instagram

Small Turtle Upperarm Tattoos madebykaname

Source: @madebykaname via Instagram

Small Turtle Upperarm Tattoos metalmachinetattoo

Source: @metalmachinetattoo via Instagram
Source: @mmtattoo via Instagram

Small Turtle Upperarm Tattoos micro_man_

Source: @micro_man_ via Instagram

Small Turtle Upperarm Tattoos migarttattoo

Source: @migarttattoo via Instagram

Source: @miike_san via Instagram

Small Turtle Upperarm Tattoos ranhotattoo

Source: @ranhotattoo via Instagram

12. Traditional Black and Gray Small Turtle Tattoo Ideas

Small Black Turtle Tattoos new_tattoo_artist_

Source: @new_tattoo_artist_ via Instagram

Source: @nats_tats_91 via Instagram

Source: @ilch.dich via Instagram

Small Black Turtle Tattoos den_haag_tattoo_the_goose

Source: @den_haag_tattoo_the_goose via Instagram

Small Black Turtle Tattoos hapsflow.lauren

Source: @hapsflow.lauren via Instagram

Source: @mlt_tattoo via Instagram

Small Turtle Tattoo FAQs

What does a small turtle tattoo symbolize?

Turtle tattoos are reminders of patience, stability, and tenacity. Their lengthy lifespan is also suited for those wanting to experience longevity in their existence.

In symbolic sailor tattoo designs a simple turtle tattoo means the subject has crossed the equator.

What does a turtle represent in Polynesian Tribal tattoo?

According to Aitken Smith’s Tattoo Dictionary, the turtle represents the link between this life and the next in Polynesian cultures.

The turtle will help individuals move on to their next resting place, a concept which makes them a prominent subject in traditional tattooing and the wider creative arts.

Generally, the turtle will be incorporated into the wider tattoo story of an individual or used as the outline for a traditional design to work within.

What type of small turtle tattoo should I get?

The shell is the main emphasis in many turtle tattoos. These elements allow their owners a chance to get creative within an otherwise realistic style piece. Utilizing hibiscus flowers, maps, different patterns, and a range of linework and shading applications can create beautiful works of tattoo art.

For others, complete realism and black and gray or color is desirable, while for those with a more lighthearted view turtles can look wicked in cartoonish cute form.

Where should I place my small turtle tattoo?

A great thing about turtle body art is that it can be etched with precision and detail on an area the size of small change from your pocket. This allows the subject to choose practically any area in which to show off their ink.

For those who enjoy full visibility, the neck, hands, arms and lower legs are popular small turtle tattoo areas. If versatility in cover or discretion is more your thing, the back, ribs, shoulder, upper arm and thigh create options for each subject.

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