Pentagram Tattoo Meaning

The pentagram is a popular tattoo, chosen for various and sometimes very different reasons depending on which of its many meanings the wearer intends — and it is a symbol where the orientation and context matter greatly, given its layered and sometimes opposite associations. People choose pentagram tattoos to represent the Wiccan or Neopagan faith and its connection to the elements and nature (the upright pentacle), protection (a protective symbol warding off evil), the five elements and the harmony of the spiritual and material, the human being and the microcosm, mathematical and cosmic perfection and harmony, an interest in the esoteric, magic, or the occult, a gothic or alternative aesthetic, or — in the inverted form — an embrace of the occult, the Satanic (for some), or a darker, transgressive, or rebellious meaning. The pentagram's meaning in a tattoo depends heavily on its orientation and the wearer's intent.

Upright or inverted — meaning and context matter The pentagram is a symbol where orientation and context are crucial. The upright pentagram or pentacle (point up, often in a circle) carries the positive meanings: the Wiccan faith and the elements, protection, spirit over matter, the human being, and perfection and harmony — chosen by Wiccans and Neopagans as a symbol of their faith and by others for protection, the elements, or the esoteric. The inverted pentagram (point down) carries the modern associations with the occult, the Satanic (for some who embrace it as such), and the dark or transgressive — chosen by some to express an embrace of the occult or Satanism, a darker or rebellious aesthetic, or (in some traditions) specific esoteric meanings. Because the inverted pentagram is widely read in popular culture as a symbol of the Satanic or evil, it sends a strong and specific message that should be chosen deliberately. It is worth being aware that the pentagram in general is sometimes misunderstood (the positive upright Wiccan pentacle is sometimes wrongly assumed to be 'evil'), so the wearer's intent and the symbol's orientation matter for how it is read.

Placement and style The pentagram's five-pointed-star form suits the forearm, chest, back, hand, or shoulder; the pentacle (in a circle) is often a focused, symmetrical piece. Fine-line, blackwork, ornamental, and esoteric/occult styles suit it; it is often combined with elemental, celestial, or occult symbols, or with the circle (pentacle). Wiccan pentacles are often rendered cleanly and may be combined with the elements, the triple moon, or other Wiccan symbols.

Common pairings The pentagram pairs naturally with the circle (the pentacle), with the four (or five) elements, with the moon and celestial symbols, with the triple moon and other Wiccan/Neopagan symbols, and with esoteric and occult motifs. The upright pentacle with elemental or Wiccan symbols expresses the faith; other combinations express the esoteric or the gothic.

Before you commit The pentagram is a layered symbol with positive meanings (the Wiccan faith, protection, the elements, perfection) and, especially in its inverted form, strong modern associations with the occult and the Satanic — so be deliberate about the orientation and the meaning you intend, as the symbol sends a strong and specific message that varies greatly with its form and context. The upright pentacle is a sacred symbol of the living Wiccan faith, meaningful to its adherents.